Category Archives: Comparison

camera, Comparison, Laowa, lenses, Nikon Z, Review

REVIEW/COMPARISON: Laowa FF II TS 55mm & 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X

December 17, 2024 Martin 4 Comments

Introduction

Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro on Nikon Z7II

The Laowa FF II TS 55mm and 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X lenses are true macro lenses, offering 1:1 magnification along with tilt-shift functionality that enhances control over the focal plane.

While major camera and lens manufacturers like Canon, Sony, Nikon, Leica, Panasonic, Hasselblad, Sigma, and Tamron have largely overlooked this niche in mirrorless cameras, Laowa has stepped up to fill the gap. Their lenses, available in almost all major mounts, feature tilt and shift capabilities that open up new creative possibilities for photographers.

The tilt function allows precise control over the focal plane, enabling photographers to either extend or limit the in-focus area. This makes these lenses perfect for capturing intricate product details or adding selective focus for artistic compositions. With such versatility, Laowa’s lenses offer greater creative control over depth of field, making them a valuable tool for specialised photography needs

Since these two lenses are almost identical in shape, build, and handling, and were released simultaneously, I decided to combine my review of both. This way, I can avoid repeating the same points and provide a direct comparison, so you can see them side by side.

camera-icon2 I tested these lenses 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 higher resolution here

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/11

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/5.6 (Shift panorama)

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 No Tilt

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted

Continue reading REVIEW/COMPARISON: Laowa FF II TS 55mm & 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X →

Comparison, Nikon, Nikon, Voigtlander

Comparison: Fast 55/58mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 Manual Fullframe Lenses for F-mount

June 26, 2024 BastianK 8 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer sl iis nokton nikon f 58mm 1.4 ai-s fast review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait — Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai | Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton | Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton

I guess you did not expect to see a comparison of fast 55-58mm f/1.2 to f/1.4 lenses for Nikon F-mount in 2024, but I also did not expect to see Cosina releasing a new F-mount lens in 2023, so here we are. We will be looking at the Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai, the first F-mount lens as fast as f/1.2 from 1965, its modern reincarnation by Cosina, the Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton from 2023 and Cosina’s fan favorite F-mount portrait lens, the Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton, which is around since 2007.

Continue reading Comparison: Fast 55/58mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 Manual Fullframe Lenses for F-mount →

Accessories, Accessory, Comparison, Review

Review: Walkingway Effect Filters: Black Mist, Streak, Star, Prism, and Soft Filters

June 20, 2024 Martin 14 Comments

Introduction

Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z8 Z9 Zf Z6 II

Today, you can create almost any effect in post-processing. However, there are hurdles: 1) you need a good editing program, 2) you have to master the program to get good results, 3) you have to spend some time in front of your computer to get the desired effect. Alternatively, you can invest in expensive specialty lenses to achieve a specific result. This is especially challenging, if not impossible, for achieving the effect in videos. Given these challenges, especially in video, a simpler solution emerges – using filters. Let’s have a look!

Sample Images

Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9 — Nikon Z 7II (DX mofd) | Nikkor Z 28/2.8 | Walkingway Retro Soft filter

Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue gold star filter prism filter kaleidoscope 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9 — Nikkor Z 24-70 S @70mm f/9 | Walkingway Kaleidoscope filter

Continue reading Review: Walkingway Effect Filters: Black Mist, Streak, Star, Prism, and Soft Filters →

Comparison, Laowa, Leica, Leica M, lenses, Nikon, Sigma, Sony E-mount, Thypoch, Voigtlander

Comparison: Fast 28mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/1.5 Fullframe Lenses

February 25, 2024 BastianK 31 Comments

Introduction

28mm fullframe comparison 1.4 1.2 1.5 voigtländer laowa nikon af-s af-d argus nokton thypoch simera sigma art dg contrast resolution bokeh vignetting coma sharpness loca ca — Sigma 28mm 1.4 Art | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | Nikon AF 28mm 1.4D | Laowa 28mm 1.2 Argus | Thypoch Simera 28mm 1.4 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 1.5 Nokton

To me, fast 28mm fullframe lenses are very useful. No matter where I go, I either carry a fast 28mm or a fast 35mm lens. When it comes to the 28mm focal length we are not exactly blessed with great options though. I gathered six of those ranging from f/1.2 to f/1.5 and will compare them, to give you an idea which might work best for your needs.
Last update: May 2024

Continue reading Comparison: Fast 28mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/1.5 Fullframe Lenses →

Comparison, K&F, Nikon, Nikon Z, Pergear, Sigma, Tamron, Techart, Viltrox, Zeiss, Zeiss C/Y mount

Comparison: The Battle of 35mm lenses – Nikon Z vs Sigma vs Tamron vs Zeiss vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s

January 1, 2024 Martin 25 Comments

Introduction

Comparison: The Battle of 35:s - Nikon Nikkor Z 35 1.8 S vs Sigma 35 mm HSM Art vs Tamron USD vs Carl Zeiss Distagon vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s 35mm Which one best 35mm Viltrox ETZ ef to Z, FTZ adapter Megadap adapter K&F Concept adapter AF adapter

If you ask all the photographers, which single prime lens they would choose if they could own only one lens in the world, the majority would say the 35mm, and most of the rest would say a fast 35mm. This is because it is one of the most versatile prime lenses. Although it’s a wide-angle lens, it is sometimes referred to as the alternative normal lens because it is so close to the standard focal length that it does not distort the subject much. With such lenses, you can also get a good background separation with a nice bokeh. They are useful in almost all kinds of photography, especially in everyday photography, street photography, environmental portraits, landscapes, weddings, events, and travel. Additionally, it works well for stitched astrophotography.

Its popularity has led to numerous 35mm lenses being produced by various manufacturers from the early days of photography to the modern era. In this article, I will compare six of them, from vintage to old to new. Let’s have a look together!