Category Archives: Leica M

Review: Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph

Introduction

18mm 5.6 solinon calvin hong kong asph review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting cookie pancake compact m10 leica m11 m10r rangefinder
Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph on Leica M10

It doesn’t happen often that one of our readers reaches out and tells us he had his own lens made, but that is exactly what happened here. Not finding what he was looking for among the lenses already available, our reader Calvin from Hong Kong decided to had a lens made to his desires and have it manufactured in China. Of course I was interested to review it, so let’s have a look at this intriguing lens together!
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

18mm 5.6 solinon calvin hong kong asph review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting cookie pancake compact m10 leica m11 m10r rangefinder
Leica M10 | Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph | f/5.6 | Ai Denoise
18mm 5.6 solinon calvin hong kong asph review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting cookie pancake compact m10 leica m11 m10r rangefinder
Leica M10 | Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph | f/5.6 | Ai Denoise
18mm 5.6 solinon calvin hong kong asph review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting cookie pancake compact m10 leica m11 m10r rangefinder
Leica M10 | Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph | f/8.0
18mm 5.6 solinon calvin hong kong asph review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting cookie pancake compact m10 leica m11 m10r rangefinder
Leica M10 | Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph | f/5.6
18mm 5.6 solinon calvin hong kong asph review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting cookie pancake compact m10 leica m11 m10r rangefinder
Leica M10 | Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph | f/5.6
18mm 5.6 solinon calvin hong kong asph review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting cookie pancake compact m10 leica m11 m10r rangefinder
Leica M10 | Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: Solinon 18mm 5.6 Asph

Guide to the best Portrait Lenses – Sony A7/A9/A1 series

We summarize our experience with all the native E-mount and a few legacy lenses in the 85-200mm bracket for the Sony A7/A9/A1 series to give you a compact and independent resource for choosing the best portrait lens for your needs.

We also have a general guide to FE-lenses, 9-18mm ultra wide angle lenses, guide to 20-28mm wide angle lenses, 35mm lenses, 50mm lenses and macro lenses.

Unlike most other review sites we have no association with any lens manufacturer apart from occasionally loaning a lens for a review. No fancy trips and meals.

Before any short introduction we tell you how long we have used a lens and if we have borrowed it from a manufacturer. But in most cases we have bought the lenses new from retail stores or on the used market. 

If we have left any question unanswered please leave a comment or contact us on social media and we will do our best to answer it.

If you purchase the lens through one of the affiliate-links in this article we get a small compensation with no additional cost to you.

Last update: March 2025, several lenses added, cleaned up

Continue reading Guide to the best Portrait Lenses – Sony A7/A9/A1 series

Review: Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron

Introduction

voigtländer vm apo-ultron 90mm 2.0 review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron on Leica M10

I wasn’t sure, if after the Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.8 Apo-Skopar, Cosina will also produce a faster 90mm lens, but that thinking was put to a stop in early 2025, when they announced this Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron. A direct competitor to the Leica 90mm 2.0 Apo-Summicron, which was first released in 1998. Let’s see how it performs.

Sample Images

voigtländer vm apo-ultron 90mm 2.0 review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron | f/2.0
voigtländer vm apo-ultron 90mm 2.0 review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron | f/2.0
voigtländer vm apo-ultron 90mm 2.0 review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron | f/2.0
voigtländer vm apo-ultron 90mm 2.0 review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron | f/2.0
voigtländer vm apo-ultron 90mm 2.0 review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron | f/8.0
voigtländer vm apo-ultron 90mm 2.0 review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron

Review: MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz

Introduction

ms-optics ms-optical petz petzval f/2.0 2.0 57mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz on Leica M10

If you already had a look at some of my reviews of MS-Optics lenses you are probably aware that these are quirky lenses. This MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz is one recommended by MS-Optics for “beginners” though. What does that mean? Let’s find out in this review.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

ms-optics ms-optical petz petzval f/2.0 2.0 57mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz | f/2.0
ms-optics ms-optical petz petzval f/2.0 2.0 57mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz | f/2.0
ms-optics ms-optical petz petzval f/2.0 2.0 57mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz | f/2.0
ms-optics ms-optical petz petzval f/2.0 2.0 57mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz | f/2.0
ms-optics ms-optical petz petzval f/2.0 2.0 57mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz | f/8.0
ms-optics ms-optical petz petzval f/2.0 2.0 57mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz | f/4.0

Continue reading Review: MS-Optics 57mm 2.0 Petz

Leica M to Sony E Close Focus Adapters

Introduction

Sony A7s with Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron M (pre Asph) and VM-E Close Focus Adapter

Classic rangefinder lenses usually spot less staggering minimum focus distances compared to (D)SLR and the latest lenses for mirrorless cameras because of how focusing with rangefinder cameras works. In 2022 several manufacturers are offering close focus adapters. These adapters have their own additional helicoid which allows you to focus your lenses much closer than you could with a conventional adapter. I have used several of these myself, so let’s see which ones are worth the asking price.
Last Update: December 2024

Sample Images

7artisans leica summulix 28mm 1.4 f/1.4 wide angle fast 42mp sony feplus resolution contrast coma review close focus range macro extension tube helicoid adapter hawks factory
Sony A7rII | 7artisans 28mm 1.4 | f/1.4 | Hawk’s Factory Close Focus Adapter
raven Bokeh Voigtlander 28mm 2.0
Sony A7 | Voigtländer Ultron 2.0/28 | f/2.0 | Voigtländer VM-E Close Focus Adapter
7artisans leica summulix 28mm 1.4 f/1.4 wide angle fast 42mp sony feplus resolution contrast coma review close focus range macro extension tube helicoid adapter hawks factory
Sony A7rII | 7artisans 28mm 1.4 | f/1.4 | Hawk’s Factory Close Focus Adapter
bokeh summicron 90mm 2.0 sony a7 review 42mp leica m10 24mp sharpness contrast
Sony A7rII | Leica Summicron 90mm 2.0 pre-Asph | f/2.0 | Voigtländer VM-E Close Focus Adapter

Continue reading Leica M to Sony E Close Focus Adapters