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, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox AF 26mm 2.8 Evo FE

9 Comments

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 →

Canon EF-Mount, lenses, Nikon, Review, Sigma

Review: Sigma 24-35mm 2.0 Art DG HSM

9 Comments

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 →

Nikon, Nikon, Review, Vintage

Review: Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.2 Ai-s

7 Comments

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 →

Analogue, Color Negative, Leica M, Mr. Ding Studio

Analogue Adventures – Part 54: Kodak Ektar 25 (expired) C-41

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Kodak Ektar 25

Kodak Ektar 25 was a professional low ISO colour negative film first released in 1989. This film was already discontinued in 1994 and that probably makes it one of the oldest films I had a look at here. 
Processing (C-41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany, the pictures in this article are from one roll of film. I also took into account it expired some time ago and chose ISO12.

mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Hexar RF | Kodak Ektar 25 C-41 | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/4.0
mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Hexar RF | Kodak Ektar 25 C-41 | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/8.0
mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Hexar RF | Kodak Ektar 25 C-41 | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/1.8
mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Hexar RF | Kodak Ektar 25 C-41 | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/1.8
mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Hexar RF | Kodak Ektar 25 C-41 | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/1.8
mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Hexar RF | Kodak Ektar 25 C-41 | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/1.8

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 54: Kodak Ektar 25 (expired) C-41 →

Canon EF-Mount, Nikon, Review, Sigma, Sony E-mount

Review: Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art

7 Comments

Introduction

sigma 14mm 1.8 art dg hsm fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7ii a7rii a7rv a7v z6 z7 z8 z9 zf
Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art on Sony A7rII

In 2017 this Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art was a unique offering, being the fastest 14mm lens as well as the widest f/1.8 lens. In the meantime many lenses with similar specifications have been released for mirrorless cameras, so is there still a reason to consider the original? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

Sony A7III | Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art | f/1.8
sigma 14mm 1.8 art dg hsm fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7ii a7rii a7rv a7v z6 z7 z8 z9 zf
Sony A7III | Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art | f/1.8
sigma 14mm 1.8 art dg hsm fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7ii a7rii a7rv a7v z6 z7 z8 z9 zf
Sony A7III | Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art | f/1.8
sigma 14mm 1.8 art dg hsm fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7ii a7rii a7rv a7v z6 z7 z8 z9 zf
Sony A7III | Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art | f/1.8
sigma 14mm 1.8 art dg hsm fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7ii a7rii a7rv a7v z6 z7 z8 z9 zf
Sony A7III | Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art | f/1.8
sigma 14mm 1.8 art dg hsm fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7ii a7rii a7rv a7v z6 z7 z8 z9 zf
Sony A7III | Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art | f/1.8
sigma 14mm 1.8 art dg hsm fe review sharpness contrast bokeh astro milky way coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7ii a7rii a7rv a7v z6 z7 z8 z9 zf
Sony A7III | Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art | f/1.8

Continue reading Review: Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG Art →