Category Archives: Manufacturers

Accessories, Adapters, Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Monster LA-FE1 and LA-FE2 AF Adapter (Nikon-F to Sony-E)

May 8, 2024 BastianK 25 Comments

Introduction

monster la-fe2 lafe2 lafe 2 la-fe 2 II Mark MK autofocus autofokus auto focus adapter sony nikon z e mirrorless screwdrive screw driven review performance eye af — Monster LA-FE2 adapter

Canon users that wanted to get into the fullframe mirrorless E-mount world early were in a good spot: the Sigma MC-11 and the metabones Canon EF to Sony E adapters allowed using Canon EF-mount lenses on Sony cameras with only little limitations. For Nikon F-mount users the situation was sadly way worse and it took some time before the first similar adapter (Commlite CMF-EN1) was released – and that one had a lot of issues.

But suddenly, out of nowhere, the situation changed. With the release of the Monster LA-FE1 and later the LA-FE2 adapter we can now finally adapt Nikon F-mount lenses in a similar quality as those Canon EF-mount ones. The LA-FE2 even allows auto focus with the screwdriven Nikon AF(-D) lenses to work on Sony – something not even possible on Nikon’s own Z-mount cameras. Let’s have a closer look.
Update 07/24: more lenses tested, FW 06 for LA-FE1 tested

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Nikon Z, Review, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 STM ASPH ED IF

May 2, 2024 Martin 16 Comments

Introduction

Viltrox Review test Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 f2.5 STM ASPH ED IF nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc z 7 z 7ii review nikon z test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon sample image images

Viltrox offers some of the best value AF lenses on the market and now they have come up with this AF 40mm f/2.5 at $158. It should be one of the least expensive fullframe AF lenses with Nikon Z mount and therefore quite interesting. 40mm is one of my favorite focal lengths. Closer to the human’s natural angle of view than a 50mm, and slightly wider than 50mm, it allows for more context to be included in the image. I prefer this focal length to a 50mm for street and everyday photography. The Viltrox Z 40/2.5 with its compact format is therefore an interesting lens. It is not a Viltrox “Pro” or “LAB” lens, which are their premium series, but very compelling nonetheless. Let’s have a look at it!

I tested this lens on a Nikon Z 7II with its 46 Mp sensor.

Sample Images

Viltrox Review test Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 f2.5 STM ASPH ED IF nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc z 7 z 7ii review nikon z test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon sample image images — Nikon Z 7II | Viltrox 40/2.5 | f/2.5

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Leica, Review, Thypoch

Review: Thypoch Simera 28mm 1.4

April 28, 2024 BastianK 38 Comments

Introduction

thypoch simera 28mm 1.4 fast wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting — Thypoch Simera 28mm 1.4 on Leica M10

Thypoch is a new manufacturer of photography lenses and entered the market at the end of 2023 with two M-mount lenses, the Simera 28mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.4. There are a lof of 35mm 1.4 lenses for M-mount, but only a handful of 28mm 1.4s, so I am very curious what this final production model of the 28mm 1.4 is capable of.

This lens is also part of my Comparison of Fast 28mm Fullframe Lenses.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton – The last F-mount lens?

April 25, 2024 BastianK 21 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer sl iis nokton nikon f 55mm 1.2 ai-s fast review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait — Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton on Nikon FM2n

Cosina is always up for a surprise and when they announced this Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton for the Nikon F-mount in 2023 – 5 years after Nikon transitioned to the Z-mount – that surely was a big surprise. Lenses as fast as f/1.2 are rare birds in the F-mount world because they are really operating at the limit of this bayonet. As I will show you in this review, Cosina’s engineers managed to create something that Nikon’s engineers were not able to achieve in over 60 years.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton – The last F-mount lens? →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon Nikkor 105mm 2.5 Ai – The Portrait Tele Bestseller

April 21, 2024 BastianK 26 Comments

Introduction

nikon 105mm 2.5 ai ai-s f/2.5 tele fast 1971 1977 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting — Nikon 105mm 2.5 Ai via K&F adapter on Sony A7rII

Some lenses became famous because they are rare and/or expensive. Neither is the case for the Nikon Nikkor 105mm 2.5 Ai. In fact – from the early 70s to the mid 80s – Nikon made a lot of them, it was by far their best selling short tele prime. Why was that? And are there still good reasons to use this lens today? Let’s find out in this review.