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

June 29, 2025 BastianK 60 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 09/25: new sample images added, Coma section updated

Sample Images

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

Laowa, Review, Sony E-mount

Review: Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF

June 26, 2025 BastianK 19 Comments

Introduction

laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare — Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF on Sony A7rII

In 2024 Laowa released their first AF lens, the Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF. Now 10mm is extremely wide, maybe too wide for some, so in mid 2025 they added a 12mm lens with AF to the lineup. Let’s have a look together at this Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G

June 21, 2025 BastianK 10 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g 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 35mm 1.8G via FTZ II on Nikon Z6

The Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G had been released in 2014 as cheaper alternative to the more expensive and heavier Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.4G from 2010. The 35mm 1.4G was a rather weak entry in Nikon’s AF-S prime lineup. Is this 35mm 1.8G actually the better lens? Let’s try to find out in this review.

Sample Images

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Review, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro

June 16, 2025 BastianK 25 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 — Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro on Sony A7rII

Released in 2019, the Viltrox 85mm 1.8 AF was one of Viltrox’ first fullframe lenses and has been an easy recommendation to anyone looking for an affordable 85mm 1.8 AF lens with great bokeh since. Six years later, in 2025, Viltrox released this Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro aimed at the higher end market. Will it also be an easy recommendation like the f/1.8 version? Let’s find out in this review!
Update June 17th, 2025: Bokeh comparison to Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora and Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM added

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro →

Canon EF-Mount, Review, Samyang

Review: Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP – A true hidden Gem

June 8, 2025 BastianK 15 Comments

Introduction

samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii — Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP via Sigma MC-11 on Sony A7rII

Released at the end of the DSLR era, these Samyang XP lenses had a very bad timing to begin with. And unlike many of Samyang’s other lenses, this Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP was only available for Canon EF-mount, where it faced fierce competition from the Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II, which also featured autofocus – and on a DSLR with its subpar focusing aids no one wants to give up on that. Today we have mirrorless cameras that actually work much better with manual lenses, time to find out, if this is an overlooked gem or just an outdated relic from the past.