Category Archives: lenses

Review: Carl Zeiss Jena 109mm 1.6 Visionar

Introduction

projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 109mm 1.6
Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 109mm 1.6 modified to Canon EF on Sony A7rII

The Visionar 109mm 1.6 is a cinema projector lens from Carl Zeiss Jena which was made in the GDR. These projector lenses are often very fast and cheap, but they also come with a few downsides. This is the first projector lens we will review at this blog, so find out if there is still a place for these today.

Sample Images

projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 109mm 1.6
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 109mm 1.6 | f/1.6
projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 109mm 1.6
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 109mm 1.6 | f/1.6
projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 109mm 1.6
Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 109mm 1.6 | f/1.6

Continue reading Review: Carl Zeiss Jena 109mm 1.6 Visionar

Review: Zeiss Loxia 2.4/25

In this review we put the Loxia 2.4/25 to the test and see if it performs as well as we expect from a $1299 Zeiss lens.

Samples Images

Many sample images in full resolution can be found in my Loxia 2.4/25 flickr album.

Changelog

  • Update 1 (27.03.): New sample images, Bokeh, Flare, Sunstars, CA
  • Update 2 (02.04.): New sample images, conclusion
  • Update 3 (19.04.): Distortion, field curvature, laCA

Continue reading Review: Zeiss Loxia 2.4/25

Long-term Review: Minolta MC Rokkor 1:1.2 58mm

The Minolta MC 1.2/58 is probably Minolta’s most famous lens and a personal favorite of mine. In this in-depth review I have a close look at the Minolta’s qualities and also at its weaknesses.

Image Samples

You can find most images shown in the review in full resolution in this Minolta MC 1.2/58 flickr album.

Continue reading Long-term Review: Minolta MC Rokkor 1:1.2 58mm

Review: Laowa Magic Shift Converter 17mm 4.0

Introduction

laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective
Sony A7rII with Laowa Magic Shift Converter and 12mm 2.8 Zero-D lens

You ask what the heck a Magic Shift Converter is? This is a 1.4x tele converter for wide angle lenses and adds ±10mm shift movement. It for example turns Laowa’s 12mm 2.8 in a 17mm 4.0 ±10mm shift lens. In this review you will find out how this can be useful and what the influence on the image quality of the master lens is.

Sample Images

laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/8.0
laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/8.0
laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/4.0

Continue reading Review: Laowa Magic Shift Converter 17mm 4.0

Review: Leica APO-Elmarit-R 2.8/180

Phillip was kind enough to ask me to write a review of one of my favorite lenses: The Leica R Apo-Elmarit 180mm/F2.8 E67.

I love this lens because it is optically excellent from wide open,  lacks field curvature, has pleasing rendering, is well corrected, is small enough to comfortably hand hold, and is bright enough at F2.8 to use even in less than optimal light.  I use this lens on Sony because there is no comparable native lens available.

It has been called the world’s best medium telephoto lens. While I cannot confirm or deny this claim, it is indeed a very fine optic in my experience. As will be seen below, it has many virtues and few weaknesses.

Sample Images

Images shown in this review can be found here in higher resolution.

F2.8
F2.8 or 4
F4

Continue reading Review: Leica APO-Elmarit-R 2.8/180