Category Archives: Nikon Z

REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Introduction

The Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S, designed primarily for demanding professionals and discerning enthusiasts, is one of the fastest autofocus lenses in the Nikkor Z lineup. While Nikon has a legacy of producing ultra-fast f/1.2 standard lenses, this is their first f/1.2 autofocus lens. Nikon’s history with f/1.2 lenses began in 1965 with the introduction of the Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2. This was followed by the legendary Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 in 1977 and the AI-Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 S in 1981. However, after the 1980s, Nikon took a break from producing f/1.2 lenses until the advent of the Z mount system in 2018.

With the larger Z mount, Nikon aimed to overcome the limitations of their previous f/1.2 lenses by incorporating new technology. As a result, the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S was launched in September 2020.

But did Nikon succeed in meeting these high expectations? Let’s find out!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images  taken with Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2

Continue reading REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Review: Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X – The Most Affordable 2X Macro?

Introduction

Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X
Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X

It seems to have become a trend among Chinese lens manufacturers to produce full-frame macro lenses with 2X magnification. Here, we have one of the most affordable options: the Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X. Let’s dive into its strengths and weaknesses!

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

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zfc | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zfc | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11
Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11

Continue reading Review: Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X – The Most Affordable 2X Macro?

Review: TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2

Introduction

TTArtisan has produced several affordable and well-regarded manual lenses in recent years. Now, they’ve introduced their first full-frame autofocus lens: a 75mm f/2, available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts at a budget-friendly price of $178. Lenses in the 50mm to 85mm range are typically known for their strong optical performance, and this focal length is particularly well-suited for portraiture and general-purpose photography, offering a slightly tighter field of view than a standard 50mm. The 75mm f/2 allows for excellent subject isolation while maintaining enough background detail to keep the blur subtly recognisable. Let’s dive into its strengths and weaknesses!

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

Nikon Z7ii | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Z7ii | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/5.6
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/5.6
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/2 | f/2

Continue reading Review: TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2

Review: TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 – A Modern and Affordable Zeiss Biotar 75/1.5?

Introduction

TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 on a Nikon Zf
TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 on a Nikon Zf

TTArtisan has done it again. After previously remaking the legendary Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8—renowned for its distinctive soap bubble bokeh—they’ve now turned their attention to another iconic lens: the Big B, or more precisely, the Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5. This legendary lens, famous for its swirly bokeh, sharp centre, and 3D pop, has become something of a myth over time.

While TTArtisan has never claimed to have replicated the Biotar, the lens’s shape, mount choice, and, more importantly, its optical formula leave little to the imagination about what they have aimed to mimic.

The Biotar 75mm is often called the “Original King of Bokeh,” as the popular Soviet-era Helios 40 85mm f/1.5—known simply as the “King of Bokeh”—is rumored to be based on the Biotar’s design due to their similar optical formula.

Thanks to its unique optical characteristics, limited production, and beautiful bokeh, sharpness, and 3D pop, the Biotar 75mm f/1.5 became highly sought after, eventually turning into a collector’s item. Prices on the used market soared to between $1,500 and $4,500, depending on the version and condition. Now, let’s take a closer look at TTArtisan’s remake of this iconic lens!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a Nikon Zf.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/8
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/8
Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5
Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5

Continue reading Review: TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 – A Modern and Affordable Zeiss Biotar 75/1.5?

Travel Diary: An Arctic Trip (Day 3)

This diary entry covers our third day of the trip. For details on previous days, see the ‘Further Reading’ section at the end of the article.

I have not included all the pictures here. This is more or less just a display of selected images from that day. To see all of them with more details and information, watch the video of this third day for a unique experience and a story of this adventurous day!

Youtube small iconAn Arctic Trip; Day Three

After two nights at our first camp, we left that camp to go somewhere else. But before moving on to the new camp, we went to the main activity of the day that we had all been looking forward to, Polar dog sledding in the Nordic forests.

Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/7.1
Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/7.1
Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/11
Nikon Z6 | Nikkor Z 24-70/4 S | f/11

Continue reading Travel Diary: An Arctic Trip (Day 3)