Category Archives: lenses

Accessories, Adapters, lenses, Megadap, Nikon, Nikon Z, Techart, Technical, TTArtisan

The best fullframe mirrorless camera for adapting manual focus lenses

August 21, 2024 BastianK 60 Comments

Introduction

etz e to z e2z adapter neewer megadap techart comparison haoge nikon sony e-mount z-mount — Laowa 35mm 0.95 via Neewer ETZ on Nikon Zf

With the release of Sony’s first A7 series camera we saw a renaissance of many legacy lenses from “dead” mounts like Canon FD, Olympus OM, Minolta SR and several more. Because of flange focal distance issues these lenses often couldn’t be attached to modern DSLRs. And even if it was possible, it was a pain to use them on DSLRs, thanks to their matte screens being unsuitable for manual focus lenses.

Let’s have a look at the history of focusing aids in fullframe mirrorless cameras and who does it best.

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Laowa, Review, Sony E-mount

Review: Laowa 28mm T1.0 Argus – The world’s fastest 28mm lens

August 18, 2024 BastianK 13 Comments

Introduction

laowa 28mm T1.0 cine argus review fast super f/0.95 bokeh sharpness contrast a7riv a7riii a7iv a9 a1 resolution coma vignetting review — Laowa 28mm T1.0 Argus

In 2022 Laowa released the world’s fastest 28mm lens for fullframe cameras, the Laowa 28mm 1.2 Argus. If you thought they rested on their laurels you are mistaken: in 2024 they released an even faster lens, this Laowa 28mm T1.0 Argus Cine. Usually I don’t review Cine lenses, but how could I possibly pass on the world’s fastest 28mm fullframe lens? Let’s have a closer look!

Sample Images

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Leica M, lenses, Nikon, Review, Sony E-mount, Voigtlander

Lens Reviews in one Sentence – Part 1: Voigtländer

August 7, 2024 BastianK 31 Comments

Introduction

Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.0 Nokton on Leica M6

Modern Voigtländer branded lenses are made by Cosina in Japan. These are all manual focus lenses but except for the M-mount lenses they all feature electronic contacts to communicate with your camera. This is an overview of ~50 of their lenses with my opinion summarized in one sentence to give you an overview and starting point before delving into our in-depth reviews.
Last Update: February 2025

The one sentence reviews are a new concept I am testing here, please tell me in the comment section what you think of it.

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon 105mm 2.0 AF DC-Nikkor

August 4, 2024 BastianK 13 Comments

Introduction

nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance — Nikon AF 105mm 2.0 D DC via adapter on Sony A7rII

At the beginning of the 1990s Nikon released two special portrait lenses featuring a “Defocus Control” mechanism, which allows you to make the bokeh smoother or harsher. This Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC is the shorter of the two DC lenses and In this review I will tell you how it works and if it is actually useful.

Sample Images

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Leica, Leica M, Review

Review: Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MK II

July 31, 2024 BastianK 18 Comments

Introduction

35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp — Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MK II on Leica M10

In 2022 Leica started updating some of their f/1.4 Summilux-M lenses. The first lens to receive this treatment was the Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph (now often referred to as “FLE MK II”). While the optical design seems to have remained mostly the same, the new lens features a different casing design and also focuses much closer. It is public knowledge: I was not a big fan of the first generation of this lens, so let’s find out if the seemingly minor update was enough to sway the scale!