Category Archives: Nikon

Astrophotography, Nikon, Review, Samyang

Review: Samyang 14mm 2.4 XP

April 8, 2025 BastianK 10 Comments

Introduction

samyang 14mm 2.4 xp premium manual focus astro wide angle ultra review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting compact nikon z6 z7 z8 zf sony a7rii a7riii a7rv a7iv coma — Samyang 14mm 2.4 XP via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

Released in 2017, this Samyang 14mm 2.4 XP had a similarly bad timing as the Zeiss Otus and Milvus lenses its mechanical design is undoubtedly based on. By that time many people started using mirrorless cameras, so these huge DSLR designs certainly started looking less appealing. On top of that, many of us had been burned by Samyang’s (at least at that time) awful quality control, so paying a premium price for a Samyang lens? Not many people were interested in doing that. Nevertheless, some people say this is one of the best lenses for astrophotography ever made, that alone is reason enough to have a closer look at it.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtländer 28mm 2.8 SL IIs Color-Skopar (Nikon F)

April 5, 2025 BastianK 9 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer sl iis color-skopar nikon f 28mm 2.8 ai-s freview 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait — Voigtländer 28mm 2.8 SL IIs Color-Skopar on Nikon FM2n

Cosina is still making new manual focus lenses for the Nikon F-mount and currently the widest option in the line up is this Voigtländer 28mm 2.8 SL IIs Color-Skopar. It may not be as small as the M-mount version I already reviewed, but for an SLR lens it can still be considered very compact and it offers a great close focus option, so let’s have a closer look at it.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 200mm 2.0G IF-ED VRI

March 28, 2025 BastianK 19 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 200mm 2.0 g vri vr if ed f/2.0 super tele fast sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting — Nikon AF-S 200mm 2.0G IF-ED VR via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

When making the transition from Nikon DSLRs to Sony fullframe mirrorless, letting my Nikon AF-S 200mm 2.0G VRI go was not an easy decision. At that time there were no decent Nikon-F to Sony-E adapters available though – let alone mirrorless cameras made by Nikon – and I couldn’t afford to keep a Nikon DSLR only for using this lens. I took the opportunity to try out some (most) of the competitors in the meantime, but none of those lenses convinced me as much as this Nikon. Let me tell you why in this review.

Sample Images

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lenses, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon Z Nikkor 24-70mm f/4 S

March 16, 2025 Martin 7 Comments

Introduction

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S was the first zoom lens designed for the Nikon Z system. Zoom lenses are known for their convenience and versatility, and this one is often bundled as a kit lens with various Z-series cameras. But does it fit the mold of a typical kit lens? Or does the ‘S’ designation—reserved for Nikon’s high-end lenses—along with its $1,000 price tag, put it in a different league? Let’s find out!

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Z6)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Nikon Z6 | NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S | 24mm F/10

Nikon Z6 | NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S | 70mm F/7.1

Nikon Z6 | NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S | 46mm F/10

Nikon Z6 | NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S | 40mm F/8

Nikon Z6 | NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S | 70mm F/11

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 85mm 1.8G

March 6, 2025 BastianK 9 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 85mm 1.8 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 85mm 1.8G via Monster LA-FE1 on Sony A7rII

One-and-a-half years after the faster – and significantly more expensive – Nikon AF-S 85mm 1.4G, this Nikon AF-S 85mm 1.8G had been released. Two thirds of a stop slower, about half the weight and less than a third of the price – but with very similar imaging characteristics. At the end of the DSLR era this was a very popular lens and Nikon made a whole lot of them, but is it still an interesting option today? Let’s try to find out in this review.