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

Vivo X200 Ultra – The Death of the compact Camera

December 9, 2025 BastianK 69 Comments

Introduction

vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp — Vivo X200 Ultra with Photography Kit Case

I am not someone who buys a new smartphone every year – quite the opposite actually – but when I need a new one I always look for the one with the most capable cameras. I did that in 2019 and ended up with the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and when I needed a new phone in 2025, after a lot of research, I decided to go with the Vivo X200 Ultra. On paper this looks like the death of the 1″ sensor compact camera segment, so let’s have a closer look at this intriguing device.
Update 12/25: Extender lens sections added

Sample Images

vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp EXTENDER zeiss 2.35x 2,35 200mm — Vivo X200 Ultra | 2.35x Extender Lens | 200mm f/8.5 equiv

Continue reading Vivo X200 Ultra – The Death of the compact Camera →

Guides, Nikon, Nikon

The Rated list of the fast Nikon AF-S f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.0 F-mount Primes

December 6, 2025 BastianK 11 Comments

Introduction

All fast Nikon AF-S fullframe primes from 20 to 200mm

From 2004 to 2018 Nikon produced 14 different AF-S primes from 20 to 200mm for fullframe with maximum apertures ranging from f/1.4 to f/2.0. Among those the “Gold Ring” primes were the highlight of the F-mount lens lineup, mostly aimed at professional photographers, who were not satisfied by the light gathering capabilities of the f/2.8 zooms. The f/1.8 primes on the other hand were aimed at consumers looking for more affordable options. Some of these lenses can be found at very attractive prices on the used market today, so after having used all of them personally, I thought it was time to give you this overview.

Continue reading The Rated list of the fast Nikon AF-S f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.0 F-mount Primes →

7Artisans, Guides, Laowa, Mr. Ding Studio, Pergear, TTArtisan, Viltrox, Zhong Yi

The Best Fullframe Lenses from China

November 24, 2025 BastianK 49 Comments

Introduction

In 2023 there are plenty of lens manufacturers originating from China speaking to various different target audiences. While some are the Primark of the lens industry – simply trying to offer cheaper alternatives to the reknown manufacturers of lower quality – others have become the actual innovators in the photography lens business.
Having used more than 80 of those lenses from 15 different manufacturers I thought it is a good time to highlight the best ones I came across.
Update November 2025: many new lenses added, many of the lenses listed here are currently discounted thanks to Black Friday Promotions, currently discounted prices are marked in red

Continue reading The Best Fullframe Lenses from China →

Mr. Ding Studio, Nikon, Nikon Z

Review: Mr. Ding Optics 50mm 1.2 Noxlux Z

November 23, 2025 BastianK 22 Comments

Introduction

mr. ding optics studio 50mm 1.2 nikon z review m10 42mp 24mp sony a7rii contrast resolution bokeh coma noxlux — Mr. Ding 50mm 1.2 Z on Nikon Zf

The Mr. Ding Studio 50mm 1.1 Noxlux M has sadly been out of stock for quite some time, but in the meantime the manufacturer updated its design and the lens is now available as this Mr. Ding 50mm 1.2 Noxlux Z for Z-mount – with electronic contacts, still something rare to see among the manual focus lenses from China. Let’s have a look together.

This lens is in many aspects identical to the Mr. Ding 50mm 1.1 M and Syoptic 50mm 1.1, so I will reuse a few sections of my reviews of those lenses.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Mr. Ding Optics 50mm 1.2 Noxlux Z →

Analogue

Analogue Adventures – Part 46: Fujichrome Provia 400F (expired)

November 19, 2025 BastianK 2 Comments

I already had a look at Fujichrome Provia 400x and this time we will have a look at its predecessor, Provia 400F, another “half-Tungsten” higher ISO slide film.
Processing (E-6) was done at ProLab in Stuttgart, scanning was done by one of our readers via a DSLR. The pictures you see in this article are from one roll.