Category Archives: lenses

Review: Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV

Introduction

summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV on Leica M10

There have been many different versions of the Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M over the years, but version “IV” – the last version without aspherical elements – seems to be especially popular, also because of its appealing form factor. Let’s have a closer look!
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV | f/2.0
summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV | f/2.0
summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M4 | Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV | Kodak Portra 160 | ©Vincent Bihler
summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M4 | Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV | Kodak Portra 160| ©Vincent Bihler
summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV | f/2.0
summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV | f/2.0
summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV →

Guest Post: Projector Lenses – A Drug of Choice

Introduction

To paraphrase a fellow photographer from a forum – if you want the real crazy bokeh, projection lenses are the drug of choice. The following article – coming from my hobby-ist passion for vintage glass and my direct experience using it – is kind of an informal review of seven projector lenses that I got / adapted / tested / enjoyed / kept.
This is a guest post written by Alin Leanca who you can also find on flickr.

Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 140mm 1.9
Pentacon AV 80mm 2.8
Hugo Meyer Kinon Superior 50mm 1.8
Meyer Kinon Superior 115mm 2.5
Supercin 50mm 1.4
Benoist Berthiot Cinestar 110mm 2.0
Lomo KO-90 90mm 1.9

Continue reading Guest Post: Projector Lenses – A Drug of Choice →

Review: Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 (Cine Lens)

Introduction

Today, we’re looking at the Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6, an ultra-wide-angle cine lens with an impressive maximum T-stop of T1.6. That’s a pretty fast lens for an ultra-wide-angle, especially for a cine lens.

But this lens also has a rather unusual trick up its sleeve: the same lens can be used on Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L-mount cameras.

Let’s have a look at how it performs.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf and Sony A7C II)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Disclosure

Sirui kindly provided this lens for testing and review purposes.

Sample Images

Sony A7C II | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6
Sony A7C II | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6
Nikon Zf | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T11
Nikon Zf | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T8
Sony A7C II | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T1.6
Nikon Zf | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T1.6

Continue reading Review: Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 (Cine Lens) →

Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE

Introduction

viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE on Sony A7rII

Viltrox offers several different lens lineups: positioned at the top is the “LAB” series, slightly below that the “Pro” series. I already reviewed the Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE and the Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 Pro FE – offering very good performance at an affordable pricepoint – and this time we will be having a look at the latest Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE. 

Sample Images

viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | megadap ETZ21pro+ | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | megadap ETZ21pro+ | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/2.0
viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | megadap ETZ21pro+ | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE →

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

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 →