Category Archives: Manufacturers

Leica, Leica M, Review

Review: Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MK II

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Introduction

35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MK II on Leica M10

In 2022 Leica started updating some of their f/1.4 Summilux-M lenses. The first lens to receive this treatment was the Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph (now often referred to as “FLE MK II”). While the optical design seems to have remained mostly the same, the new lens features a different casing design and also focuses much closer. It is public knowledge: I was not a big fan of the first generation of this lens, so let’s find out if the seemingly minor update was enough to sway the scale!

Sample Images

35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 1.4 FLE MK II | f/5.6 | CPL
35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 1.4 FLE MK II | f/1.4 | CPL
35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 1.4 FLE MK II | f/1.4
35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 1.4 FLE MK II | f/1.4
35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 1.4 FLE MK II | f/1.4
35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MKII mark 2 leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp
Leica M10 | Leica 35mm 1.4 FLE MK II | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Leica 35mm 1.4 Summilux-M Asph FLE MK II →

lenses, Nikon, Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S

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Introduction

Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S

Today we look at one of the first lenses released for Nikon’s Z mount full-frame mirrorless cameras: the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S. This standard lens is versatile enough to be used in street, travel, and  everyday photography. it is also a good choice for portraiture, especially on an APS-C camera or on a fullframe camera in DX mode. Combined with a fast f/1.8 aperture, it’s the right choice whenever you don’t know what to expect and want to be prepared for anything, as it gives you both fast shutter speeds and pretty out-of-focus background blur. Lenses with this focal length and maximum aperture combination have been known as Nifty Fifties, but for $630 it sits between the traditionally affordable ‘Nifty Fifty’ lenses and the more expensive f/1.4 professional options. So, the question remains: is it a traditional Nifty Fifty or a sophisticated high-end lens? Let’s find out!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images Nikon Z 7 II, Nikon Z fc, and Nikon Z f)
You can see this review as YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8

Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8

Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8

Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8

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Analogue, Nikon, Nikon, Projects

Analogue Adventures – Part 33: Harman Phoenix 200

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Harman Phoenix 200

This Harman Phoenix 200 is said to be a newly designed colour negative analogue film that hit the market in early 2024. Many people did not expect anyone except for Kodak and Fuji even being able to produce a (new) color negative film, so it created quite the buzz. I am all for more competition, but I am not really sure this is the film we were hoping for, let me tell you why.
Processing (C.41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany. The pictures in this article are from two rolls of film.

harman phoenix 200 review nikon f analogue film italy garda venice venezia
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Harman Phoenix 200
harman phoenix 200 review nikon f analogue film italy garda venice venezia
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Harman Phoenix 200
harman phoenix 200 review nikon f analogue film italy garda venice venezia
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Harman Phoenix 200
harman phoenix 200 review nikon f analogue film italy garda venice venezia
Nikon F80 | Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G | Harman Phoenix 200
harman phoenix 200 review nikon f analogue film italy garda venice venezia
Nikon FM2 | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | Harman Phoenix 200

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 33: Harman Phoenix 200 →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai – The first of its Kind

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Introduction

nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED on Sony A7rII

The Nikon Nikkor 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai from 1977 is not only one of Nikon’s most famous lenses, it is also one of the few super fast tele lenses in the ~200mm range I did not yet get my hands on. I have been watching the eBay auctions for this lens for years and at the end of 2023 I managed to find one in mint condition at a price I could afford. So finally, here we are, to have a closer look at the first of its kind.

Sample Images

nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon 200mm 2.0 | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon 200mm 2.0 | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0 | pano from 4 shots | 130mm f/1.3 equivalent

Continue reading Review: Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai – The first of its Kind →

Leica M, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton – Better than its reputation?

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Introduction

Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.1 nokton noctilux review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting coma
Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton on Leica M10

Not counting special editions Cosina released ten different 50mm rangefinder lenses by now. This Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton was the first super fast one, featuring an all spherical design similar to the Leica 50mm 1.0 Noctilux. Despite its appealing f/1.1 maximum aperture, this has never been one of Cosina’s more popular lenses – which is clearly reflected by its used price, as you can often find it for ~$500. For a lens this fast that is not a bad price, reason enough to have a closer look at this lens myself.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.1 nokton noctilux review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting coma
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton | f/1.1
Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.1 nokton noctilux review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting coma
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton | f/1.1
Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.1 nokton noctilux review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting coma
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton | f/2.0
Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.1 nokton noctilux review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting coma
Leica M10 | Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton | f/1.1

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton – Better than its reputation? →