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: Carl Zeiss Jena 183mm 1.9 Visionar

Introduction

projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 183mm 1.9
Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 on Sony A7rII

After I tried the Visionar 109mm 1.6 I became quite interested in this line of projector lenses as they offer quite a lot of glass for the money. The 183mm 1.9 is the second longest and extreme of the line. So if you are interested in the look of a 180mm 2.0 but don’t want to spend more than 500€ be sure to keep reading!

Sample Images

carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f/1.9
carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f/1.9
carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f/1.9

Continue reading Review: Carl Zeiss Jena 183mm 1.9 Visionar

Review: Sony RX1RII Sonnar 35mm 2.0

Introduction

sony rx1r rx1r2 rx1rm2 mark2 mk2 rx1 sonnar 35mm 2.0 review a7rii
Sony RX1RII with Sonnar 35mm 2.0 lens

We still have no 35mm f/2.0 or f/1.8 with AF for the A7 series cameras, but the Sony RX1RII with the highly regarded Sonnar 35mm f/2.0 is finally coming down in price. So let us find out what this package has to offer.

Sample Images

sony rx1r rx1r2 rx1rm2 mark2 mk2 rx1 sonnar 35mm 2.0 review a7rii
Sony RX1RII | Sonnar 35mm 2.0 | f/2.0
sony rx1r rx1r2 rx1rm2 mark2 mk2 rx1 sonnar 35mm 2.0 review a7rii
Sony RX1RII | Sonnar 35mm 2.0 | f/2.0
sony rx1r rx1r2 rx1rm2 mark2 mk2 rx1 sonnar 35mm 2.0 review a7rii
Sony RX1RII | Sonnar 35mm 2.0 | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: Sony RX1RII Sonnar 35mm 2.0

Review: Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168mm 1.9

Introduction

projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 168mm 1.9
Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168mm 1.9 on Sony A7rII

After I tried the Visionar 109mm 1.6 I became quite interested in this line of projector lenses as they offer quite a lot of glass for the money. The 168mm 1.9 is the third longest of the line. It is quite a bit ligther than the two longer ones, so is it a good compromise?

Sample Images

carl zeiss jena visionar 168mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168mm 1.9 | f/1.9
carl zeiss jena visionar 168mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168mm 1.9 | f/1.9
carl zeiss jena visionar 168mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168mm 1.9 | f/1.9

Continue reading Review: Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168mm 1.9

Review: PocketPano Vario XL panorama adapter

Introduction

Sony A7s | Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA | f/1.8 | ISO6400 | 13s | panorama from 14 shots

A panorama adapter can be a great addition to your kit, as it allows you to create shots with a wider field of view (up to 360° panoramas) and also vastly improves the image quality in any of your shots (e.g. in astrophotography). Unfortunately most pano adapters are either bulky and heavy, very expensive or cheaply made junk. A compact yet affordable and at the same time sturdy pano adapter was missing so far and pocketPANO tries to fill this gap. Let us find out if they managed to succeed!

Continue reading Review: PocketPano Vario XL panorama adapter