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.

Analogue Adventures – Part 56: Nikon AF3 35mm 2.8

nikon af3 af 35mm 2.8 f/2.8 compact camera anlogue simple
Nikon AF3

Among all the Revueflex and Porst junk cameras I usually see on the local flea markets, I discovered the familiar “Nikon” logo on a compact analogue camera. The cameras was very dirty, there was no way of knowing if it actually works, but for 25 bucks I decided to take the gamble.

nikon af3 af 35mm 2.8 f/2.8 compact camera anlogue simple
Nikon AF3 | 35mm 2.8 | Gold 200 C-41
nikon af3 af 35mm 2.8 f/2.8 compact camera anlogue simple
Nikon AF3 | 35mm 2.8 | Gold 200 C-41
nikon af3 af 35mm 2.8 f/2.8 compact camera anlogue simple
Nikon AF3 | 35mm 2.8 | Gold 200 C-41
nikon af3 af 35mm 2.8 f/2.8 compact camera anlogue simple
Nikon AF3 | 35mm 2.8 | Gold 200 C-41
nikon af3 af 35mm 2.8 f/2.8 compact camera anlogue simple
Nikon AF3 | 35mm 2.8 | Gold 200 C-41
nikon af3 af 35mm 2.8 f/2.8 compact camera anlogue simple
Nikon AF3 | 35mm 2.8 | Gold 200 C-41

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 56: Nikon AF3 35mm 2.8 →

Review: Zeiss Otus 100mm 1.4 Apo Sonnar

Introduction

zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus Apo Sonnar on Sony A7rII

Released in 2019, the Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus Apo-Sonnar might actually be the last lens Zeiss designed for DSLRs. Having been released shortly after the Sigma 105mm 1.4 DG HSM Art – but costing 2.5 times as much – surely puts it in a tough spot. Is there a reason to still get this rare and exotic lens today? Let’s find out in this review! 

Sample Images

zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Sony A7III | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Sony A7III | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Sony A7III | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Sony A7III | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Sony A7III | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/1.4
zeiss 100mm 1.4 otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp sonnar planar
Sony A7III | Zeiss 100mm 1.4 Otus | f/4.0

Continue reading Review: Zeiss Otus 100mm 1.4 Apo Sonnar →

Review: Zeiss 28mm 2.0 Distagon ZE/ZF/ZF.2

Introduction

zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 on Nikon FM2n

We haven’t seen a lot of exciting fast 28mm primes for the mirrorless mounts (yet), so today I am having a look at the Zeiss 28mm 2.0 Distagon (ZF.2 version) first released in 2009. Is there still a reason to consider this lens today or will it suffer the same fate as the Zeiss 18mm 3.5 Distagon I previously reviewed? Let’s find out!

Sample Images

zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 | f/2.0
zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 | f/2.0
zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 | f/2.0
zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 | f/2.0
zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 | f/2.0
zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 | f/3.2
zeiss 28mm 2.0 milvus classic t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Zeiss 28mm 2.0 ZF.2 | f/4.0

Continue reading Review: Zeiss 28mm 2.0 Distagon ZE/ZF/ZF.2 →

Review: Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 AF Voyager

Introduction

review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 AF FE Voyager on Sony A7rII

By mid 2026 we have seen a lot of lenses from the Chinese manufacturers: some with class leading optical performance, some with unique specifications, some very affordable. There is one thing we haven’t seen yet though (at least not that I can recall): an autofocussing zoom lens. I would have first expected a lens like that from Viltrox, Laowa or 7Artisans, but it is Thypoch – so far specialized in all manual M-mount lenses – bringing a lens like this to the market: the Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 Voyager. Did they succeed in designing a lens like this, or was it too ambitious? Let’s find out together in this review! 
Update 08/26: I received a mass production sample and had a look if there are any changes compared to the pre production model, but I found it to perform identically. After some delay the lens finally ships to the buyers.

Sample Images

review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 | 24mm | f/5.6
review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 | 50mm | f/2.8
review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 | 24mm | f/5.6
review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 | 50mm | f/8.0
review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 | 24mm | f/2.8
review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 | 24mm | f/2.8
review thypoch dzo dzofilm 24-50mm 2.8 voyager af fe sony e-mount fe-mount fe lens contrast resolution sony a7riv a7rv a7v a9 a1 a9ii 42mp 24mp 61mp zomm bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 | 24mm | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Thypoch 24-50mm 2.8 AF Voyager →

Comparison: Super Fast 35mm f/1.2 AF Fullframe Lenses in 2026

Introduction

z 35mm 1.2 s nikon nikkor prime f/1.2 super fast 42mp 61mp 24mp nikon zf z6iii z8 z7ii z9 review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma AF
Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S Nikkor | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 LAB FE N | Sigma 35mm 1.2 DG Art II

The year 2025 was the year of the 35mm 1.2 fullframe lenses, as we saw Nikon and Viltrox releasing their first lens with these specifications and Sigma updating their original 35mm 1.2 Art lens from 2019, releasing a completely overhauled second generation model.

How do these lenses compare? Where does the more affordable Viltrox lens stand compared to the lenses from the reknown manufacturers from Japan? Let’s find out all that and more in this comparison.

Continue reading Comparison: Super Fast 35mm f/1.2 AF Fullframe Lenses in 2026 →