All posts by BastianK

My name is Bastian and I am your expert here when it comes to ultra wide angle lenses, super fast portrait lenses (ranging from a 50mm f/0.95 to a 200mm f/1.8) and I also have reviewed way too many 35mm lenses. Don't ask me anything about macro or wildlife shooting though.

Review: Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX DG HSM

Introduction

sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX DG HSM via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

During their EX era Sigma released two f/1.4 primes, the Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX HSM and this Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX HSM. The 50mm is a lens that can still be interesting today due to its good sharpness, appealing bokeh and very low price. Will the same hold true for this 85mm lens as well? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
sigma 85mm 1.4 ex dg hsm sony a7riii a7riv a7v a7iv a9 a9ii a1 nikon zf z5 z6 z7 z8 z9 z6iii sharpness bokeh resolution contrast review
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Sigma 85mm 1.4 EX DG HSM

Review: Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e

Introduction

mandler summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 seven element 7e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e on Leica M10

We have seen many new lens manufacturers from China and there are still more coming. This new manufacturer gave itself the name of a famous Leica designer: “Mandler”. And as their first lens they fittingly decided to bring us this Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e, which from the outside looks exactly like a Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV. Will it also perform like the vintage Leica lens? Let’s find out in this review. 
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

mandler summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 seven element 7e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e | f/2.0
mandler summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 seven element 7e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e | f/2.0
mandler summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 seven element 7e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e | f/2.0
mandler summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 seven element 7e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e | f/2.0
mandler summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 seven element 7e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e | f/2.0
mandler summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 seven element 7e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Mandler 35mm 2.0 7e

Review: Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo FE

Introduction

viltrox af 26mm 2.8 evo pancake compact sony a7rv a7v a7iv a7r3 a9ii a1 a7c 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting review
Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo on Sony A7rII

Pancake lenses are something I am always interested in, but so far none of the E-mount ones was really convincing. The best one until now was probably the Viltrox AF 28mm 4.5 Chip, but that lens came with one compromise too many: fixed aperture, no focus ring, no filter thread, janky sunstars. Now Viltrox is at it with a different formula: this Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo – which is in many ways inspired by Nikon’s Z 26mm 2.8 – looks like a fully fledged lens. Is this the pancake lens that Sony users have been waiting for? Let’s find out in this review! 

Sample Images

viltrox af 26mm 2.8 evo pancake compact sony a7rv a7v a7iv a7r3 a9ii a1 a7c 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting review
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo | f/8.0
viltrox af 26mm 2.8 evo pancake compact sony a7rv a7v a7iv a7r3 a9ii a1 a7c 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting review
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo | f/8.0
viltrox af 26mm 2.8 evo pancake compact sony a7rv a7v a7iv a7r3 a9ii a1 a7c 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting review
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo | f/2.8
viltrox af 26mm 2.8 evo pancake compact sony a7rv a7v a7iv a7r3 a9ii a1 a7c 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting review
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo | f/2.8
viltrox af 26mm 2.8 evo pancake compact sony a7rv a7v a7iv a7r3 a9ii a1 a7c 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting review
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo | f/2.8
viltrox af 26mm 2.8 evo pancake compact sony a7rv a7v a7iv a7r3 a9ii a1 a7c 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting review
Nikon Zf | Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo FE

Review: Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art DG HSM

Introduction

sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

In the mirrorless world we start to see more f/2.0 zoom lenses, a trend that started with the Canon RF 28-70mm 2.0L USM and Sony built upon with their Sony FE 28-70mm 2.0 GM and the Sony FE 50-150mm 2.0 GM. What is easily forgotten here: it was actually Sigma who first made a fullframe zoom lens with a constant f/2.0 aperture – already in 2015 and for DSLRS – the Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 DG HSM Art. Let’s have a closer look!

Sample Images

sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art | 24mm | f/2.0
sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art | 24mm | f/3.5
sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art | 24mm | f/2.0
sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art | 35mm | f/2.0
sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art | 35mm | f/8.0
sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art | 35mm | f/5.0
sigma 24-35mm 2.0 art dg hsm sony 42mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma nikon z6 z7 z8 z9 z7ii z6iii zf
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art | 24mm | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art DG HSM

Review: Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.2 Ai-s

Introduction

nikon 50mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 pre-ai tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai-s Nikkor on Nikon FM2n

In the 1970s Nikon was comparably busy releasing f/1.2 F-mount lenses and the last of them was this Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.2, first released in 1978. I already reviewed the first f/1.2 F-mount lens, the Nikon 55mm 1.2 from 1965, and also the famous and rare 58mm 1.2 Noct-Nikkor from 1977, so today we will have a look at a late sample of this Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.2 Ai-s.

Sample Images

nikon 50mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 pre-ai tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai-s | f/1.2
nikon 50mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 pre-ai tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai-s | f/1.2
nikon 50mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 pre-ai tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai-s | f/2.0 | Ai Denoise
nikon 50mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 pre-ai tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai-s | f/1.2
nikon 50mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 pre-ai tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai-s | f/4.0
nikon 50mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 pre-ai tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai-s | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.2 Ai-s