All posts by Martin

Martin M.H. lives outside Stockholm, Sweden. He is a M.Sc. in Computer Technology but he has been a passionate photographer for over 50 years. He started his photographic adventures when he was thirteen with an Agfamatic pocket camera, which he soon replaced with a Canon rangefinder camera that his mom gave him in his teenages. After that he has been using Canon SLR, Nikon SLR manual focus and Autofocus, Sony mirrorless crop sensor, Nikon DSLR and Nikon Mirrorless. He has photographed any genre he could throughout the years and you can see all kind of images in his portfolio. During the later years though it has been mostly landscape, nature, travel and some street/documentary photography.
7Artisans, lenses, Review

REVIEW: 7Artisans AF 10mm F2.5 MAX – Fisheye FF

8 Comments

Introduction

In the last 12 months, I have tested several 7Artisans AF lenses, and I have been pleasantly surprised every time. Most recently, I tested their amazing 135mm f/1.8 MAX.

Now, 7Artisans has introduced the second lens in its MAX series: a 10mm f/2.5 fisheye. It has at least three advantages over the fisheye lenses we have tested before: it offers autofocus, a slightly faster maximum aperture of f/2.5, and an even wider 185° angle of view.

Let’s see if this MAX lens is just as good as its sibling, the 135mm f/1.8 MAX.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Disclosure

7Artisans kindly provided this lens for testing and review purposes.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | 7Artisans 10mm f/2.5 Fisheye | f/3.2
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans 10mm f/2.5 Fisheye | f/2.5
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans 10mm f/2.5 Fisheye | f/3.2
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans 10mm f/2.5 Fisheye | f/8
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans 10mm f/2.5 Fisheye | f/2.5
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans 10mm f/2.5 Fisheye | f/7.1

Continue reading REVIEW: 7Artisans AF 10mm F2.5 MAX – Fisheye FF →

lenses, Review, Sirui

REVIEW: SIRUI AURORA 35mm F1.4

1 Comment

Introduction

Sirui entered the AF stills lens market in 2023, after having already established itself with a range of anamorphic lenses. We reviewed the AF Aurora 85mm last year, thanks to a reader who loaned his lens to Bastian. We were impressed by its overall performance, and especially by its bokeh.

The 35mm f/1.4 is the second lens in the Aurora series, and at $549, it appears to be fairly priced. However, 35mm f/1.4 is also one of the most competitive categories in the lens market, with numerous alternatives from both established manufacturers and smaller brands.

In this review, we take a closer look at how the Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 performs, and how it compares with its competition.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Disclosure

Sirui kindly loaned us this lens for a couple of weeks so we could test and review it.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.4

Continue reading REVIEW: SIRUI AURORA 35mm F1.4 →

Accessories, Review

REVIEW: Zhiyun FIVERAY M60 Ultra & Molus X100 RGB

2 Comments

Introduction

Many photographers use their still cameras, or sometimes dedicated video cameras to record video as well. Traditionally, still photographers have relied on speedlights or strobes, while videographers have needed large continuous lights.

Today, hybrid photographers and videographers, who often use the same camera for both, can choose from a range of compact, sometimes even pocketable, continuous lights that work for both photography and video. Modern continuous lights also have a major advantage over speedlights, strobes, and traditional video lights: you can adjust their color to match the existing light or balance different light sources in a mixed-lighting setup.

In this review, we’re looking at two such options from Zhiyun: the Fiveray M60 Ultra and the Molus X100 RGB. Both are compact, portable lights, but they take slightly different approaches to providing illumination for photography and video. We’ll look at their features, output, handling and performance in practice. Continue reading REVIEW: Zhiyun FIVERAY M60 Ultra & Molus X100 RGB →

Analogue, Color Negative, Travel-Report

Analogue Photography: Part 7 — Gran Canaria with Kodak Portra 400

6 Comments

Introduction

Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the northwest coast of Africa. A popular holiday destination for Europeans, the island is often described as a miniature continent, thanks to its remarkably diverse landscapes and microclimates. Long beaches and sweeping sand dunes give way to lush ravines, rugged volcanic mountains, and picturesque villages.

Kodak Portra 400 | Nikon F80

When I traveled to Gran Canaria earlier this year, I wanted to bring a roll of analog film to capture the island’s varied landscapes. From the Continue reading Analogue Photography: Part 7 — Gran Canaria with Kodak Portra 400 →

Uncategorized

REVIEW: Leofoto 25L All-in-One Travel & Camera Backpack

8 Comments

Introduction

One thing photographers never seem to have enough of is a really good camera bag or backpack. There is always something missing, and we’re always looking for that ultimate bag that does everything right.

I’m not sure if such a thing exists, but the Leofoto 25L All-in-One Backpack might come pretty close. Designed with photographers, commuters, and travelers in mind, Leofoto promises rugged protection, smart organization, and everyday versatility. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what it has to offer.

You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Continue reading REVIEW: Leofoto 25L All-in-One Travel & Camera Backpack →