Category Archives: Review

Leica, Leica M, Review

Review: Leica 50mm 0.95 Noctilux-M Asph

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Introduction

leica 50mm 0.95 f/0.95 m 24mp m11 m10 m10r sharpness contrat resolution bokeh vignetting review
Leica 50mm 0.95 Noctilux-M Asph on Leica M10

For one decade (2008-2018) the Leica 50mm 0.95 Noctilux-M Asph was Leica’s most expensive M-mount lens and it is still the fastest lens in their line up to this day.
Now in 2023 there are many f/0.95 lenses from China available for your mirrorless camera of choice, but in 2008 – when most people were using (D)SLRs – this was a unique offering and something you could only find in the M-system.
But is this lens (still) worth the asking price? Let’s try to find out.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

This lens is also part of my Comparison of 6 Super Fast 50mm M-mount Lenses together with the Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M, the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.0 Nokton, MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM, Mr. Ding 50mm 1.1 and Voigtänder VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton.

Sample Images

leica 50mm 0.95 f/0.95 m 24mp m11 m10 m10r sharpness contrat resolution bokeh vignetting review
Leica M10 | Leica 50mm 0.95 | f/0.95
leica 50mm 0.95 f/0.95 m 24mp m11 m10 m10r sharpness contrat resolution bokeh vignetting review
Leica M10 | Leica 50mm 0.95 | f/0.95
leica 50mm 0.95 f/0.95 m 24mp m11 m10 m10r sharpness contrat resolution bokeh vignetting review
Leica M10 | Leica 50mm 0.95 | f/0.95
leica 50mm 0.95 f/0.95 m 24mp m11 m10 m10r sharpness contrat resolution bokeh vignetting review
Leica M10 | Leica 50mm 0.95 | f/0.95
leica 50mm 0.95 f/0.95 m 24mp m11 m10 m10r sharpness contrat resolution bokeh vignetting review
Leica M10 | Leica 50mm 0.95 | f/0.95
leica 50mm 0.95 f/0.95 m 24mp m11 m10 m10r sharpness contrat resolution bokeh vignetting review
Leica M10 | Leica 50mm 0.95 | f/2.0

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7Artisans, Review, Sony E-mount

Review: 7Artisans 9mm 5.6

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Introduction

7artisans 9mm 5.6 fullframe widest lens rectilinear contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9
7Artisans 9mm 5.6 on Sony A7rII

While the Laowa 9mm 5.6 FF-RL is one of my favorite lenses, I am very well aware that a 9mm fullframe lens is not for everyone and most certainly a niché lens, which is why I was very much surprised to see 7Artisans offering their own 9mm 5.6 lens. Who makes the better 9mm 5.6? Let us try to find out in this review!

The optical and most of the mechanical construction of this 7Artisans 9mm 5.6 lens is identical to the Brightin Star 9mm 5.6, which features an additional rear filter thread, so be sure to check out its review as well.

Sample Images

7artisans 9mm 5.6 fullframe widest lens rectilinear contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 9mm 5.6 | f/8.0
7artisans 9mm 5.6 fullframe widest lens rectilinear contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 9mm 5.6 | f/11
7artisans 9mm 5.6 fullframe widest lens rectilinear contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 9mm 5.6 | f/8.0
7artisans 9mm 5.6 fullframe widest lens rectilinear contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 9mm 5.6 | f/8.0
7artisans 9mm 5.6 fullframe widest lens rectilinear contrast resolution 33mp 42mp 61mp sharpness vignetting a7riv a7rv a9
Sony A7III | 7Artisans 9mm 5.6 | f/8.0

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Leica M, Minolta, MS-Optics, Review

Review: Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 Rokkor-QF

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Introduction

review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 Rokkor-QF on Leica M10

In 1971 – two years before the Leitz/Minolta CL with its 40mm 2.0 lens – Minolta released the Hi-Matic E, a compact fixed lens 35mm rangefinder camera with a 40mm 1.7 Rokkor-QF lens.
While this lens is manual focus its aperture is being controlled electronically, which is why it is very difficult to turn it into an interchangeable lens that can be used on other cameras.
There might be only one person crazy enough to salvage the lens elements from such a Hi-Matic E camera, design a new housing for them and adding a manually controlled aperture diaphragm and that is Miyazaki Sadayasu from MS-Optics.
I came across one of these rare lenses in a small camera shop in Hong Kong and as this was a bit of a “once in a lifetime opportunity” I bought it without really knowing what I am getting myself into, so here we are.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/1.7
review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/1.7
Leica M10 | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/5.6
review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/1.7
review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/1.7
review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Minolta CLE | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/1.7 | 500T
review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/1.7

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Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S

23 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S is the first ever prime lens that Nikon released for the Z-mount. Being a 35mm, it is the port to the wide-angle world and a popular focal length for street and general-purpose photography. It is one of Nikon’s high-end “S” series lenses and is supposed to have superior qualities that should satisfy even professional photographers. It should, as it is the only 35mm lens in Z mount from Nikon and has a price tag of €800. Let’s see if it does so!

Sample Images

Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S | f/13
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S | f/1.8
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9
Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S | f/1.8

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Leica M, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron

7 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer 75mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron on Leica M10

The Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.5 Nokton was and still is one of the most compelling M-mount portrait lenses for me and an epitome of what Cosina is capable of when it comes to creating very fast yet lightweight lens constructions.
Therefore it was a great surprise for me when only 4 years later Cosina released this slightly slower and only slightly lighter Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron. Which one is the better lens for you? Let’s find out in this review!
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.
Update: because of a bug it was not possible to post comments for this post, this has been fixed.

Sample Images

voigtländer 75mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Sony A7III | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron | LM-EA9 | f/1.9
voigtländer 75mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Sony A7III | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron | LM-EA9 | f/1.9
voigtländer 75mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Sony A7III | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron | LM-EA9 | f/1.9
voigtländer 75mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron | f/1.9
voigtländer 75mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Sony A7rII UT | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron | f/1.9
voigtländer 75mm 1.9 ultron leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution 0.5 m portrait bokeh
Sony A7III | Voigtländer VM 75mm 1.9 Ultron | LM-EA9 | f/2.8

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