Category Archives: Nikon

REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Introduction

The Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S, designed primarily for demanding professionals and discerning enthusiasts, is one of the fastest autofocus lenses in the Nikkor Z lineup. While Nikon has a legacy of producing ultra-fast f/1.2 standard lenses, this is their first f/1.2 autofocus lens. Nikon’s history with f/1.2 lenses began in 1965 with the introduction of the Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2. This was followed by the legendary Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 in 1977 and the AI-Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 S in 1981. However, after the 1980s, Nikon took a break from producing f/1.2 lenses until the advent of the Z mount system in 2018.

With the larger Z mount, Nikon aimed to overcome the limitations of their previous f/1.2 lenses by incorporating new technology. As a result, the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S was launched in September 2020.

But did Nikon succeed in meeting these high expectations? Let’s find out!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images  taken with Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2

Continue reading REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Review: Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4 E

Introduction

nikon af af-s 105mm 1.4 1.4E N nano ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E via adapter on Sony A7rII

The Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E was one of Nikon’s last fast primes designed for the F-mount. And when it was released, I felt like it is supposed to be the replacement for an 85mm 1.2 lens Nikon users never got. Is this the best portrait tele lens ever made for the F-mount? Let’s try to find out.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 105mm 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
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E | Monster LA-FE2 | f/1.4
nikon af-s 105mm 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
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E | Monster LA-FE2 | f/1.4
nikon af-s 105mm 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
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E | Monster LA-FE2 | f/1.4
nikon af-s 105mm 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
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E | Monster LA-FE2 | f/1.4
nikon af-s 105mm 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
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E | Monster LA-FE2 | f/1.4
nikon af-s 105mm 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
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E | Monster LA-FE2 | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4 E

Analogue Adventures – Part 35: Kodak Eastman Double-X 200

Kodak Eastman Double-X 200

The nice thing about this series: sometimes very unexpected things happen. A friend from Hong Kong sent me a roll of Eastman Double-X 200 black and white film. The regular readers already know I am not a huge fan of black and white film, but they also know I could never resist using a film I haven’t used before, so here we are. This did not end how I expected it to though.
Processing and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany, the pictures in this article are from one roll of film.

kodak eastman double x dx 200 expired black white bw sw schwarz weiss weiß nikon f80 sigma
Nikon F80 | Eastman Double-X | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
kodak eastman double x dx 200 expired black white bw sw schwarz weiss weiß nikon f80 sigma
Nikon F80 | Eastman Double-X | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
kodak eastman double x dx 200 expired black white bw sw schwarz weiss weiß nikon f80 sigma
Nikon F80 | Eastman Double-X | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/8.0
kodak eastman double x dx 200 expired black white bw sw schwarz weiss weiß nikon f80 sigma
Nikon F80 | Eastman Double-X | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/8.0

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 35: Kodak Eastman Double-X 200

Analogue Adventures – Part 34: Kodak Pro Image 100

Kodak Pro Image 100

I thought I had already used all of Kodak’s color negative films still in production, but I somehow managed to miss out on the Pro Image 100. How does it compare to the readily available Gold 200 and the Portra 160? Let’s try to find out.
Processing (C-41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany, the pictures in this article are from one roll of film.

kodak pro image 100 professional review nikon f analogue film hamburg germany f80
Nikon F80 | Kodak Pro Image 100 | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
kodak pro image 100 professional review nikon f analogue film hamburg germany f80
Nikon F80 | Kodak Pro Image 100 | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4
kodak pro image 100 professional review nikon f analogue film hamburg germany f80
Nikon F80 | Kodak Pro Image 100 | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/2.8
kodak pro image 100 professional review nikon f analogue film hamburg germany f80
Nikon F80 | Kodak Pro Image 100 | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/8.0
kodak pro image 100 professional review nikon f analogue film hamburg germany f80
Nikon F80 | Kodak Pro Image 100 | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/8.0

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 34: Kodak Pro Image 100

Review: Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G – Outdated or Modern Classic?

Introduction

nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g 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 24mm 1.4G via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

The Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G ED N was a big deal when it was released in 2010 and it ended up being my most used lens on Nikon DSLRs from 2012 to 2014. Looking for a fast wide angle lens with AF in 2024, I decided to have another look at this one – instead of spending noticeably bigger money on the noticeably smaller Sony FE 24mm 1.4 GM. Was that an objective decision? Let’s find out together.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon D700 | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G | f/1.4
nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon D700 | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G | f/2.0
nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon D700 | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G | f/1.4
nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G | f/1.4
nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G | f/1.4
nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon D700 | Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G – Outdated or Modern Classic?