Category Archives: Manufacturers

Review: 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF

Introduction

7Artisans AF sony fe 50mm fullframe lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait
7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF on Sony A7rII

It was the beginning of 2019 when I published my first review of a 7Artisans lens, the 28mm 1.4 FE+ – an M-mount lens optimized for Sony E-mount. Now, 5 years later, this 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF is their first autofocus lens. Let us find out what it is capable of.

Sample Images

7Artisans AF sony fe 50mm fullframe lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF | f/1.8
7Artisans AF sony fe 50mm fullframe lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF | f/1.8
7Artisans AF sony fe 50mm fullframe lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF | f/1.8
7Artisans AF sony fe 50mm fullframe lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF | f/1.8
7Artisans AF sony fe 50mm fullframe lens contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9 bokeh portrait
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF | f/1.8

Continue reading Review: 7Artisans 50mm 1.8 AF

Nikon AF 180mm 2.8(D): Versions, Teardown and Repair Guide

Introduction

nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 D on Nikon FM2n

As you may or may not know there have been several different versions of the Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 over the years. Most notable was the addition of the “D” feature in 1994, allowing the lens to transmit distance information to the camera for more accurate usage of camera flash. As this lens was first released in 1986 some of the samples approach an age of 40 years. As with every product that old, there are some things to be aware of when you are looking to buy a used sample. One of our readers, Q. Xu, did a side-by-side teardown of both versions, so we get to have a closer look at the differences between these versions and what to watch out for.
Of course this article may also be of help if you are looking to perform some kind of repairs on this lens on your own.

Continue reading Nikon AF 180mm 2.8(D): Versions, Teardown and Repair Guide

Analogue Adventures – Part 29: Kodak Farbwelt 200 (expired)

Kodak Farbwelt 200

I found a few rolls of Kodak Farbwelt 200 that must have expired some 20 years ago and most likely they haven’t been properly stored at all. This first roll I exposed as ISO50 and I had absolutely no idea what to expect. The lab wasn’t happy and told me the film was massively expired and the scanner had a hard time scanning the negatives. Let’s see if some usable pictures came out of this.
Processing (C-41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany.

kodak farbwelt 200 analogue minolta cle voigtländer vm 40mm 1.4
Minolta CLE | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 | f/1.4 | Kodak Farbwelt 200
kodak farbwelt 200 analogue minolta cle voigtländer vm 40mm 1.4
Minolta CLE | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 | f/1.4 | Kodak Farbwelt 200
kodak farbwelt 200 analogue minolta cle voigtländer vm 40mm 1.4
Minolta CLE | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 | f/5.6 | Kodak Farbwelt 200
kodak farbwelt 200 analogue minolta cle canon 50mm 1.4 ltm m39
Minolta CLE | Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM | f/2.8 | Kodak Farbwelt 200

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 29: Kodak Farbwelt 200 (expired)

Review: Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton

Introduction

Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 nokton fle review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting
Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton on Leica M10

Before the release of the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.0 Nokton in 2022, this Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton was Cosina’s most expensive M-mount lens and also one of their most complex ones – thanks to 13 elements in 11 groups, 4 aspherical surfaces and a floating elements design. Unfortunately this also made it one of their heaviest and most expensive lenses and I have the feeling it didn’t quite get the momentum Cosina expected for their flagship lens, hence in many parts of the world the price has been reduced several times since release – reason enough to have a closer look at this intriguing lens now.
Lens is being reviewed on Sony A7rII and Leica M10

Sample Images

Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 nokton fle review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/1.4 | see this article
Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 nokton fle review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/1.4
Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 nokton fle review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/1.4
Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 nokton fle review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/11
Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 nokton fle review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting
Sony A7rII UT | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton

Comparison: Fast 28mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/1.5 Fullframe Lenses

Introduction

28mm fullframe comparison 1.4 1.2 1.5 voigtländer laowa nikon af-s af-d argus nokton thypoch simera sigma art dg contrast resolution bokeh vignetting coma sharpness loca ca
Sigma 28mm 1.4 Art | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | Nikon AF 28mm 1.4D | Laowa 28mm 1.2 Argus | Thypoch Simera 28mm 1.4 | Voigtländer VM 28mm 1.5 Nokton

To me, fast 28mm fullframe lenses are very useful. No matter where I go, I either carry a fast 28mm or a fast 35mm lens. When it comes to the 28mm focal length we are not exactly blessed with great options though. I gathered six of those ranging from f/1.2 to f/1.5 and will compare them, to give you an idea which might work best for your needs.

Continue reading Comparison: Fast 28mm f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/1.5 Fullframe Lenses