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.

Different Filter Stacks and what they mean for us: Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT

Introduction

filter stack comparison sony e nikon z fe leica m kolari UT

When Sony released the first affordable fullframe camera with the A7 in 2013 almost none of the enthusiast photographers were aware of issues related to filter stack differences. Filter stack describes what is in front of the sensor and different manufacturers decided to go for different thicknesses here that can influence how our lenses perform. If you stay within just one system this is usually not something to care about, but when adapting lenses it is very helpful to be aware of this topic.

In this article I try to tell you about these differences and for what lenses they matter, so you can find out if it is something that might affect you.

Continue reading Different Filter Stacks and what they mean for us: Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT

Review: Nikon AF 180mm 2.8D IF-ED

Introduction

nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 via adapter on Sony A7rII

With the rise of the 80-200mm f/2.8 zooms it seems the 180-200mm f/2.8 primes fell out of fashion, as for more than 20 years no manufacturer bothered to design a new lens like this (not counting a few third party macro options). While Canon last updated their 200mm 2.8 in 1996, Nikon never updated the optical design of their Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 since 1986. Is this still a worthwhile lens today? Let’s find out in this review. 

Sample Images

nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 D | Monster LA-FE2 | f/2.8
nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 D | Monster LA-FE2 | f/2.8
nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 D | Monster LA-FE2 | f/2.8
nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 D | Monster LA-FE2 | f/2.8
nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 D | Monster LA-FE2 | f/2.8
nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 D | Monster LA-FE2 | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Nikon AF 180mm 2.8D IF-ED

Review: Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton

Introduction

voigtländer 75mm 1.5 nokton leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton on Leica M10

Over the years Cosina has become really good at designing compact yet fast lenses and the Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton might be the epitome of that, as it offers a huge entrance pupil (= a lot of bokeh) for its size and weight. Let’s find out more about this intriguing lens together.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.
Update 06/24: complete update of the review

Sample Images

voigtländer 75mm 1.5 nokton leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5
voigtländer 75mm 1.5 nokton leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton | f/2.8
voigtländer 75mm 1.5 nokton leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton | f/2.8
voigtländer 75mm 1.5 nokton leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5
leica m10 review rangefinder messsucher comparison vergleich sony a7iii a7rii R2 42mp 24mp wide angle portrait
Leica M10 | Voigtlander VM 75mm 1.5 | f/1.5
voigtländer 75mm 1.5 nokton leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5
voigtländer 75mm 1.5 nokton leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Sony A7rII | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton | f/1.5

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton

Analogue Adventures – Part 31: Which Nikon F-mount film camera to get?

Introduction

Some of you may still remember the first part of this series, where I described what analogue cameras I had a look at and why I ultimately ended up with a Leica M6. An F-mount analogue camera was also in strong consideration, but I did not go for it because I did not want to buy a set of F-mount lenses – and the F-mount being a dead mount anyway. But in the meantime some things have changed, so here I am again…

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 31: Which Nikon F-mount film camera to get?

Review: Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 Collapsible

Introduction

thypoch eureka 50mm 2.0 collapsible compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 (extended) with hood on Leica M10

Thypoch’s third lens – after the Simera 28mm 1.4 and Simera 35mm 1.4 – is this Eureka 50mm 2.0. What is special about it: it is a collapsible lens that needs to be extended first in order to use it. The two wide angle lenses featured complex modern designs whereas this one takes more of a classic approach, so let’s find out what it is capable of.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

thypoch eureka 50mm 2.0 collapsible compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 | f/2.0
thypoch eureka 50mm 2.0 collapsible compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 | f/2.0
thypoch eureka 50mm 2.0 collapsible compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 | f/2.0
thypoch eureka 50mm 2.0 collapsible compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 | f/5.6
thypoch eureka 50mm 2.0 collapsible compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 | f/8.0

Continue reading Review: Thypoch Eureka 50mm 2.0 Collapsible