Category Archives: Review

Vivo X200 Ultra – The Death of the compact Camera

December 9, 2025 BastianK 69 Comments

Introduction

vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp — Vivo X200 Ultra with Photography Kit Case

I am not someone who buys a new smartphone every year – quite the opposite actually – but when I need a new one I always look for the one with the most capable cameras. I did that in 2019 and ended up with the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and when I needed a new phone in 2025, after a lot of research, I decided to go with the Vivo X200 Ultra. On paper this looks like the death of the 1″ sensor compact camera segment, so let’s have a closer look at this intriguing device.
Update 12/25: Extender lens sections added

Sample Images

vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp EXTENDER zeiss 2.35x 2,35 200mm — Vivo X200 Ultra | 2.35x Extender Lens | 200mm f/8.5 equiv

Vivo X200 Ultra | 35mm f/5.9 equiv | Landscape & Night mode | from airplane window

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7Artisans, lenses, Review

REVIEW: 7Artisans AF 10mm f/2.8 (APS-C)

November 30, 2025 Martin 2 Comments

Introduction

Just two years ago, finding a true ultra wide-angle prime for APS-C cameras felt like chasing a unicorn. But that’s changed fast. A wave of new releases—many from Chinese lens makers—has opened up a lot of new options for APS-C shooters. Now, 7Artisans joins the mix with its 10mm f/2.8, a lens that promises a lot for its price. Can it really stand out in this crowded new field? Let’s find out.

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a Nikon Zfc.
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/5

Nikon Zf | 7Artisans AF 24mm F/1.8 | f/4Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/13

Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/5

Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/11

Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/8

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Canon EF-Mount, Irix, Review

Review: Irix 45mm 1.4 Dragonfly

November 15, 2025 BastianK 12 Comments

Introduction

irix 45mm 1.4 dragonfly firefly blackstone south korea 42mp 61mp 24mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7iv a7v a7riv a7riii a7r2 a7 a9 a1 review contrast resolution bokeh vignetting coma ca loca sunstars distortion — Irix 45mm 1.4 Dragonfly via metabones adapter on Sony A7rII

At the end of the DSLR era, Irix set out to compete with Samyang (with their XP series) and Zeiss (with their Otus and Milvus series) in the segment of higher end manual focus lenses. Somehow I didn’t come across reviewing any of those Irix lenses yet, but that is about to change now. Will this Irix 45mm 1.4 Dragonfly be a pleasant surprise? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review, Vintage

Review: Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E

November 12, 2025 BastianK 6 Comments

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

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.4 E

November 5, 2025 BastianK 3 Comments

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.