Category Archives: Review

Review: Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM

Introduction

review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM on Leica M6

Some of you may not know that before producing FD mount lenses and SLR cameras Canon also manufactured rangefinder lenses and cameras, leading to a line-up of no less than 59 different LTM (Leica Thread Mount also known as M39) lenses between 1946 and 1964. These lenses are fully compatible to Leica M cameras and can be easily adapted to other modern mirrorless cameras as well, so today we will have a look at the Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM, the second fastest lens from this series released in 1956.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM | f/1.2
review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM | f/1.4
^review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM | f/2.0
review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM | f/1.2
review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM | f/1.2
review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.2 dream lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM | f/1.4

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Review: Samyang AF 18mm 2.8 FE – The affordable UWA lens

Introduction

18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh
Samyang FE 18mm 2.8 AF on Sony A7rII

A small, lightweight and very affordable 18mm lens can be an interesting option for many photographers. It can extend the viewing angle compared to a midrange zoom significantly and if you only rarely delve into ultra wideangle photography it can also be a great option, as you will have less money sitting idle in your lens cabinet. The Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF wants to be exactly this lens, but the question remains, how high a toll the small size took on its optical performance. Let’s find out about that in this review!

Sample Images

18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh
Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f/3.2
18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh
Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f/3.2
18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh
Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f/2.8
18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh
Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f/8.0
18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh
Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f/5.6

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Review: Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon

Introduction

zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma
Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon on Leica M10

The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon is the second widest lens of the ZM family and one of the few 18mm M-mount lenses. Is 18mm being an unpopular focal length among Leica users the reason this lens has already been discontinued or is it because of its optical qualities? Let’s find out in this review.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f/4.0
zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f/4.0
zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f/4.0
 
zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f/8.0
zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f/8.0

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Review: Voigtländer Ultron 28mm 2.0

Introduction

Sony A7s mit Voigtländer Ultron 28mm 2.0
Sony A7s with Voigtländer Ultron 28mm 2.0 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Voigtländer Ultron 28mm 2.0 is a small wide angle lens with Leica M mount. The lens is features a modern design and has been introduced around 2012, but has already been replaced in 2021 with an updated version reviewed here.
Last update: February 2023

Sample Images

venice night sunstar ultron 28mm 2.0 sony a7
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Ultron 2.0/28 | f/11 | full resolution
sunset sunrise sun sunstar ultron 28mm 2.0 contra light
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Ultron 2.0/28 | f/11
abstract black and white b/w stairs ultron 28mm 2.0
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Ultron 2.0/28 | f/4.0 | full resolution

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Review: Zeiss ZM 35mm 1.4 T* Distagon

Introduction

zeiss distagon 35mm 1.5 zm t* adapter leica m a7rII a7r a7s a7 sony review
Sony A7rII with Voigtlander VM-E close focus adapter and Zeiss ZM 35mm 1.4 T* Distagon

The Zeiss ZM 35mm 1.4 T* Distagon has often been referred to as being one of the best 35mm lenses available, combining high sharpness as well as microcontrast and smooth bokeh in a small yet very pricey package. But is this still the case in 2023?
Update March 2023: general update

Sample Images

sunstar sun sunburst blendenstern diaphragm stroke 10 7 8 14 18
Sony A7rII | Zeiss ZM 35mm 1.4 Distagon | f/11 | higher resolution
zeiss distagon 35mm 1.5 zm t* adapter leica m a7rII a7r a7s a7 sony review
Sony A7s | Zeiss ZM 35mm 1.4 T* Distagon | f/1.4 | full resolution
zeiss distagon 35mm 1.5 zm t* adapter leica m a7rII a7r a7s a7 sony review
Sony A7rII | Zeiss ZM 35mm 1.4 T* Distagon | f/1.4 | full resolution

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