Category Archives: Review

Review, Zeiss

REVIEW: Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8 MC

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Introduction

Zeiss Jena designed the first Pancolar 50mm with a maximum aperture of f/2 in 1960, partly to offer a faster and better-performing alternative to the Tessar 50mm f/2.8. As competitors began designing and releasing standard 50mm lenses with f/1.8 apertures, Zeiss found it necessary to respond with a lens of similar specification. The result was the Pancolar 50mm f/1.8, which was designed and produced starting in 1964. It was considered one of the best lenses of its era and remains quite popular today. When this lens was around, I was using Japanese cameras and lenses, so I’ve often wondered whether it was better than what I had. Let’s see how it actually performs by modern standards.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F/1.8 | f/4.5
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F/1.8 | f/1.8

Continue reading REVIEW: Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8 MC →

Analogue, Color Negative, Review

Analogue Photography: Part 5 – Kodak ColorPlus 200 at Nostalgic Car Show

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Introduction

In my previous articles, I explored two of the most classic and iconic black-and-white films: Kodak Tri-X and Ilford HP5 Plus. Now I turn my eye to a classic colour negative stock — Kodak ColorPlus 200.

This film is said to be based on an older emulsion technology, one tracing back to the 1970s and 1980s (Kodacolor II / Kodacolor VR). That actually makes it older than Kodak Gold, which many already consider to have a vintage look. So this one should offer an even more vintage feel. Let’s have a look at the images.

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7Artisans, lenses, Review

REVIEW: 7Artisans AF 24mm f/1.8

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Introduction

In this review, I’m looking at the 7Artisans AF 24mm f/1.8. This focal length works well for landscapes, travel, and street photography. It’s wide enough to capture broad scenes without making compositions overly difficult, and with an f/1.8 maximum aperture, it still allows for pleasing background blur and subject separation at practical shooting distances. Let’s see how it performs.

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf )
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/8
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/1.8
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/8
Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/1.8

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Canon, Canon EF-Mount, Review

Review: Canon EF 50mm 1.0 L USM – Still the world’s fastest AF lens

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Introduction

review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM via Fringer EF-NZ on Nikon Zf

Over the past years we saw huge improvements in optical performance of 35mm format lenses –  a trend started by the Zeiss Otus and Sigma Art lineups – and the latest Sony GM and Nikon Z designs offer an optical performance unheard of only a few years before. Still, there are some lenses that never saw a successor and this Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM is one such lens. Released in 1989 this is still the fastest fullframe autofocus lens ever made. But what compromises were needed to make a lens like this, leading to no one ever daring to try this again for at least 36 years? Let’s find out in this review.
The lens is mainly being tested on a 24mp Nikon Zf.

Sample Images

review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.0
review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.0
review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.0
review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.4
review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.0
review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.0
review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.0
review canon ef 50mm 1.0 l usm 1.0l world's fastest AF autofocus lens contrast resolution 42mp 24mp 61mp analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF-NZ | Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM | f/1.0

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon Nikkor 105mm 1.8 Ai-s

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Introduction

nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon 105mm 1.8 via Nikon FTZ II on Nikon Zf

For 36 years this Nikon Nikkor 105mm 1.8 Ai-S has been the fastest 105mm photography lens. Despite its fast maximum aperture it is made of only five elements, can that actually be enough for appealing image quality? Let’s try to find out in this review.

Sample Images

nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/1.8
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/1.8 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/1.8
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/1.8
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/5.6 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/1.8 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6
nikon 105mm 1.8 ai ai-s f/1.8 tele fast 1981 1980 reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Nikon 105mm 1.8 Ai-s | f/1.8

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