Category Archives: Review

Leica M, Review

Review: Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB

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Introduction

omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele on Leica M10

I think I have always been at the forefront to introduce (new) niché lens manufacturers to you guys. Omnar lenses definitely is one of those: a boutique lens manufacturer based in the UK, producing low quantities of unique lenses and also offering lens conversions with a huge attention to detail and quality. The Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB is a Sonnar design true to the original formula from 1934, but aims to correct the dreaded focus shift to make it a more enjoyable lens to use on rangefinder cameras. Let’s have a closer look!
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10 as well as the 42mp Sony A7rII and you can find sample pictures taken on the Leica M6, Leica M10 and Nikon Zf.

Sample Images

omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Lomo 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.8
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Ektar 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Ektar 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/2.8
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Leica M6 | Lomo 100 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 | f/4.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0
omnar bertele sonnar flb review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh 50mm 2.0 film analogue focus shift skyllaney
Nikon Zf | Techart TZM 02 | Omnar 50mm 2.0 Bertele FLB | f/2.0

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DJ-Optical, Leica M, Review

Review: DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 M

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Introduction

review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 on Leica M10

Most manufacturers producing M-mount lenses have at least one super fast 50mm lens in their portfolio and quite often these are prestigious flagship lenses for them. The latest entry is DJ-Optical with his 50mm 1.0 lens for M-mount – produced only in small quantities and officially being sold only in China at the moment. Thanks to one of my readers I was still able to acquire one of these to review it for you, so let’s have a closer look at this intriguing lens.
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10 and the 42mp Sony A7rII.

Sample Images

review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.2
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Boryoza LM-Z | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/2.0
review DJ DJO DJ-optical optical china leica m 50mm 1.0 f/1.0 1,0 f/1,0 lens contrast resolution m11 m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Boryoza LM-Z | DJ-Optical 50mm 1.0 | f/1.0

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lenses, Meike, Review

REVIEW: Meike 85mm f/1.4 FF STM

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Introduction

Meike is stepping up its autofocus game with a bold new lens: an 85mm f/1.4. While it’s not their first AF lens, it’s a pro favourite for portraits and shots that really make the subject pop, with that classic strong subject separation. Meike even claims it’s China’s first 85mm f/1.4 portrait flagship lens—a pretty bold statement. Naturally, I was curious to see it for myself when they offered a copy for review. Let’s find out how good it really is.

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 | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/2.8
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm Ff1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/1.6
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/1.4
Nikon Zf | Meike 85mm f/1.4 | f/1.4

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Leica M, Review, Thypoch

Review: Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana Epoch

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Introduction

thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana on Leica M10

After Simera and Eureka Thypoch’s next lens lineup is called Ksana. The first lens of this series is the Thypoch 21mm 3.5 Ksana. A modern optical design with aspherical element but coatings reminiscent of Canon’s FD lenses from 1973. An interesting combination on paper, so let’s have a closer look!
Lens is being tested on 24mp Leica M10 and 42mp Sony A7rII

Sample Images

thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/5.6
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/5.6
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5 | Ai Denoise
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/8.0 | Ai Denoise
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/3.5
thypoch ksana epoch 73 coating 21mm 3.5 compact leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting limited
Leica M10 | Thypoch 21mm 3.5 | f/11

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Review, Vintage, Zeiss

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

10 Comments

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 →