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: Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G

Introduction

nikon af-s 24mm 1.8 g 1.8g n rf ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G via Monster LA-FE1 on Sony A7rII

The last f/1.8 prime Nikon released during the AF-S era was this Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G from 2015. This would have been a great 35mm equivalent for DX shooters, but it was simply too late to the party for that. Some reviewers claimed this 24mm 1.8G to be a better lens than the five years older Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G. But is that really the case? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 24mm 1.8 g 1.8g n rf ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G | f/8.0
nikon af-s 24mm 1.8 g 1.8g n rf ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G | f/1.8
nikon af-s 24mm 1.8 g 1.8g n rf ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G | f/1.8
nikon af-s 24mm 1.8 g 1.8g n rf ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Monster LA-FE1 | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G | f/1.8
nikon af-s 24mm 1.8 g 1.8g n rf ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Monster LA-FE1 | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G | f/1.8
nikon af-s 24mm 1.8 g 1.8g n rf ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Monster LA-FE1 | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G | f/16

Continue reading Review: Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.8G

Review: Samyang Remaster Slim 21mm 3.5 | 28mm 3.5 | 32mm 2.8

Introduction

samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Samyang Remaster Sim 21mm 3.5 on Sony A7rII

Many lenses I review these days are simply “more of the same”: Another 35mm 2.0, 50mm 1.8 or 85mm 1.4 with minor differences compared to the competitors. This Samyang Remaster Slim kit is a different story though. It consists of a pancake sized AF module and three optical blocks (21mm 3.5, 28mm 3.5 and 32mm 2.8) that can be interchanged. The E-mount pancake lenses I reviewed so far all came with too many compromises and many didn’t even feature AF. Can this set of three be any good? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7III | Samyang Remaster Slim 21mm 3.5 AF | f/3.5
samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7rII | Samyang Remaster Slim 21mm 3.5 AF | f/8.0
samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7rII | Samyang Remaster Slim 21mm 3.5 AF | f/3.5
samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7rII | Samyang Remaster Slim 28mm 3.5 AF | f/4.5
samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7rII | Samyang Remaster Slim 28mm 3.5 AF | f/16
samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7rII | Samyang Remaster Slim 32mm 2.8 AF | f/8.0
samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7III | Samyang Remaster Slim 32mm 2.8 AF | f/2.8
samyang remaster slim 28mm 21mm 3.5 32mm 2.8 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma sunstars z6 z7 z8 z9 lightweight pancake small tiny
Sony A7rII | Samyang Remaster Slim 32mm 2.8 AF | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: Samyang Remaster Slim 21mm 3.5 | 28mm 3.5 | 32mm 2.8

Review: Mr. Ding Optics 35mm 1.8 Pactcron

Introduction

mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron on Leica M10

Compact 35mm lenses are very popular among the M-mount users and while they usually come with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 or f/2.0, Mr. Ding decided to go for f/1.8, making this a bit of a unique offering. The Mr. Ding 50mm 1.1 Noxlux became a favorite of mine and many others, can they repeat that success with this 35mm 1.8 Pactcron? Let’s try to find out in this review. 
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10 and some sample pictures taken on a Nikon Zf are also available.

Sample Images

mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Nikon Zf | 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
Nikon Zf | 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
Nikon Zf | 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
Nikon Zf | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/11
mr ding studio optics 35mm 1.8 classic summilux summicron leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma flare 42mp 61mp 24mp
Nikon Zf | 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
Leica M10 | 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
Leica M10 | Mr. Ding 35mm 1.8 Pactcron | f/1.8

Continue reading Review: Mr. Ding Optics 35mm 1.8 Pactcron

Analogue Adventures – Part 44: Kodak Elite Chrome 200 (expired)

Kodak Elite Chrome 200

Kodak Elite Chrome 200 is a daylight slide film that has been discontinued in 2011. Let’s have a closer look.
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 that has been exposed as ISO160.

nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/1.8 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/1.8 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/1.8 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/5.6 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/5.6 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/1.8 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 44: Kodak Elite Chrome 200 (expired)

Review: Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 FE

Introduction

viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF on Sony A7rII

We have already seen some affordable compact ultra wide angle lenses from the Chinese manufacturers, but so far none of them came with autofocus. Thanks to Viltrox this is about to change, so let’s have a look together at this Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 FE.

Sample Images

viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF | f/5.6
viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF | f/5.6
viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF | f/4.0
viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF | f/4.0
viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF | f/4.0 | Ai Denoise
viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF | f/4.0 | Ai Denoise
viltrox af 14mm 4.0 fe air small review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 AF | f/4.0

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 14mm 4.0 FE