Category Archives: Review

Review: Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E

Introduction

nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E on Nikon FM2

In 1979 Nikon released a lineup of cheaper manual focus lenses called “Series E” instead of “Nikkor”. Today we will have a closer look at the Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E, probably the most popular lens of that series and definitely the smallest.

Sample Images

nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon D800 | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/4.0
nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon D800 | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/8.0
nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon D800 | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/4.0
nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Zf | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/1.8
nikon 50mm 1.8 serie series e cheap affordable nikkor review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon FM2n | Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E | f/1.8 | Elite Chrome 200 | E-6

Continue reading Review: Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E

Review: Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4 E

Introduction

nikon af-s 28mm 1.4 e 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 1.4E via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

Interestingly out of the big camera manufacturers of the (D)SLR era only Nikon ever produced a 28mm 1.4 fullframe lens. They started in 1993 with the world’s first lens with these specifications, the Nikon AF 28mm 1.4D, and then released an updated version in 2017, this Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E. It was one of their last f/1.4 primes still designed for DSLRs, so let us find out what it is capable of in this review.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 28mm 1.4 e n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/2.8 | pano from 7 shots
nikon af-s 28mm 1.4 e n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/1.4
nikon af-s 28mm 1.4 e n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/1.4
nikon af-s 28mm 1.4 e n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Zf | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/1.4
Silbersalz silbersalz35 125t vivid edition fuji eterna tungsten analogue analog ecn-2
Nikon F80 | Silbersalz 125T | ECN-2 | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/1.4
Silbersalz silbersalz35 125t vivid edition fuji eterna tungsten analogue analog ecn-2
Nikon F80 | Silbersalz 125T | ECN-2 | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/1.4
Silbersalz silbersalz35 125t vivid edition fuji eterna tungsten analogue analog ecn-2
Nikon F80 | Silbersalz 125T | ECN-2 | Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4E | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4 E

Review: Sigma 135mm 1.4 Art DG – The actual Bokeh Master

Introduction

sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art on Sony A7rII

The Sigma 105mm 1.4 DG HSM Art was one of Sigma’s last flagship lenses designed for DSLRs and one of the few that hasn’t seen a successor designed for mirrorless cameras yet. If you read my review, you know it is an impressive lens, but I still had some reservations calling it the “Bokeh Master”. Now I get the feeling someone at Sigma read my comment and decided to take it as a challenge by designing this Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art – the actual “Bokeh Master”. To me, this is one of Sigma’s masterpieces, so let’s have a closer look!  
Update 01/26: more samples added, AF section updated

Sample Images

sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Nikon Zf | Megadap ETZ21pro | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4
sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Nikon Zf | Megadap ETZ21pro | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4
sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Nikon Zf | Megadap ETZ21pro | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4
sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Nikon Zf | Megadap ETZ21pro | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4
sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Sony A7III | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4
sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Sony A7III | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4
sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Sony A7III | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4
sigma 135mm 1.4 art dg aizu bokeh master sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 zf a1 a1ii a9 a9ii l-mount
Sony A7III | Sigma 135mm 1.4 DG Art | f/1.4 | 4×5 pano | 53mm f/0.55 equivalent

Continue reading Review: Sigma 135mm 1.4 Art DG – The actual Bokeh Master

Review: Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 FE Evo

Introduction

viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE on Sony A7rII

The “Evo” series is a new lineup of Viltrox lenses positioned between the “Pro” and “Air” lineups. This series seems to combine the build quality and controls of the “Pro” lenses with a slightly slower maximum aperture like the “Air” lenses while maintaining very high image quality – similar to the Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar series or Sigma’s Contemporary primes. Let’s find out what the first entry of this series – the Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE – has in store for us.

Sample Images

viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0
viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0
viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0
viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0
viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0
viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0
viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0
viltrox 85mm 2.0 evo fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo FE | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 FE Evo

Review: Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 FE Pro

Introduction

viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE on Sony A7rII

Viltrox offers several different lens lineups: positioned at the top is the “LAB” series, slightly below that the “Pro” series. I already reviewed the Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 Pro FE – offering very good performance at an affordable pricepoint – and this time we will be having a look at the Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE. 

Sample Images

viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4
viltrox 50mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 FE Pro