Category Archives: photography

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 →

Laowa, Leica M, Sigma, Sony, Sony E-mount, Technical, Voigtlander, Zeiss

Different Filter Stacks and what they mean for us: Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT

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Introduction

filter stack comparison sony e nikon z fe leica m kolari UT

When Sony released the first affordable fullframe camera with the A7 in 2013 almost none of the enthusiast photographers were aware of issues related to filter stack differences. Filter stack describes what is in front of the sensor and different manufacturers decided to go for different thicknesses here that can influence how our lenses perform. If you stay within just one system this is usually not something to care about, but when adapting lenses it is very helpful to be aware of this topic.

In this article I try to tell you about these differences and for what lenses they matter, so you can find out if it is something that might affect you.

Continue reading Different Filter Stacks and what they mean for us: Sony E | Nikon Z | Leica M | Kolari UT →

Accessories, Nikon, Technical, The creative process

Using Speedboosters on Fullframe Cameras

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Introduction

Zhong Yi LensTurboII and Nikon AF 85mm 1.4D via Pixco Speedbooster on Sony A7rII

Speedboosters are still somewhat popular among videographers, but since these days used fullframe cameras are very affordable, this is not really the case for still photographers anymore. They can be used for some creative shallow depth of field photography on fullframe cameras though, and that is what we will have a look at here.

Sample Pictures

Sony A7r | Zhong Yi LensTurbo II | Canon nFD 85mm 1.2L | ©Simeon Kolev

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Nikon, Nikon, Technical

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

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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.

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Meta, Opinion, photography, The creative process, The Team's favorites

2023 in Pictures

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Introduction

laowa 35mm 0.95 worlds fastest lens review bokeh 42mp 61mp laowa venus optics venuslens fullframe contrast resolution bokeh optical vignetting fall off
Sony A7III | Laowa 35mm 0.95 | f/8.0

We always tell you about new gear here, but at the end of the day lenses are just tools needed to take nice pictures. Martin and I went through all the pictures we took in 2023 to choose our 10 favorites. You can find those pictures here with a bit of additional information, for which there is not always a place in the gear reviews.

Continue reading 2023 in Pictures →