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.

Accessories, Opinion, Review

Short-Review: Benro 150mm Filterholder for Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0 L

December 2, 2018 BastianK 8 Comments

Introduction

Benro 150mm Filter Holder for Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0 L

I am always looking for new photography related accessories that might be useful for what I do. Furthermore when holding a workshop or going out with other photographers I constantly have a closer look at other equipment that I wouldn’t have bought myself to see how it works in the field.

Unfortunately every once in a while I come across a product flawed by design (sometimes deeply) and then usually the Team of phillipreeve.net has the misfortune of listening to my complaints. They suggested to make a series out of this so others might be warned about these products. This is one of these flawed products.

Continue reading Short-Review: Benro 150mm Filterholder for Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0 L →

Leica M, lenses, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton

November 18, 2018 BastianK 68 Comments

Introduction

review voigtlander 50mm 1.2 nokton vm leica m mount rangefinder messsucher sony adapted a7rII a7riii a7r3 a7rm3 helicoid 42mp — Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton via Hawk’s Factory helicoid adapter on Sony A7rII

After Voigtlander gave us the 40mm 1.2 we now also get a 50mm 1.2. Is it just a slightly longer version of the 40mm or actually a better lens in the end? Read on to find out.
Update Oct. 2023: general update of the whole review

This lens is also part of my Comparison of 6 Super Fast 50mm M-mount Lenses together with the Leica 50mm 0.95 Noctilux-M, the Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M, the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.0 Nokton, MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM and Mr. Ding 50mm 1.1.

Sample Images

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Accessories, Review, Sony E-mount, Zeiss

Review: PocketPano Loxia Lens-Grip

November 15, 2018 BastianK 23 Comments

Introduction

pocket pano loxia lens grip zeiss 21mm 2.8 50mm 2.0 35mm 85mm 2.4 25mm — PocketPano Loxia Lens-Grip

If there is one thing not to like about the Zeiss Loxia lenses it is that there is nowhere to grab them to mount or unmount. Lutz from PocketPano came up with the idea of the “Loxia Lens-Grip” that I will review here.

Continue reading Review: PocketPano Loxia Lens-Grip →

lenses, Sony E-mount

Review: SLRmagic 35mm 1.2 Cine

September 12, 2018 BastianK 40 Comments

Introduction

review slr magic cine fe 35mm 1.2 f/1.2 full frame e-mount a7rii a7riii 42mp — Sony A7rII with SLRmagic 35mm 1.2 Cine

None of us is an expert in videography so usually we don’t review Cine lenses. This SLRmagic has very interesting specifications though, being very fast, compact and at the same time affordable. Unfortunately there is no non-cine version, so this time we have no choice it seems.

Sample Images

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lenses, Review, Sony E-mount

Long-Term Review: Zeiss Loxia 85mm 2.4

August 4, 2018 BastianK 79 Comments

Introduction

carl zeiss loxia 85mm 2.0 sonnar sony a7 a7r a7r2 a7rm2 alpha alpha7 review — Sony A7rII with Zeiss Loxia 85mm 2.4 Sonnar

The high price tag combined with the modest maximum aperture put many potential buyers off. Nonetheless personally I have used this lens regularly for almost two years now and thought it is time to share my experience in this long-term review.
Last Update: 08/03/18: long time experiences after ~2 years of usage added