Category Archives: Nikon

Review: Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai – The first of its Kind

July 21, 2024 BastianK 27 Comments

Introduction

nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting — Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED on Sony A7rII

The Nikon Nikkor 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai from 1977 is not only one of Nikon’s most famous lenses, it is also one of the few super fast tele lenses in the ~200mm range I did not yet get my hands on. I have been watching the eBay auctions for this lens for years and at the end of 2023 I managed to find one in mint condition at a price I could afford. So finally, here we are, to have a closer look at the first of its kind.

Sample Images

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lenses, Nikon, Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

REVIEW: Nikon Z Nikkor 26mm f/2.8

July 14, 2024 Martin 9 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Z 26/2.8 on Nikon Z 7II

Nikon Z 26mm 2.8 has an unconventional focal length that falls between two classic wide-angle focal lengths for candid street photography, 24mm and 28mm. It is remarkably compact, making it the smallest and lightest Z prime lens for full-frame cameras from Nikon. Not only is it one of the most compact Nikon Z lens ever, but also it currently holds the title of the world’s slimmest mirrorless autofocus fullframe lens produced by any manufacturer. It can also be used on an APS-C camera as a prime standard lens, providing an equivalent focal length of approximately 40mm, my favorite standard focal length. While not part of Nikon’s premium S-line lenses, it is well-regarded for its performance. Let’s see how it performs!

I tested this lens on a fullframe Nikon Z 7II (with its 46 Mp sensor) and on an APS-C Nikon Z fc (with its 21 Mp sensor).
Hereafter, for ease of writing, I will use Nikon’s designations “FX” for fullframe and “DX” for APS-C.
You watch see this review in video format on YouTube.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G N ED IF

July 7, 2024 BastianK 13 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 24-70mm 2.8 G ed N zoom standardzoom midrange standard tele 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait — Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G via Monster LA-FE1 on Sony A7rII

By now I have used more than 260 lenses. Interestingly there has never been a 24-70mm 2.8 midrange zoom among those, even though they are really popular, there are a lot of them and pretty much any manufacturer made at least one. In my pursuit of assembling a set of affordable autofocus lenses with nice imaging characteristics, it is now finally time to change that. So let’s have a closer look at this Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G IF ED N.

Sample Images

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Comparison, Nikon, Nikon, Voigtlander

Comparison: Fast 55/58mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 Manual Fullframe Lenses for F-mount

June 26, 2024 BastianK 8 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer sl iis nokton nikon f 58mm 1.4 ai-s fast review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait — Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai | Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton | Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton

I guess you did not expect to see a comparison of fast 55-58mm f/1.2 to f/1.4 lenses for Nikon F-mount in 2024, but I also did not expect to see Cosina releasing a new F-mount lens in 2023, so here we are. We will be looking at the Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai, the first F-mount lens as fast as f/1.2 from 1965, its modern reincarnation by Cosina, the Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton from 2023 and Cosina’s fan favorite F-mount portrait lens, the Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton, which is around since 2007.

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton (Nikon F)

June 23, 2024 BastianK 21 Comments

Introduction

The Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton has been in production since 2007 and gathered many fans over the years. This is probably the reason Cosina updated its casing design several times throughout the years while keeping the optics the same. Let’s see if we can find out what people like about it in this review.