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: Canon EF 70-200m 4.0L USM

Introduction

Sony A7rII with Sigma MC-11 and Canon EF 70-200mm 4.0 L USM
Sony A7rII with Sigma MC-11 and Canon EF 70-200mm 4.0 L USM

For a long time I have been searching for a lightweight telezoom with very good optical properties, well defined sunstars and a justifiable price. By chance I  came along some nice photos my friend Chris from Cologne took with his Canon EF 70-200mm 4.0 L USM and after talking to him he even offered to lend me the lens for a review. So find out if my search has finally come to an end!

Sample Images

canon ef 70-200 mm 4.0 l non is usm sony a7 series adapter mc-11 commlite
Sony A7rII |Canon EF 70-200mm 4.0 L | 165mm f/4.0
canon ef 70-200 mm 4.0 l non is usm sony a7 series adapter mc-11 commlite
Sony A7rII |Canon EF 70-200mm 4.0 L | 70mm f/11.0 | full resolution
canon ef 70-200 mm 4.0 l non is usm sony a7 series adapter mc-11 commlite
Sony A7rII |Canon EF 70-200mm 4.0 L | 70mm f/4.0 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Canon EF 70-200m 4.0L USM

Review: Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0

Introduction

Sony A7s with Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)
Sony A7s with Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0 is actually a copy of the Zeiss Sonnar 85mm 2.0 and was produced in the UDSSR after WWII. This is my favourite among the Jupiter lenses tested so far, read on to find out why!

Sample Images

jupiter 9 85mm 2.0 soviet bokeh portrait sony a7 review e-mount leica
Sony A7s | Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0 | f/2.0
jupiter 9 85mm 2.0 soviet bokeh portrait sony a7 review e-mount leica close focus flower tulip
Sony A7s | Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0 | f/2.0 | full resolution
jupiter 9 85mm 2.0 soviet bokeh portrait sony a7 review e-mount landscape water waterfall long exposure nd filter
Sony A7s | Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0 | f/11 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0

My transition from Nikon to Sony

Introduction

transition from nikon to sony a7rii d800

As many of you may have noticed when reading my reviews I am a former Nikon DSLR-user. In the past I had a D40, D5000, D300, D700 and still have a D800 (which is also for sale right now).
I was never unhappy with the results I got from these cameras and I think the Nikon engineers are the best at getting the most out of the Sony sensors. Still I ended up selling most of my Nikon gear. In case you are interested to find out more about this story be welcome to read on!

Continue reading My transition from Nikon to Sony

Review: Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8

Introduction

Sony A7s with Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)
Sony A7s with Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 is a copy of the Zeiss Biogon 35mm 2.8 and was produced in the UDSSR after WWII. The Jupiter lenses belong to the very few “lowcost” rangefinder lenses, but what do they have in store in terms of optical quality? Read on to find out.

Sample Images

jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 sony a7s sony-e mount stuttgart blue hour opera oper
Sony A7s | Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 | f/11 | full resolution
jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 sony a7s sony-e mount schwarzwald black forest long exposure nd filter
Sony A7s | Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 | f/11 | full resolution
jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 sony a7s sony-e mount stuttgart
Sony A7s | Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 | f/2.8 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8

Filters for digital Photography

Introduction

filter title hitech lee cokin system slot in screw polarzier nd gnd
Sony A7s with Loxia 21mm 2.8 and Hitech 67mm Filter System

In the film era a vast amount of filters was needed to alter the colours, the temperature or to add certain effects to the photos. In digital photography many of these filters have become pretty much useless as they can be recreated in post processing with the added bonus of more control over the effect without any disadvantages.
But there are also some useful filters which can’t be fully recreated in post processing and still have a place in digital photography and these are the ones I’m going to talk about.
Update 09/27/2016: at Photokina 2016 in Cologne I checked out all the big filter manufacturers and have updated some sections accordingly. I am also working closely with NiSi filters now – not just because I think their filters offer the best quality – but because they listen to their customers and I hope to be able to help them develope the first holder I find nothing to complain about 🙂

Continue reading Filters for digital Photography