Category Archives: Manufacturers

Analogue Adventures – Part 1: Choosing a Camera

Introduction

Agfa Isolette – roughly worth its weight in strawberries

I shot analogue with two cameras in the past, a Nikon F80 and a Nikon FE2.

The F80 is actually a very modern camera which supports AF, VR, matrix metering and a few other things, but the rubber got sticky and I got rid of most of my Nikon lenses quite some time ago, so I have little incentive to use it these days.

The FE2 was better at giving the “analogue” feeling, but some parts of the mechanics are broken as the film advance doesn’t work properly. So on my first and only roll of film with this camera I ended up with a bunch of useless quadruple exposures.

The adventure of analogue photography ended for me here.

Until the day I was strolling through Stuttgart and discovered a camera store displaying a Nikon FM2, FM3a and F3 – all in mint condition and all – at least to my eyes – beautiful cameras. I got the idea of getting one of those, because: why not shoot some film for a change?

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Review: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Introduction

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is one of many fast 85mm lenses for the system. Is this lens the cheaper and lighter alternative to the Sony GM 85mm f/1.4 we were hoping for?

Sample Images

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | f/4
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | f/1.4
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | f/1.4
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | f/1.4

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Review: Laowa 45mm 0.95

Introduction

laowa 45mm 0.95 world's fastest lens e-mount review contrast sharpness resolution bokeh vignetting coma
Laowa 45mm 0.95 on Sony A7rII

The Laowa 45mm 0.95 is the latest addition to Laowa’s high speed Argus line up and thereby follows the footsteps of the record breaking 35mm 0.95. A maximum aperture of f/0.95 is always exciting whereas a focal length of 45mm is a rather rare bird. Let’s see what the differences between these two lenses are and who this 45mm is for!

Sample Images

laowa 45mm 0.95 world's fastest lens e-mount review contrast sharpness resolution bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Laowa 45mm 0.95 | f/0.95
laowa 45mm 0.95 world's fastest lens e-mount review contrast sharpness resolution bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Laowa 45mm 0.95 | f/0.95
laowa 45mm 0.95 world's fastest lens e-mount review contrast sharpness resolution bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Laowa 45mm 0.95 | f/0.95
laowa 45mm 0.95 world's fastest lens e-mount review contrast sharpness resolution bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Laowa 45mm 0.95 | f/0.95
laowa 45mm 0.95 world's fastest lens e-mount review contrast sharpness resolution bokeh vignetting coma
Sony A7III | Laowa 45mm 0.95 | f/0.95

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Review: Laowa 85mm 5.6 2:1 Macro

Introduction

laowa 85mm 5.6 2:1 ff ii macro twice life size makro mirko 42mp 61mp resolution bokeh sharpness contrast
Laowa 85mm 5.6 Macro on Sony A7rII

I have a soft spot for lenses with unique parameters and a compact 85mm macro lens offering a staggering maximum magnification of 2:1 while being only 260g heavy certainly fits the bill. But everything comes at a price and a maximum aperture of f/5.6 does not exactly sound appealing, so let us find out in this review if this ends up being an issue and who this lens is for.

Sample Images

laowa 85mm 5.6 2:1 ff ii macro twice life size makro mirko 42mp 61mp resolution bokeh sharpness contrast
Sony A7III | Laowa 85mm 5.6 Macro | f/5.6
laowa 85mm 5.6 2:1 ff ii macro twice life size makro mirko 42mp 61mp resolution bokeh sharpness contrast
Sony A7III | Laowa 85mm 5.6 Macro | f/5.6
laowa 85mm 5.6 2:1 ff ii macro twice life size makro mirko 42mp 61mp resolution bokeh sharpness contrast
Sony A7III | Laowa 85mm 5.6 Macro | f/11

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