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.

Accessory, Leica M, Review, Sony E-mount, Technical, TTArtisan

TTArtisan Leica M to E and M to Z 6-bit Adapter

May 10, 2023 BastianK 55 Comments

Introduction

ttartisan leica m to sony e adapter 6 bit code programmable exif — Voigtlander VM 75mm 1.5 via TTArtisan M->E 6-bit adapter on Sony A7rII

Since I bought my first E-mount camera seven years ago I have been using adapted M-mount lenses. Missing Exif data have always been a nuisance though and while the “Lens Compensation” camera app was a ray of hope, it didn’t exactly work all that well.
Now TTArtisan came up with a product which I have pitched to so many manufacturers before: a semi programmable Leica-M to Sony-E/Nikon-Z adapter. Let’s have a closer look!
Update August 2024: more information on the version for Nikon Z-mount (affiliate link) added

Continue reading TTArtisan Leica M to E and M to Z 6-bit Adapter →

lenses, Review, Sony, Sony E-mount

Review: Sony FE 20mm 1.8G

May 8, 2023 BastianK 26 Comments

Introduction

sony fe 20mm 1.8g review comparison a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp sharpness handling build quality — Sony FE 20mm 1.8G on Sony A7rII

There are plenty of great lenses available for fullframe E-mount cameras in the 20mm range, but it is said among those this Sony FE 20mm 1.8G is an outstanding, well-balanced highlight. A review was long overdue, so here we go.

Sample Image

sony fe 20mm 1.8g review comparison a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp sharpness bokeh sample — Sony A7III | Sony FE 20mm 1.8G | f/1.8

Continue reading Review: Sony FE 20mm 1.8G →

Analogue, Leica, Leica M, Voigtlander

Analogue Adventures – Part 18: Choosing a secondary Camera

May 4, 2023 BastianK 25 Comments

Introduction

If you followed my Analogue Adventures over the past year you probably noticed I have been shooting quite a bit of 35mm film lately. Doing that, I discovered things I like as well as things I don’t like. Either way, I decided to continue with these Analogue Adventures as I think there is still a lot to be learned for me, but I also decided to get a second analogue camera with M-mount for doing that.

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 18: Choosing a secondary Camera →

Laowa, Leica M, Review

Review: Laowa 15mm 2.0 Zero-D M-mount

April 30, 2023 BastianK 18 Comments

Introduction

laowa 15mm 2.0 zero-d m-mount leica m10 m10r m11 review sharpness contrast coma distortion vignetting 42mp 24mp 61mp — Laowa 15mm 2.0 M-mount on Leica M10

Photokina in 2016 was the first time I saw the Laowa 15mm 2.0 Zero-D for Sony E-mount, I bought it as soon as it was available and have used it since. Already at that time there was talk about the lens being released for M-mount but it never happened and admittedly I kinda forgot about it.
But what happened at CP+ 2023? We see an M-mount version of the Laowa 15mm 2.0 Zero-D. And for M-mount it might be even more spectacular, pushing the boundaries of the system quite a bit. So let’s see what has changed compared to the Sony version!
Lens is being reviewed on Sony A7rII and Leica M10

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Laowa 15mm 2.0 Zero-D M-mount →

Review, Samyang, Sony E-mount

Review: Samyang AF 24mm 1.8 FE

April 17, 2023 BastianK 30 Comments

Introduction

24 1.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh — Samyang FE 24mm 1.8 AF on Sony A7rII

The earlier Samyang lenses didn’t really impress me: dinky casing, lack of controls and severe issues with sample variation. This Samyang FE 24mm 1.8 AF was the first of a new generation of Samyang AF lenses though: customizable switch, focus hold button, rubber gasket and vastly improved materials. Did they finally hit the mark? Let’s find out in this review!