Category Archives: Review

camera, Comparison, Laowa, lenses, Nikon Z, Review

REVIEW/COMPARISON: Laowa FF II TS 55mm & 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X

December 20, 2024 Martin 7 Comments

Introduction

Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro on Nikon Z7II

UPDATE 20.12.2024:
Reworked the close-up sharpness section and added both 1:1 and 1:2 magnification test shots for both lenses.

The Laowa FF II TS 55mm and 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X lenses are true macro lenses, offering 1:1 magnification along with tilt-shift functionality that enhances control over the focal plane.

While major camera and lens manufacturers like Canon, Sony, Nikon, Leica, Panasonic, Hasselblad, Sigma, and Tamron have largely overlooked this niche in mirrorless cameras, Laowa has stepped up to fill the gap. Their lenses, available in almost all major mounts, feature tilt and shift capabilities that open up new creative possibilities for photographers.

The tilt function allows precise control over the focal plane, enabling photographers to either extend or limit the in-focus area. This makes these lenses perfect for capturing intricate product details or adding selective focus for artistic compositions. With such versatility, Laowa’s lenses offer greater creative control over depth of field, making them a valuable tool for specialised photography needs

Since these two lenses are almost identical in shape, build, and handling, and were released simultaneously, I decided to combine my review of both. This way, I can avoid repeating the same points and provide a direct comparison, so you can see them side by side.

camera-icon2 I tested these lenses 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 higher resolution here

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/11

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/5.6 (Shift panorama)

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 55mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 No Tilt

Nikon Zf | Laowa FF II TS 100mm f/2.8 1X Macro | f/2.8 | Tilted

Continue reading REVIEW/COMPARISON: Laowa FF II TS 55mm & 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1X →

lenses, Manufacturers, Review, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF (APS-C)

December 18, 2024 Martin 6 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 35mm 1.7

The APS-C 35mm focal length is equivalent to 52mm on a Fullframe camera, therefore it is in the ‘standard’ focal length category and very close to the classic 50mm lenses on fullframe cameras, with an angle of view offering none of the ‘perspective distortion’ associated with wide angle or telephoto lenses. This lens on an APS-C camera is equivalent to a Nifty Fifty on a fullframe camera. Let’s have a closer look at it!

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a 26 Mp Fujifilm X-S10.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Most of the sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/10

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/1.7

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 | Fijifilm X-S10 | f/16

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF (APS-C) →

Leica M, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton

December 7, 2024 BastianK 18 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer vm 35mm 1.5 nokton leica m10 m11 m6 review contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting coma summilux 42mp 61mp 24mp — Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton on Leica M10

I already reviewed several lenses of Cosina’s lineup of fast and compact f/1.5 lenses. So could I say no to having a closer look at this Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton Type I as well? Of course not! Let’s find out more about this cute lens.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9 — Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.5 Nokton →

Review, Sony, Sony Alpha, Sony E-mount

Review: Sony FE 24-50mm 2.8 G

December 4, 2024 BastianK 14 Comments

Introduction

fe 24-50mm 24-50 2.8 g 2.8g sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma — Sony FE 24-50mm 2.8 G on Sony A7rII

When it comes to standard zoom lenses, Sony offers a lot of interesting options. For those most interested in a wide zoom range the Sony FE 20-70mm 4.0 G might be the most appealing option, but if f/4.0 doesn’t cut it and the 24-70mm 2.8 GM lenses are too big and/or too expensive, Sony also has a solution: this Sony FE 24-50mm 2.8 G. Can its optical performance keep up with the GM zooms? Let’s find out in this review!

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Sony FE 24-50mm 2.8 G →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.8G

November 27, 2024 BastianK 4 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 28mm 1.8 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9 — Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.8G via Monster LA-FE1 on Sony A7rII

The Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.8G was the most affordable f/1.8 wide angle prime in Nikon’s AF-S era. It always flew a bit under the radar, probably because many people already had a zoom lens covering 28mm at f/2.8 or because they preferred a 24mm or 35mm. Good fast 28mm lenses are rare birds though, so let’s have a closer look at this one.