Category Archives: Review

Review: Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 Distagon

Introduction

zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 via Sigma MC-11 on Sony A7rII

About a year after the release of the Zeiss Otus 28mm 1.4 Distagon – to the surprise of many – Zeiss released this Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 Distagon. Almost as complex optical design, almost as big, almost as heavy, but “only” half the price – making it the most expensive lens of the Milvus lineup. What are you giving up in terms of performance compared to the 28mm Otus? Let’s try to find out in this review.

Sample Images

zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/1.4
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/2.8
zeiss 25mm 1.4 milvus otus t* germany german high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp zf.2 ze
Sony A7III | Sigma MC-11 | Zeiss 25mm 1.4 Milvus | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Zeiss Milvus 25mm 1.4 Distagon

Vivo X200 Ultra – The Death of the compact Camera

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
Update 01/26: Extender sections additional information 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 review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 14mm f/6.9 equiv | Ai Denoise
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 35mm f/5.9 equiv
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 85mm f/8.5 equiv
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 14mm f/6.9 equiv | Ai Denoise
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 85mm f/8.5 equiv
vivo x200 ultra review bokeh sharpness contrast vignetting comparison 50mp 200mp
Vivo X200 Ultra | 35mm f/5.9 equiv | Landscape & Night Mode | no tripod
Vivo X200 Ultra | 35mm f/5.9 equiv | Landscape & Night mode | from airplane window

Continue reading Vivo X200 Ultra – The Death of the compact Camera

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

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-icon2I 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/11
Nikon Zfc | 7Artisans AF 10mm F/2.8 | f/8

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

Review: Irix 45mm 1.4 Dragonfly

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

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
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Irix 45mm 1.4 | f/1.4
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
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Irix 45mm 1.4 | f/1.4
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
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Irix 45mm 1.4 | f/1.4
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
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Irix 45mm 1.4 | f/2.0
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
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Irix 45mm 1.4 | f/1.4
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
Nikon Zf | Fringer EF NZ II | Irix 45mm 1.4 | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Irix 45mm 1.4 Dragonfly

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