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: Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5

Introduction

Sony A7s with Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)
Sony A7s with Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 is actually a copy of the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm 1.5 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-3 zenith sonnar sony a7s bokeh
Sony A7s | Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 | f/1.5 | full resolution
jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 sony alpha 7s bokeh portrait women head black and white
Sony A7s | Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 | f/1.5 | full resolution
jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 sony alpha 7s bokeh blue hour citylights vespa
Sony A7s | Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 | f/2.0 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5

Review: Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5

Introduction

Sony A7s with Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)
Sony A7s with Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Nokton 50mm 1.5 Asph by Voigtlander is a small and fast 50mm rangefinder lens and has become my favourite “allround” standard lens on the Sony A7s. Read on to find out, what there is to like about this lens!

Sample Images

voigtlander nokton 50mm 1.5 sony a7 blue hour paris sunstars
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 | f/11 | Copyright Tour Eiffel – illuminations Pierre Bideau | higher resolution
voigtlander nokton 50mm 1.5 sony a7 portrait bokeh
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 | f/1.5 | full resolution
voigtlander nokton 50mm 1.5 sony a7 architecture sky
Sony A7 | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 | f/8.0 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5

Review: Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 T* Biogon

Introduction

Sony A7s with Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0
Sony A7s with Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0

The Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 Biogon is one of Zeiss’ manual focus lenses specifially designed for E-mount cameras. The modern design, the aperture “de-click” feature and the transfer of Exif-data sets it apart from adapted lenses. Read on to learn how it fares optically.
Update: conlusion updated (06/05/2016)

Sample Images

sunstars zeiss loxia 35mm 2.0 fe e blue hour vernazza italy cinque terre sony a7s
Sony A7s | Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 | f/11 | panorama from 5 shots | higher resolution
close up zeiss loxia 35mm 2.0 bokeh blossom kirschblüte cherry sony a7s
Sony A7s | Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 | f/2 | full resolution
architecture loxia zeiss 35mm 2,0 biogon sony a7s
Sony A7s | Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 | f/2 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 T* Biogon

Review: Voigtländer 12mm 5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar

Introduction

ultra wide heliar a7 series 12mm 5.6
Sony A7s with Voigtländer Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm 5.6 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Voigtländer 12mm 5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar is actually one of the lenses I bought a camera from the A7 series for in the first place. It is worth to mention though, I am reviewing the old M39 version here. The newer Leica M version is optically the same, although there are other differences – apart from the lens mount – which I will talk about at the end of this review.

Sample Images

castle mannheim a7s 12mm 5.6 voigtländer ultra wide heliar
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Ultra Wide Heliar 5.6/12 | f/11 | full resolution
maulbronn monastery unesco world heritage 12mm 5.6 voigtländer a7s
Sony A7 | Voigtländer Ultra Wide Heliar 5.6/12 | f/11 | full resolution
abstract disneyland 12mm 5.6 ultra wide heliar voigtländer sony a7s
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Ultra Wide Heliar 5.6/12 | f/8

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer 12mm 5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar