Category Archives: Review

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

January 7, 2026 Martin 1 Comment

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

January 4, 2026 Martin 10 Comments

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-icon2 I 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

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Canon, Canon EF-Mount, Review

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

December 30, 2025 BastianK 23 Comments

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

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon Nikkor 105mm 1.8 Ai-s

December 28, 2025 BastianK 10 Comments

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

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Review, Sony, Sony E-mount

Review: Sony FE 70-200mm 4.0 G Macro OSS II

December 20, 2025 BastianK 13 Comments

Introduction

sony fe 70mm-200 4.0 g macro oss mark ii mk 2 sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma — Sony FE 70-200mm 4.0 G Macro OSS II on Sony A7rII

Sony managed to significantly reduce the weight of their 70-200mm 2.8 zoom with its second iteration, leaving less room for an f/4.0 version below that. With the weight difference between the f/2.8 and this f/4.0 lens being a mere 250g, Sony had to find another way to make this Sony FE 70-200mm 4.0 G Macro OSS II more attractive and they tried to do that by adding a 1:2 macro feature. But was that enough? Let’s find out in this review.