Category Archives: Review

Review: TTArtisan 50mm 2.0 – Return of the Nifty Fifty

July 14, 2022 BastianK 49 Comments

Introduction

TTartisan 50mm 2.0 e-mount fe sony a7rii a7riv review comparison contrast sharpness vignetting pancake small — TTArtisan 50mm 2.0 on Sony A7rII

In the SLR era the “Nifty Fifty” was the lens of choice for many: a compact, fast and at the same time affordable 50mm lens. For the Sony FE system the next best thing we got so far is the Sony FE 50mm 2.5 G, but it isn’t as fast and also not that affordable.
To my surprise TTArtisan is now the one trying to revive the Nifty Fifty and despite being a mirrorless design it is as small as the smallest SLR 50s. But did they succeed? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

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Laowa, lenses, Review, Sony E-mount

Review: Laowa 12-24mm 5.6

July 7, 2022 BastianK 41 Comments

Introduction

laowa 12-24mm 5.6 zoom uwa ultra wide 42mp 61mp 24mp sony a7rIv a7riii a7rii a7iii a7iv a74 review sharpness contrast distortion venus optics sunstar sunstars — Laowa 12-24mm 5.6 on Sony A7rII

The Laowa 12-24mm 5.6 is Laowa’s second ultra wide angle zoom, the first being the Laowa 10-18mm 4.5-5.6. The 10-18mm offers a very appealing focal length range in a compact package, but there were some optical compromises hard to overlook. This 12-24mm lens is supposed to yield better optical performance at the cost of a less extreme angle of view at the wide end. Is it the better lens at the end of the day? Let us find out in this review.

Sample Images

laowa 12-24mm 5.6 zoom uwa ultra wide 42mp 61mp 24mp sony a7rIv a7riii a7rii a7iii a7iv a74 review sharpness contrast distortion venus optics — Sony A7rII | Laowa 12-24mm 5.6 | 12mm f/8.0

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7Artisans, Leica M, Review

Review: 7Artisans 28mm 5.6 M

May 15, 2022 BastianK 13 Comments

Introduction

7artisans ttartisan 28mm 5.6 m wen review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast resolution flare resistance compact — 7Artisans 28mm 5.6 Wen on Leica M10

Some lenses really come as a surprise and this 7Artisans 28mm 5.6 is definitely one of those. Not that long after the TTArtisan 28mm 5.6 hit the market we see another lens with the same specs – but a completely different optical and mechanical design. I don’t know about you, but I did not see this coming.
So let’s find out in this review who offers the better 28mm 5.6 lens.
The lens is being tested on 24mp Leica M10 and 42mp Sony A7rII.

Sample Images

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Leica M, lenses, MS-Optics, Review

Review: MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM

April 30, 2022 BastianK 36 Comments

Introduction

ms-optics ms-optical ism sonnetar f/1.0 f/0.95 fast noctilux angenieux leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting — MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM on Leica M10

Miyazaki Sadayasu is known for making small and fast 50mm lenses. He started with a 50mm 1.3, followed by the famous 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar, the 50mm 1.5 Prasma and his latest (and fastest) creation is this MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM reviewed here.
Despite the staggering maximum aperture it is smaller and lighter than most of the other 50mm lenses, regardless of speed. But did Miyazaki go too far this time? Let’s have a closer look…
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10
Last update: June 2022

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

Sample Images

ms-optics ms-optical ism sonnetar f/1.0 f/0.95 fast noctilux angenieux leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting silbersalz35 silbersalz kodak cine vision3 santorini greece — Leica M6 | 200T | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.4

Leica M10 | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.4

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Leica M, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander VM 28mm 2.0 Ultron Type I

April 23, 2022 BastianK 45 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer vm ultron 28mm 2.0 type i ii leica m 24mp 42mp review resolution contrast bokeh vignetting coma sony a7rii a7riii a7riv — Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.0 Ultron Type I on Leica M6

Even though most smartphone’s main camera features a 28mm equivalent lens, when it comes to fullframe lenses this focal length has been a bit neglected lately.
One of the few recent additions to the 28mm line up has been the updated Voigtländer VM 28mm 2.0 Ultron. The predecessor was the first lens I reviewed on this blog, so I am very curious about this updated version 6 years later.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.
Update June 2023: Alternatives section updated