Category Archives: camera

Nikon Z, Review, Sigma

Review: Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM

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Introduction

Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM, a full frame lens with image stabilization, was released in 2011 and is a little bit old by now but is still in production and can be bought brand new and it has a good reputation. Worth to note that Nikon’s equivalent for F-mount (Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 105/2.8G) is five years older than this Sigma. Being macro lenses, they can give you good magnification (1:1 in this case) and at the same time they can also be used as portrait lenses. But of course, they also are good for compressed landscape images and candid photography. Because of its age it can be bought relatively cheap used, which makes it good value for money, if it appears to be good of course. Let’s see how good it is.
The sample images are taken with Nikon Z6 (FF, 24Mp) and Nikon D7200 (APS-C, 24Mp).

Sample Images

Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG Macro HSM review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG Macro HSM | f/8
Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG Macro HSM review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG Macro HSM | f/8 (stacked, 42 images, 65% crop)
Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM | f/4

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lenses, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S

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Introduction

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9

The Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S is the only Nikon 24mm with Z mount. 24mm on a full frame camera is quite wide at the verge of ultra wide angle, which can create dramatic images but at the same time it is not so wide that it makes composing images difficult. It is great for landscape photography, but due to its f/1.8 wide aperture it can also be easily used indoors or in other low light situations. It is a relatively expensive lens for being a 24mm f/1.8, but if this lens’s qualities show to be excellent then it can be considered as a reasonable price. Bear in mind that as Nikon’s only available Z mount 24mm prime it should appeal to all users, including the professionals and if its qualities are satisfactory for professional users then it is a relatively cheap lens. So, let’s see how it performs!

Sample Images

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/8
Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/13
Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/4
Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8

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Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 Ai-S

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Introduction

Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii

The NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 was the lens that almost all the pro photographers had on their cameras most of the time during the 60s, 70s and 80s and most young and aspiring photographers dreamed of having on their cameras. From an era when Nikon was the undisputed number one 35mm camera/lens system among professional photographers worldwide. The NIKKOR lenses had a reputation for being tough with outstanding quality, both optically and mechanically. This lens was, because of its popularity,  in production long after the advent of the autofocus and even digital cameras and was sold new alongside AF and digital lenses until mid 2005. Let’s see how it fares today!

Sample Images

Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii
Nikon Z6 | Nikon NIKKOR 50/1.4 Ai-s | f/2.8
Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii
Nikon Z6 | Nikon NIKKOR 50/1.4 Ai-s | f/2.8
Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii
Nikon Z6 | Nikon NIKKOR 50/1.4 Ai-s | f/2
Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii
Nikon Z6 | Nikon NIKKOR 50/1.4 Ai-s | f/2
Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii
Nikon Z6 | Nikon NIKKOR 50/1.4 Ai-s | f/2.8

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Nikon Z

Review: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50mm 2.8

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Introduction

Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan (Black Version) on Nikon Z6

The Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan is a very small and compact lens, a classical anastigmatic triplet lens. It was the standard kit lens on EXA II cameras but was also sold as kit with many EXA I & Praktica cameras. Opinions on the Domiplan are very different. Some love it for its sharpness and its bokeh, especially its so-called “Soap Bubble” bokeh, others think it is nothing more than average in performance. In the manufacturer’s brochure of this lens from 1960 you can read:

“With our new Domiplan 2.8/50 mm we have combined the advantages of the modern lens mount and the fully automatic pressure diaphragm with an extremely inexpensive three-lens construction.”

I’ll come back to “the fully automatic pressure diaphragm” later in the review. Also as the first point in a features list in the same brochure you can read:

” – Inexpensive three-lens anastigmat of the proven triplet type”

The underlining is done by me, not in the original text. So it should be clear that we are dealing with a cheap and simple lens. Just to have our expectations at somewhat right levels. Do not despair though! It can produce very nice pictures and is quite cheap too.  Continue reading and it might be the next lens you invest in after all. Let’s have a closer look!

Sample Images

Nikon Z6 | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50/2.8 | f/2.8
Nikon Z6 | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50/2.8 | f/2.8
Nikon D7200 | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50/2.8 | f/2.8

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lenses, Nikon Z, Zeiss

Review: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm F/2.8

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Introduction

The Tessar is a very old design (1902), actually one of the oldest optical designs of all consumer lenses. It was produced before WWII for the first Contax rangefinder cameras and early Exakta cameras and post-war both in East and West Germany for several other camera brands.

Fun Fact 1: In 1932, when Leica II by Leitz of Wetzlar was the king of 35mm cameras, Zeiss Ikon of Dresden decided to produce a competitor that would be superior in every way. Thus the first Contax camera was born; the “Contax I”, which was designed to outperform the Leica in every aspect including the optics; thus the first Tessar 50/2.8 for 35mm format was born (a redesigned Tessar to cover 24x36mm negative), from Zeiss Jena.

Fun Fact 2: This lens was famous during its era and was called “Adlerauge” in German, which means “Eagle’s eye” because it was considered super sharp. Let’s see about that further down!

Sample Images

Nikon Z6 | Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50 | 2.8

Nikon Z6 | Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50 | 4

Nikon Z6 | Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50 | f/5.6

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