Category Archives: lenses

Review: TTArtisan 35mm T/2.1 – Dual-Bokeh Cine Lens

April 18, 2025 Martin 9 Comments

Introduction

The TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Cine Dual-Bokeh is a unique lens. We rarely review cine lenses, but this one stands out. Over the past few years, TTArtisan has introduced innovative and daring lens designs. Their latest creation features a unique ability to control the bokeh character—an intriguing function with some unusual behaviour. Some will love its distinctive look, while others may find it unappealing.

On paper, it was very appealing to me, so I agreed to review it. Let’s take a closer look!

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

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Dual Bokeh | T2.1 | BUBBLE

Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Dual Bokeh | T2.1 | SOFT

Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Dual Bokeh | T4 | SOFT

Continue reading Review: TTArtisan 35mm T/2.1 – Dual-Bokeh Cine Lens →

Funleader, Leica M, Review

Review: Artizlab 35mm 1.4 Classic

April 12, 2025 BastianK 9 Comments

Introduction

artizlab funleader 35mm 1.4 classic summilux steel rim leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp — Artizlab 35mm 1.4 Classic on Leica M10

While some lens manufacturers strive for optical perfection, others decide to offer lenses with more “character” – often based on famous lenses from the past. This Artizlab 35mm 1.4 Classic is one such lens. From the outside it looks like the Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux from 1960 and while featuring a different optical design, it is certainly undercorrected for many aberrations, creating a distinct look. Whether you like that look or not is a different question though. So let’s try to answer it with the help of this review.

Sample Images

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Astrophotography, Nikon, Review, Samyang

Review: Samyang 14mm 2.4 XP

April 8, 2025 BastianK 12 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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lenses, Review, Viltrox

REVIEW: Viltrox AF 50mm F/2 Air (FE)

April 2, 2025 Martin 28 Comments

Introduction

Viltrox AF 50mm F/2 Air on a Nikon Z7ii

The Viltrox AF 50mm f/2 is another addition to the company’s small, lightweight, and affordable ‘Air’ series. Though new, the few lenses released so far have shown impressive performance. This full-frame 50mm lens, with a maximum aperture of f/2, is compact, lightweight, and budget friendly at $199—but does its performance match that of its previous siblings? Let’s find out!

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images with a Nikon Zf ).
I used a Megadap ETZ21 PRO E-to-Z adapter with the FE mount version of the lens on Nikon Z cameras.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.