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.
Miyazaki Sadayasu is known for making small and fast 50mm lenses. He started with a 50mm 1.3, followed by the famous 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar, the 50mm 1.5 Prasma and his latest (and fastest) creation is this MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM reviewed here.
Despite the staggering maximum aperture it is smaller and lighter than most of the other 50mm lenses, regardless of speed. But did Miyazaki go too far this time? Let’s have a closer look… Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10
Sample Images
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.4Leica M10 | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.0Leica M10 | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.4
Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP via metabones adapter on Sony A7rII
Back in 2018 Samyang – mostly known for cheap manual focus lenses like the 14mm 2.8 and the 85mm 1.4 at that time – wanted to show what they are capable of and released the first lens of their “Premium MF XP Series”, the Samyang 50mm f/1.2 XP. These faster XP lenses are only available for Canon EF mount and it seems they were devoid of any size constraints during development and even come with electronic contacts and electronic diaphragm controlled by the camera.
Despite all this it seems no one bought them though – was it due to bad marketing, lack in optical qualities or simply because of the massive size of these lenses? Let us find out in this review!
Sample Images
Sony A7rII | Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2Sony A7III | Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2Sony A7III | Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP | f/1.4
Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M via metabones adapter on Sony A7rII
After the TTArtisan 50mm 0.95 we got another unexpected 50mm 0.95 M-mount contender in 2020, this time from Zhong Yi, who already have some experience with making 50mm 0.95 lenses for other systems.
Let us try to found out who offers the better affordable f/0.95 for M-mount! This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.
Update: we had to wait 5 months, but the lens can finally be ordered now. Order from amazon.com or B&H for $799 (affiliate links)
Sample Images
Sony A7rII | Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M | f/0.95Sony A7rII | Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M | f/0.95Sony A7rII | Zhong YI 50mm 0.95 M | f/0.95
Leica M10. The Camera. Photography reduced to its essentials. This is what Leica says about this camera. If you care what I think of it: keep on reading.
Update: after one year with the Leica M10 I decided to revisit this article and add further notes where I found they may be helpful.
For many people owning a Leica camera is a dream. But why is that so? Is it simply the high price tag, the Bauhaus look or the huge “Made in Germany” writing, not hidden on a sticker at the bottom of the camera, but easily visible on the back?
It surely isn’t image quality or ease of use. You get more of both, elsewhere, for less. This is why Leica cameras are often perceived as vain men’s luxury items, that happen to be able to take photos from time to time.
Some time ago NiSi changed its name from NiSi filters to NiSi optics, if you ever wondered why, I can tell you now: because they also wanted to start producing lenses, not only filters.
The first lens aimed at photographers is this NiSi 15mm 4.0 Asph, let us have a look, if it is a viable alternative to the lenses of reknown manufacturers in this segment!
Sample Images
Sony A7RII | NiSi 15mm 4.0 | f/5.6Sony A7rII | NiSi 15mm 4.0 | f/4.0Sony A7rII | NiSi 15mm 4.0 | f/8.0
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