Category Archives: lenses

Laowa, lenses, Review

REVIEW: Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye

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LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom on Nikon Z7ii

Introduction

The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye is a full-frame lens that combines the characteristics of two distinct fisheye types in one: circular and rectangular. Fisheye lenses are already uncommon in the mirrorless world, and fisheye zooms are even rarer—this is, in fact, the only fisheye zoom ever made for any mirrorless system, and the fastest fisheye zoom ever made. Let’s see how it performs!

camera-icon2I 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 | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm f/8
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @13mm f/8
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @mm f/5.5
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm f/5.6
Nikon Z7ii | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm f/2.8

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Canon EF-Mount, Review, Samyang

Review: Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP – A true hidden Gem

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Introduction

samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP via Sigma MC-11 on Sony A7rII

Released at the end of the DSLR era, these Samyang XP lenses had a very bad timing to begin with. And unlike many of Samyang’s other lenses, this Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP was only available for Canon EF-mount, where it faced fierce competition from the Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II, which also featured autofocus – and on a DSLR with its subpar focusing aids no one wants to give up on that. Today we have mirrorless cameras that actually work much better with manual lenses, time to find out, if this is an overlooked gem or just an outdated relic from the past.

Sample Images

samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2
samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2
samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2
samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2
samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2
samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2
samyang 85mm 1.2 xp premium mf canon ef sony a7r 42mp review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting contrast a7riii a7riv a7rv z6 z7 z8 z9 zf z7ii z6iii
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Samyang 85mm 1.2 XP | f/1.2

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Analogue, Leica M, Voigtlander

Analogue Adventures – Part 41: Fujichrome Velvia 50

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Fujichrome Velvia 50

Fujichrome Velvia 50 is one of the few slide films still in production. Many people swear by it for its punchy colors and superior image quality. Is that all true? Let’s have a closer look to find out.
Processing (E-6) was done at ProLab in Stuttgart, scanning was done by one of our readers via a DSLR. The pictures you see in this article are from one roll.

review slrmagic hyperprime lm T0.95 leica m 50mm 0.95 lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignettingreview canon leica m 50mm 0.95 tv dream lens lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M6 | SLRmagic 50mm 0.95 Hyperprime | f/0.95 | Fujichrome Velvia 50 | E-6
review slrmagic hyperprime lm T0.95 leica m 50mm 0.95 lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignettingreview canon leica m 50mm 0.95 tv dream lens lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M6 | SLRmagic 50mm 0.95 Hyperprime | f/0.95 | Fujichrome Velvia 50 | E-6
review slrmagic hyperprime lm T0.95 leica m 50mm 0.95 lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignettingreview canon leica m 50mm 0.95 tv dream lens lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M6 | SLRmagic 50mm 0.95 Hyperprime | f/5.6 | Fujichrome Velvia 50 | E-6
review slrmagic hyperprime lm T0.95 leica m 50mm 0.95 lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignettingreview canon leica m 50mm 0.95 tv dream lens lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M6 | SLRmagic 50mm 0.95 Hyperprime | f/0.95 | Fujichrome Velvia 50 | E-6
Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 3.5 Color-Skopar | f/8.0 | Fujichrome Velvia 50 | E-6
Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 3.5 Color-Skopar | f/8.0 | Fujichrome Velvia 50 | E-6

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 41: Fujichrome Velvia 50 →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon 58mm 1.2 Ai Noct-Nikkor

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Introduction

nikon 58mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 noct fast 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait coma
Nikon Ai 58mm 1.2 Noct-Nikkor on Nikom FM2n

Nikon made three manual focus f/1.2 lenses for the F-mount and the most famous one is undoubtedly this Nikon 58mm 1.2 Noct-Nikkor, often referred to as “the Noct”. What makes it special is its hand ground aspherical element, something you didn’t see often in 1977. Let’s have a closer look at this legendary lens!

Sample Images

nikon 58mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 noct fast 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait coma
Nikon Zf | Nikon 58mm 1.2 Ai Noct-Nikkor | f/1.2
nikon 58mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 noct fast 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait coma
Nikon Zf | Nikon 58mm 1.2 Ai Noct-Nikkor | f/1.2
nikon 58mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 noct fast 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait coma
Nikon Zf | Nikon 58mm 1.2 Ai Noct-Nikkor | f/1.2
nikon 58mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 noct fast 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait coma
Sony A7III | Nikon 58mm 1.2 Ai Noct-Nikkor | f/1.2
nikon 58mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 noct fast 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait coma
Nikon Zf | Nikon 58mm 1.2 Ai Noct-Nikkor | f/1.2
nikon 58mm 1.2 ai ai-s f/1.2 noct fast 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait coma
Sony A7III | Nikon 58mm 1.2 Ai Noct-Nikkor | f/1.2

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Nikon, Review, Zeiss

Review: Zeiss 18mm 3.5 Distagon ZF.2

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Introduction

zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 on Nikon FM2n

Zeiss offered a wide variety of manual focus lenses for Nikon F-mount and Canon EF. Many of these lenses have been famous not only for being purely manual focus lenses, but also for being pretty big compared to the competition. Sitting inbetween the huge Zeiss 15mm 2.8 and 21mm 2.8, this Zeiss 18mm 3.5 was Zeiss’ “compact” ultra wide angle prime. It also has a reputation for being the worst of them, is that justified? Let’s find out in this review!

Sample Images

zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/3.5
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/11
zeiss 18mm 3.5 distagon classic zf zf.2 zf2 ze t* germany german high resolution contrast landscape sharpness architecture distortion lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Zeiss 18mm 3.5 ZF.2 | f/11

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