Category Archives: lenses

Comparison: The Battle of 35mm lenses – Nikon Z vs Sigma vs Tamron vs Zeiss vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s

Introduction

Comparison: The Battle of 35:s - Nikon Nikkor Z 35 1.8 S vs Sigma 35 mm HSM Art vs Tamron USD vs Carl Zeiss Distagon vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s 35mm Which one best 35mm Viltrox ETZ ef to Z, FTZ adapter Megadap adapter K&F Concept adapter AF adapter

If you ask all the photographers, which single prime lens they would choose if they could own only one lens in the world, the majority would say the 35mm, and most of the rest would say a fast 35mm. This is because it is one of the most versatile prime lenses. Although it’s a wide-angle lens, it is sometimes referred to as the alternative normal lens because it is so close to the standard focal length that it does not distort the subject much. With such lenses, you can also get a good background separation with a nice bokeh. They are useful in almost all kinds of photography, especially in everyday photography, street photography, environmental portraits, landscapes, weddings, events, and travel. Additionally, it works well for stitched astrophotography.

Its popularity has led to numerous 35mm lenses being produced by various manufacturers from the early days of photography to the modern era. In this article, I will compare six of them, from vintage to old to new. Let’s have a look together!

Sample Images

Comparison: The Battle of 35 35s - Nikon Nikkor Z 35 1.8 S vs Sigma 35 mm HSM Art vs Tamron USD vs Carl Zeiss Distagon vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s 35mm Which one best 35mm Viltrox ETZ ef to Z, FTZ adapter Megadap adapter K&F Concept adapter AF adapter Nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf
Nikon Z6 | Nikon 35/1.4 Ai-s | Nikon FTZ | f/1.4
Comparison: The Battle of 35 35s - Nikon Nikkor Z 35 1.8 S vs Sigma 35 mm HSM Art vs Tamron USD vs Carl Zeiss Distagon vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s 35mm Which one best 35mm Viltrox ETZ ef to Z, FTZ adapter Megadap adapter K&F Concept adapter AF adapter Nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf
Nikon Z6 | Nikon 35/1.4 Ai-s | Nikon FTZ | f/1.4
Comparison: The Battle of 35 35s - Nikon Nikkor Z 35 1.8 S vs Sigma 35 mm HSM Art vs Tamron USD vs Carl Zeiss Distagon vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s 35mm Which one best 35mm Viltrox ETZ ef to Z, FTZ adapter Megadap adapter K&F Concept adapter AF adapter Nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf
Nikon Z6 | Sigma 35/1.4 HSM Art | Viltrox EF-Z | f/1.4
Comparison: The Battle of 35 35s - Nikon Nikkor Z 35 1.8 S vs Sigma 35 mm HSM Art vs Tamron USD vs Carl Zeiss Distagon vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s 35mm Which one best 35mm Viltrox ETZ ef to Z, FTZ adapter Megadap adapter K&F Concept adapter AF adapter Nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf
Nikon Z6 | Tamron 35/1.4 USD | Nikon FTZ | f/1.4
Comparison: The Battle of 35 35s - Nikon Nikkor Z 35 1.8 S vs Sigma 35 mm HSM Art vs Tamron USD vs Carl Zeiss Distagon vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s 35mm Which one best 35mm Viltrox ETZ ef to Z, FTZ adapter Megadap adapter K&F Concept adapter AF adapter Nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf
Nikon Z6 |Carl Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4 HFT | KF QBM-NIK Z | f/2.8

Continue reading Comparison: The Battle of 35mm lenses – Nikon Z vs Sigma vs Tamron vs Zeiss vs Pergear vs Nikon Ai-s

Review: Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0

Introduction

light lens lab elcan review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue
Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0 on Leica M10

The original Leica 50mm 2.0 Elcan has been produced for the American army together with the KE-7A camera. According to the information I found, only 500 have been made, therefore a set of lens and camera will set you back around $30,000 these days.
Obviously this is purely a collector’s price, that has nothing to do with this lens’ value for actual photography.
Now if you want to use this lens without spending 30k, Light Lens Lab has you covered, as they offer a replica for $800. This is what we will have a look at in this review.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

light lens lab elcan review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue
Leica M10 | Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0  | f/2.0
light lens lab elcan review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue
Leica M10 | Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0  | f/2.0
light lens lab elcan review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue
Leica M10 | Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0  | f/2.0
light lens lab elcan review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue
Leica M10 | Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0  | f/2.0
light lens lab elcan review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue
Leica M10 | Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0  | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Light Lens Lab 50mm 2.0

Analogue Adventures – Part 27: Kodak Portra 800 Push +1 ECN-2

kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Kodak Portra 800

Here we will look how the Portra 800 holds up when pushed by one stop in combination with the ECN-2 processing.
Exposed as ISO800. Processing (ECN-2, Push +1) and scanning was done at Silbersalz35 in Germany.

kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/2.0 | Portra 800 +1 ECN-2
kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/1.4 | Portra 800 +1 ECN-2
kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/1.4 | Portra 800 +1 ECN-2
kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/1.4 | Portra 800 +1 ECN-2
kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/2.0 | Portra 800 +1 ECN-2

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 27: Kodak Portra 800 Push +1 ECN-2

Used Lens and Camera Shopping Guide for Japan

Introduction

Sony A7rII | Zeiss Loxia 21mm 2.8 | f/4.0

If you are looking for used lenses or cameras, Japan can be a real dream destination. Having already been there two times myself I know from first hand experience that it isn’t easy to locate some of the more interesting stores though. My Finnish expat friend Juha Kannisto – who is living in Tokyo – has been helping out photographers from all over the world for years already when it comes to this topic.

I thought it would be useful to collect all this knowledge and turn it into an easy-to-access article, so here we are.

Continue reading Used Lens and Camera Shopping Guide for Japan

Review: Voigtlander VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar

Introduction

voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar on Leica M10

One thing is clear by now, no one can correctly predict what Voigtländer lens Cosina will release next. In mid 2023, when many people were expecting a fast 28mm to fit inbetween the VM 21mm 1.4 and VM 35mm 1.2 III, they did the opposite and released this Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar. One stop slower, smaller and lighter than the highly regarded VM 28mm 2.0 MK II, but not a lot cheaper. Let’s find out in this review who this lens is for and who is better off with the faster f/2.0 version.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar | f/8.0 | CPL
voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar | f/8.0
voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar | f/5.6
voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar | f/8.0 | CPL
voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar | f/4.0
voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Sony A7III | Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar | LM-EA9 | f/2.8 | RNI Aerochrome profile
voigtländer 28mm 2.8 color skopar ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Voigtlander VM 28mm 2.8 Color-Skopar