Category Archives: lenses

camera, lenses, Manufacturers, Nikon Z, Pergear, Review

Review: Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X – The Most Affordable 2X Macro?

October 16, 2024 Martin 6 Comments

Introduction

It seems to have become a trend among Chinese lens manufacturers to produce full-frame macro lenses with 2X magnification. Here, we have one of the most affordable options: the Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X. Let’s dive into its strengths and weaknesses!

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf and Nikon Zfc)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11

Nikon Zfc | Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X | f/8-11

Continue reading Review: Pergear 60mm f/2.8 MK2 Macro 2X – The Most Affordable 2X Macro? →

Review, Sony, Sony E-mount

Review: Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G

October 12, 2024 BastianK 18 Comments

Introduction

fe 20-70mm 20-70 4.0 g 4.0g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma — Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G on Sony A7rII

One thing is for sure: the move to fullframe mirrorless led to the boundaries of lens design being pushed further and this Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G is a good example of that, as there has never been a zoom with this range before. As a do-it-all travel lens this range is way more appealing to me than those variable aperture 28-200mm or 24-240mm super zooms. But to realize a lens with these parameters, surely some compromises had to be made. Let’s find out about them in this review.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4 E

October 5, 2024 BastianK 9 Comments

Introduction

nikon af af-s 105mm 1.4 1.4E N nano ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance — Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E via adapter on Sony A7rII

The Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E was one of Nikon’s last fast primes designed for the F-mount. And when it was released, I felt like it is supposed to be the replacement for an 85mm 1.2 lens Nikon users never got. Is this the best portrait tele lens ever made for the F-mount? Let’s try to find out.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 105mm 1.4 e n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9 — Sony A7III | Nikon AF-S 105mm 1.4E | Monster LA-FE2 | f/1.4

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Analogue, Nikon, Sigma

Analogue Adventures – Part 35: Kodak Eastman Double-X 200

October 2, 2024 BastianK 21 Comments

The nice thing about this series: sometimes very unexpected things happen. A friend from Hong Kong sent me a roll of Eastman Double-X 200 black and white film. The regular readers already know I am not a huge fan of black and white film, but they also know I could never resist using a film I haven’t used before, so here we are. This did not end how I expected it to though.
Processing and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany, the pictures in this article are from one roll of film.

kodak eastman double x dx 200 expired black white bw sw schwarz weiss weiß nikon f80 sigma — Nikon F80 | Eastman Double-X | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 35: Kodak Eastman Double-X 200 →

camera, lenses, Manufacturers, Nikon Z, Review, TTArtisan

Review: TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2

September 29, 2024 Martin 20 Comments

Introduction

TTArtisan has produced several affordable and well-regarded manual lenses in recent years. Now, they’ve introduced their first full-frame autofocus lens: a 75mm f/2, available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts at a budget-friendly price of $178. Lenses in the 50mm to 85mm range are typically known for their strong optical performance, and this focal length is particularly well-suited for portraiture and general-purpose photography, offering a slightly tighter field of view than a standard 50mm. The 75mm f/2 allows for excellent subject isolation while maintaining enough background detail to keep the blur subtly recognisable. Let’s dive into its strengths and weaknesses!

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!