Category Archives: Uncategorized

phillipreeve.net now on Discord

A few days ago I asked you what you think would be a good platform to get announcements about new posts any maybe also start discussions or simply chatting.

Discord was mentioned quite often in your comments. I did some research – as I didn’t know much about it – and it does indeed offer some features I was looking for. I also like that it is you who decides what you want to see and not some algorithm. So I set up a phillipreeve.net Discord server where already some of you joined.

Continue reading phillipreeve.net now on Discord

Review: TTArtisan 11mm 2.8 Fisheye

Introduction

ttartisan 7artisans fish eye fisheye ultra wide angle fischauge diagonal diagonally sharpness mirrorless spiegellos
TTArtisan 11mm 2.8 Fisheye on Sony A7rII

Fisheye lenses are not exactly hugely popular and the fact that we haven’t seen a fullframe fisheye lens designed for mirrorless yet – in more than 60 years of the Leica-M system we haven’t seen a single one – only supports this. So maybe this 11mm 2.8 from TTArtisan is a welcome surprise, being the first of its kind? Let us find out in this review!
February 2023: Alternatives section updated

Sample Images

ttartisan 7artisans fish eye fisheye ultra wide angle fischauge diagonal diagonally sharpness mirrorless spiegellos
Sony A7rII | TTArtisan 11mm 2.8 fisheye | f/8.0
ttartisan 7artisans fish eye fisheye ultra wide angle fischauge diagonal diagonally sharpness mirrorless spiegellos
Sony A7rII | TTArtisan 11mm 2.8 fisheye | f/8.0
ttartisan 7artisans fish eye fisheye ultra wide angle fischauge diagonal diagonally sharpness mirrorless spiegellos
Sony A7rII | TTArtisan 11mm 2.8 fisheye | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: TTArtisan 11mm 2.8 Fisheye

Laowa FFii 90mm F2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2x: getting close!

A couple of years ago, with samples taken on the last major overseas trip I took before Covid closed the world for quite a while, I reviewed the Laowa 100mm macro. I concluded it was good and sharp, a little challenged for flare at longer distances, but absolutely superb in the macro range. Eventually – in fact very recently, a couple of years after that review – I purchased my own copy. I was doing a lot of macro and at actual macro distances that lens is in most ways better than all the pricier lenses I’ve tried (though perhaps not as an all purpose short tele with macro).

Of course, inevitably, after I paid my money, Laowa announced a new lens –  a 90mm, built specifically for mirrorless, and a lot more compact, with otherwise similar specs.

Did I blow it? Should I get rid of my recently acquired 100 and get the new 90? Read on and see.

Samples

 

 

 

Continue reading Laowa FFii 90mm F2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2x: getting close!

A beginners guide to landscape astro photography

Introduction

Landscape astro photography or milky way photography is getting more and more popular nowadays. In my opinion a good milky way picture is about more than the stars alone, a good foreground is what makes your picture stand out. Landscape astro photography has been one of my favorite subjects for several years now, so in this article I will share my experiences for those that are just starting out.

Sony gm 24mm f/1.4
Sony a7RIII | Sony GM 1.4/24 | f/2.0

Continue reading A beginners guide to landscape astro photography