Category Archives: Review

Review: Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM

August 2, 2023 Martin 9 Comments

Introduction

Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM, a full frame lens with image stabilization, was released in 2011 and is a little bit old by now but is still in production and can be bought brand new and it has a good reputation. Worth to note that Nikon’s equivalent for F-mount (Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 105/2.8G) is five years older than this Sigma. Being macro lenses, they can give you good magnification (1:1 in this case) and at the same time they can also be used as portrait lenses. But of course, they also are good for compressed landscape images and candid photography. Because of its age it can be bought relatively cheap used, which makes it good value for money, if it appears to be good of course. Let’s see how good it is.
The sample images are taken with Nikon Z6 (FF, 24Mp) and Nikon D7200 (APS-C, 24Mp).

Sample Images

Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG Macro HSM review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 — Nikon Z6 | Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG Macro HSM | f/8

Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 — Nikon Z6 | Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG OS Macro HSM | f/4

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lenses, Review, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox 75mm 1.2 AF E Pro APS-C

July 31, 2023 BastianK 27 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 75mm 1.2 af e aps-c e-mount review sony a6700 a6600 a6500 a6000 fuji sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma ca loca aberrations — Viltrox 75mm 1.2 AF E on Sony A7rII

If you are a regular reader you know I only rarely review APS-C lenses – I only use fullframe cameras and therefore have no personal use for APS-C lenses – but Viltrox played it smart by just sending this 75mm 1.2 AF to me without asking first. I guess they were hoping a fullframe equivalent of 113mm f/1.8 coupled with the raving reviews from the Fuji-X users would be enough to convince me to have a closer look at this lens. As you are reading this now, it seems their plan came together.
Update: lens is available to order from the manufacturer’s shop (use the code PRnet for 8% discount) | ebay.com (affiliate links) now

Sample Images

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lenses, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S

July 20, 2023 Martin 26 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9

The Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S is the only Nikon 24mm with Z mount. 24mm on a full frame camera is quite wide at the verge of ultra wide angle, which can create dramatic images but at the same time it is not so wide that it makes composing images difficult. It is great for landscape photography, but due to its f/1.8 wide aperture it can also be easily used indoors or in other low light situations. It is a relatively expensive lens for being a 24mm f/1.8, but if this lens’s qualities show to be excellent then it can be considered as a reasonable price. Bear in mind that as Nikon’s only available Z mount 24mm prime it should appeal to all users, including the professionals and if its qualities are satisfactory for professional users then it is a relatively cheap lens. So, let’s see how it performs!

Sample Images

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii — Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/8

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

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 — Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/4

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Brightin Star, Funleader, Leica M, lenses, Review

Review: Funleader x Brightin Star 28mm 2.8 XSlim Pro-M

July 16, 2023 BastianK 14 Comments

Introduction

brightin star 28mm 2.8 xlim pro-m review contrast sharpness compact thin leica m10 m11 m10r 42mp 61mp — Funleader x Brightin Star 28mm 2.8 XSlim ProM on Leica M10

You probably know by now I have a soft spot for the tiny MS-Optics lenses, but there are two major issues with them: they are expensive and the manufacturing quality sometimes leaves something to be desired.
I was always wondering: what if some other company with better manufacturing capabilities would design lenses just as compact? I even pitched the idea to several manufacturers: without success.
But now Funleader and Brightin Star teamed up to do exactly that with this 28mm 2.8 XSlim Pro-M. It looks just like an MS-Optics lens and I have been very curious about it since I first heard of it.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 Ai-S

July 13, 2023 Martin 47 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii

The NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 was the lens that almost all the pro photographers had on their cameras most of the time during the 60s, 70s and 80s and most young and aspiring photographers dreamed of having on their cameras. From an era when Nikon was the undisputed number one 35mm camera/lens system among professional photographers worldwide. The NIKKOR lenses had a reputation for being tough with outstanding quality, both optically and mechanically. This lens was, because of its popularity, in production long after the advent of the autofocus and even digital cameras and was sold new alongside AF and digital lenses until mid 2005. Let’s see how it fares today!