Category Archives: Review

Review: Zeiss Planar 2/45 T*

Car Zeiss Planar 2/45The Zeiss Planar was one of the sharpest normal lenses back in the film days. In this review I check how well it performs on the 24MP Sony a7.

Thanks to Uwe for loaning me the lens and Techart adapter for this review!

Sample Images

Zeiss Planar 2/45 Sample Image
Sony a7 | Zeiss Planar 2/45 | f/2 | full resolution
Zeiss Planar 2/45 Sony a7 Sample Image
Sony a7 | Zeiss Planar 2/45 | f/2 | full resolution

Zeiss_Planar_45mm_f2-28

Sony a7 | Zeiss Planar 2/45 | f/8 | full resolution

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Review: Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8

Introduction

Sony A7s with Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)
Sony A7s with Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 is a copy of the Zeiss Biogon 35mm 2.8 and was produced in the UDSSR after WWII. The Jupiter lenses belong to the very few “lowcost” rangefinder lenses, but what do they have in store in terms of optical quality? Read on to find out.

Sample Images

jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 sony a7s sony-e mount stuttgart blue hour opera oper
Sony A7s | Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 | f/11 | full resolution
jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 sony a7s sony-e mount schwarzwald black forest long exposure nd filter
Sony A7s | Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 | f/11 | full resolution
jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 sony a7s sony-e mount stuttgart
Sony A7s | Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 | f/2.8 | full resolution

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Review: Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8

Introduction

Sony A7s with Zeiss 18mm 2.8 E Batis
Sony A7s with Zeiss 18mm 2.8 E Batis

The Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8 is the latest addition to Zeiss’ line up of modern autofocus lenses and also the widest AF prime lens to date for Sony E-Mount. As many people (include me here) are now engaged in landscape astrophotography I am especially interested how the new Batis fares in this regard.
Last Update: Review finised, conclusion added, sample images added  (05/30/16)

Sample Images

carl zeiss batis 18mm 2.8 sony a7s astro astrophotography astroscape coma milkyway milky way star stars
Sony A7s | Batis 18mm 2.8 | f/2.8 | ISO6400 | 20s | panorama from 4 shots | higher resolution
santa cruz tenerife canary island zeiss batis 18mm 2.8 e mount sony a7s panorama blue hour sunstars reflection
Sony A7s | Batis 18mm 2.8 | f/8.0 | panorama from 4 shots
batis 18mm 2.8 sony e zeiss a7 distortion stuttgart ludwigsburg castle monrepos favorite barock
Sony A7s | Batis 18mm 2.8 | f/11 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8

Review: Sony FE 1.8/50 (SEL50F18F)

Sony_FE_50mmf1p8-6

The new Sony FE 1.8/50 is the second more affordable lens after the FE 2/28 which I liked a lot. Has Sony created another winner?

Sample Images

Sony FE 1.8/50 | f/11 | Sony a7 | full resolution
Sony FE 1.8/50 | f/11 | Sony a7 | full resolution
Sony FE 1.8/50 | f/1.8 | Sony a7 | full resolution
Sony FE 1.8/50 | f/1.8 | Sony a7 | full resolution
Sony FE 1.8/50
Sony FE 1.8/50 | f/1.8 | Sony a7 | full resolution
Sony_FE_50mmf1.8-17
Sony FE 1.8/50 | f/1.8 | Sony a7 | full resolution

Continue reading Review: Sony FE 1.8/50 (SEL50F18F)

Review: Voigtlander 15mm 4.5 E Super Wide Heliar

Introduction

Sony A7s with Voigtländer 15mm 4.5 Super Wide Heliar E Aspherical
Sony A7s with Voigtländer 15mm 4.5 Super Wide Heliar E Aspherical

The Voigtländer 15mm 4.5 Super Wide Heliar E aspherical III is the first native E-Mount lens by Voigtlander. As there are three adapted Voigtlander lenses in my basic A7s-kit  – see my reviews – I simply had to try this one out!
Last Update:
Review finised (new Sample images, Use for astrophotography and Conclusion added)  (05/10/16)

Sample Images

schloss solitude stuttgart castle chateau mercedes voigtlander 15mm 4.5 sony e mount super wide heliar
Sony A7s | Voigtländer 15mm 4.5 SWH E | f/11 | full resolution
voigtlander 15mm 4.5 super wide heliar voigtländer sony a7s astro astrophotography astroscape coma milkyway milky way star stars
Sony A7s | Voigtländer 15mm 4.5 SWH E | f/4.5 | ISO6400 | 30s | higher resolution

Continue reading Review: Voigtlander 15mm 4.5 E Super Wide Heliar