Category Archives: Leica M

Canon EF-Mount, Guides, Leica M, lenses, Olympus OM, Sony A-mount, Sony E-mount

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

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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: May 2026,  Meike 85mm 1.4 FF STM added, Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 Pro added, Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo added, Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art added, Laowa 200mm 2.0 AF C-Dreamer added, Sigma 200mm 2.0 DG OS Sports added, Zeiss Otus 100mm 1.4 added, many additional changes

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

7Artisans, Leica M, Review

Review: 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II

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Introduction

review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II on Leica M10

Released in 2019, the 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 was actually one of my favorite 7Artisans lenses so far, especially due to its nice bokeh rendering. Now the 7Artisans are back with this improved and at the same time lighter 75mm 1.25 II. Let’s find out in this review what has changed compared to the predecessor and what the pictures taken with this unusually fast 75mm lens look like!

Sample Images

review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II | f/1.25
review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II | f/1.25
review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II | f/1.25
review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II | f/1.25
review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II | f/1.25
review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II | f/1.25
review 7artisans 75mm 1.25 ii f/1.25 china leica m lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: 7Artisans 75mm 1.25 II →

Leica M, Review

Review: Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB

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Introduction

omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele on Leica M10

I think I have always been at the forefront to introduce (new) niché lens manufacturers to you guys. Omnar lenses definitely is one of those: a boutique lens manufacturer based in the UK, producing low quantities of unique lenses and also offering lens conversions with a huge attention to detail and quality. The Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB is a Sonnar design true to the original formula from 1934, but aims to correct the dreaded focus shift to make it a more enjoyable lens to use on rangefinder cameras. Let’s have a closer look!
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10 as well as the 42mp Sony A7rII and you can find sample pictures taken on the Leica M6, Leica M10 and Nikon Zf.

Sample Images

omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Lomo 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.8
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Ektar 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Ektar 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.8
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Lomo 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/4.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB →

DJ-Optical, Leica M, Review

Review: DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 M

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Introduction

review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 on Leica M10

Most manufacturers producing M-mount lenses have at least one super fast 50mm lens in their portfolio and quite often these are prestigious flagship lenses for them. The latest entry is DJ-Optical with his 50mm 1.0 lens for M-mount – produced only in small quantities and officially being sold only in China at the moment. Thanks to one of my readers I was still able to acquire one of these to review it for you, so let’s have a closer look at this intriguing lens.
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10 and the 42mp Sony A7rII.

Sample Images

review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.2
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Boryoza LM-Z | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/2.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Boryoza LM-Z | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0

Continue reading Review: DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 M →

Leica M, Review, Thypoch

Review: Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana Epoch

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Introduction

thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana on Leica M10

After Simera and Eureka Thypoch’s next lens lineup is called Ksana. The first lens of this series is the Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana. A modern optical design with aspherical element but coatings reminiscent of Canon’s FD lenses from 1973. An interesting combination on paper, so let’s have a closer look!
Lens is being tested on 24mp Leica M10 and 42mp Sony A7rII

Sample Images

thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/5.6
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/5.6
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5 | Ai Denoise
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/8.0 | Ai Denoise
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/11

Continue reading Review: Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana Epoch →