Category Archives: lenses

lenses, Nikon, Review

Review/Comparison: Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 (vs. 35/1.8 S)

14 Comments

Introduction

In this review, we take a look at the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4, released several years after the original Z-series 35mm, the Z 35mm f/1.8 S. It brings the long-sought f/1.4 aperture typically found on Nikon’s pro lenses, which is always an exciting option, but without the “S” designation used for the company’s higher-end optics.

The pricing is what really stands out: the f/1.8 S is actually more expensive, despite being about two-thirds of a stop slower. So which one makes more sense? A direct comparison should help clarify which lens is the better fit—and what compromises, if any, come with the faster option.

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 | Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | f/5
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | f/5
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | f/14
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | f/1.4

Continue reading Review/Comparison: Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 (vs. 35/1.8 S) →

Leica M, Review

Review: Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB

10 Comments

Introduction

omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele on Leica M10

I think I have always been at the forefront to introduce (new) niché lens manufacturers to you guys. Omnar lenses definitely is one of those: a boutique lens manufacturer based in the UK, producing low quantities of unique lenses and also offering lens conversions with a huge attention to detail and quality. The Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB is a Sonnar design true to the original formula from 1934, but aims to correct the dreaded focus shift to make it a more enjoyable lens to use on rangefinder cameras. Let’s have a closer look!
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10 as well as the 42mp Sony A7rII and you can find sample pictures taken on the Leica M6, Leica M10 and Nikon Zf.

Sample Images

omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Lomo 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.8
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Ektar 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Ektar 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.8
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Lomo 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/4.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB →

DJ-Optical, Leica M, Review

Review: DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 M

20 Comments

Introduction

review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 on Leica M10

Most manufacturers producing M-mount lenses have at least one super fast 50mm lens in their portfolio and quite often these are prestigious flagship lenses for them. The latest entry is DJ-Optical with his 50mm 1.0 lens for M-mount – produced only in small quantities and officially being sold only in China at the moment. Thanks to one of my readers I was still able to acquire one of these to review it for you, so let’s have a closer look at this intriguing lens.
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10 and the 42mp Sony A7rII.

Sample Images

review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.2
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Boryoza LM-Z | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/2.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Boryoza LM-Z | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0

Continue reading Review: DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 M →

lenses, Meike, Review

REVIEW: Meike 85mm f/1.4 FF STM

8 Comments

Introduction

Meike is stepping up its autofocus game with a bold new lens: an 85mm f/1.4. While it’s not their first AF lens, it’s a pro favourite for portraits and shots that really make the subject pop, with that classic strong subject separation. Meike even claims it’s China’s first 85mm f/1.4 portrait flagship lens—a pretty bold statement. Naturally, I was curious to see it for myself when they offered a copy for review. Let’s find out how good it really is.

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 | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/2.8
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm Ff1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/1.6
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/1.4

Continue reading REVIEW: Meike 85mm f/1.4 FF STM →

Review, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB

60 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB on Sony A7rII

Since its release in 2019 I have been using the Sigma 35mm 1.2 Art DG DN as my main lens for any kind of reportage work. It took until 2025 for another manufacturer to challenge Sigma by releasing a 35mm 1.2 lens with autofocus of their own. Actually, there were two at almost the same time: Nikon with their Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S and Viltrox with this Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB. As the Nikon lens sells for 3 grand it is out of reach for most people. This Viltrox lens is way more attractively priced, so let’s find out if it is time to retire my Sigma 35mm 1.2 Art DG DN after 6 years of usage. 
Last Update March 2026: new sample pictures added

Sample Images

viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.3
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2
viltrox 35mm 1.2 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB | f/1.2

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB →