Category Archives: Nikon

The Rated list of the fast Nikon AF-S f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.0 F-mount Primes

December 6, 2025 BastianK 11 Comments

Introduction

All fast Nikon AF-S fullframe primes from 20 to 200mm

From 2004 to 2018 Nikon produced 14 different AF-S primes from 20 to 200mm for fullframe with maximum apertures ranging from f/1.4 to f/2.0. Among those the “Gold Ring” primes were the highlight of the F-mount lens lineup, mostly aimed at professional photographers, who were not satisfied by the light gathering capabilities of the f/2.8 zooms. The f/1.8 primes on the other hand were aimed at consumers looking for more affordable options. Some of these lenses can be found at very attractive prices on the used market today, so after having used all of them personally, I thought it was time to give you this overview.

Continue reading The Rated list of the fast Nikon AF-S f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.0 F-mount Primes →

Mr. Ding Studio, Nikon, Nikon Z

Review: Mr. Ding Optics 50mm 1.2 Noxlux Z

November 23, 2025 BastianK 21 Comments

Introduction

mr. ding optics studio 50mm 1.2 nikon z review m10 42mp 24mp sony a7rii contrast resolution bokeh coma noxlux — Mr. Ding 50mm 1.2 Z on Nikon Zf

The Mr. Ding Studio 50mm 1.1 Noxlux M has sadly been out of stock for quite some time, but in the meantime the manufacturer updated its design and the lens is now available as this Mr. Ding 50mm 1.2 Noxlux Z for Z-mount – with electronic contacts, still something rare to see among the manual focus lenses from China. Let’s have a look together.

This lens is in many aspects identical to the Mr. Ding 50mm 1.1 M and Syoptic 50mm 1.1, so I will reuse a few sections of my reviews of those lenses.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Mr. Ding Optics 50mm 1.2 Noxlux Z →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E

November 12, 2025 BastianK 6 Comments

Introduction

nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting — Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E on Nikon FM2

In 1979 Nikon released a lineup of cheaper manual focus lenses called “Series E” instead of “Nikkor”. Today we will have a closer look at the Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E, probably the most popular lens of that series and definitely the smallest.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4 E

November 5, 2025 BastianK 3 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 28mm 1.4 e n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9 — Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

Interestingly out of the big camera manufacturers of the (D)SLR era only Nikon ever produced a 28mm 1.4 fullframe lens. They started in 1993 with the world’s first lens with these specifications, the Nikon AF 28mm 1.4D, and then released an updated version in 2017, this Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E. It was one of their last f/1.4 primes still designed for DSLRs, so let us find out what it is capable of in this review.

Sample Images

Silbersalz silbersalz35 125t vivid edition fuji eterna tungsten analogue analog ecn-2 — Nikon F80 | Silbersalz 125T | ECN-2 | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4 E →

Laowa, Nikon, Review, Sony E-mount

Review: Laowa AF 200mm 2.0 C-Dreamer – The Chinese Air Cutter

October 14, 2025 BastianK 32 Comments

Introduction

laowa af c-dreamer aura 200mm 2.0 f/2.0 super tele fast 2025 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a1 a9 a9ii a1ii a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting a7v ac7 zf — Laowa 200mm 2.0 AF C-Dreamer on Nikon Zf

Tele lenses with a huge entrance pupil are being called “Air Cutter” in China, which I think is quite a fitting description when looking at portrait pictures taken with them featuring that super thin depth of field. So far we have only seen 200mm 2.0 lenses from the Japanese manufacturers, but now Laowa decided to also offer a lens like this and even managed to make it the smallest and lightest lens in its class – making this Laowa AF 200mm 2.0 C-Dreamer the original Chinese Air Cutter. Let’s have a closer look!