Category Archives: lenses

Review: TTArtisan 500mm 6.3 ED IF

September 22, 2023 BastianK 11 Comments

Introduction

ttartisan 500mm 5.6 ed if manual focus 42mp 61mp sharpness contrast review tele bokeh vignetting sony a7rv a7riii a1 a9 — TTArtisan 500mm 6.3 IF ED

The Chinese manufacturers have been busy releasing lenses in the 15-100mm range but only rarely set foot in the tele lens realm. And if they did, those were usually mirror lenses that may be compact but have plenty of other issues.
When TTArtisan asked me if I want to have a look at their new 500mm f/6.3 lens I was hesitant at first, as this is also not a focal length I need or use regularly.
But when I heard it uses ED elements, it is an internal focus design and will cost only $329 I thought it might be worth a closer look, so here we are.

Sample Images

ttartisan 500mm 6.3 ed if manual focus 42mp 61mp sharpness contrast review tele bokeh vignetting sony a7rv a7riii a1 a9 — Sony A7rII | TTArtisan 500mm 6.3 | f/6.3

Continue reading Review: TTArtisan 500mm 6.3 ED IF →

Analogue, Leica, Leica M, Minolta, Projects, Voigtlander

Analogue Adventures – Part 25: Wolfen Color NC500 ECN-2

September 19, 2023 BastianK 7 Comments

In early 2023 I managed to buy two rolls of the ORWO Wolfen NC 500 color negative film and it is something special for several reasons, so let’s have a closer look.
Processing (ECN-2) and scanning was done at Silbersalz35 in Germany.

wolfen nc500 orwo agfa iso400 asa review leica analogue film germany — Minolta CLE | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/5.6 | Wolfen 500 NC

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 25: Wolfen Color NC500 ECN-2 →

Leica M, lenses, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander VM 35mm 1.2 III

September 15, 2023 BastianK 103 Comments

Introduction

cosina voigtlander vm 35mm 1.2 iii comparison sony leica m10 m 24mp 42mp 61mp review sharpness bokeh coma astro — Voigtlander VM 35mm 1.2 III via Metabones adapter on Sony A7rII

The Voigtlander VM 35mm 1.2 III Nokton is already the third iteration of the world’s fastest 35mm M-mount lens. What has changed compared to the predecessors? How does it compare to the competition? Is it any good? Let’s find out together in this review.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII, 24mp Leica M10 and film cameras
Last Update: September 2023 (samples, coma section, conclusion)

Sample Images

analogue photography leica m6 voigtländer silbersalz35 kodak vision 3 — Leica M6 | 200T | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.2 | f/1.2

Continue reading Review: Voigtlander VM 35mm 1.2 III →

lenses, Review, Sony E-mount, Tamron

Review: Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

September 14, 2023 BastianK 25 Comments

Introduction

tamron 70-180mm 2.8 di iii vc vxd g2 review sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting resolution 42mp 61mp 33mp a7iv a9 a1 a7c af auto focus — Tamron 70-180mm 2.8 G2 on Sony A7rII

Just like the 28-75mm 2.8 before, Tamron now also updated its 70-180mm 2.8 lens. We already reviewed the previous lens here and we liked it. A lot actually – except for some handling unpleasantries. With the addition of a lens button and a customizable switch I expect great improvements here, but that is not all: Tamron also decided to upgrade the lens with an internal optical image stabilizer. Let’s have a closer look!

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 →

Leica M, Minolta, Review

Review: Minolta 28mm 2.8 M-Rokkor

September 3, 2023 BastianK 16 Comments

Introduction

minolta 28mm 2.8 m-rokkor leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution — Minolta 28mm 2.8 M-Rokkor on Minolta CLE

The Minolta 28mm 2.8 M-Rokkor was released alongside the Minolta CLE and is one of the most affordable 28mm M-mount lenses these days. Unfortunately it is also infamous for developing “white dot issues”, probably the main reason for this lens still being affordable on the used market. What is this all about and is it still a good idea to buy this lens or should you rather stay away from it? Let’s find out.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10