Category Archives: Vintage

Quick Review: Jupiter-11 135mm 4.0

Introduction

jupiter 11 135mm 4.0 soviet bokeh portrait sony a7 review e-mount leica

The Jupiter-11 135mm 4.0 is another copy of a Zeiss lens, this time the Zeiss Sonnar 135mm 4.0. This one is really cheap, but is it also as good as the Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0? Let us find out!

Sample Images

jupiter 11 135mm 4.0 soviet bokeh portrait sony a7 review e-mount leica
Sony A7rII | Jupiter-11 135mm 4.0 | f/8.0
jupiter 11 135mm 4.0 soviet bokeh portrait sony a7 review e-mount leica
Sony A7rII | Jupiter-11 135mm 4.0 | f/5.6
jupiter 11 135mm 4.0 soviet bokeh portrait sony a7 review e-mount leica
Sony A7rII | Jupiter-11 135mm 4.0 | f/4.0

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Review: Canon FD 300mm 1:2.8 L

The Canon FD 2.8/300 L was one of the most highly regarded manual super tele lenses in the 80s. Today it can be had for much less money and in this review I evaluate how it performs today on a modern mirrorless camera.

Image Samples

You can find all images shown in this image in full resolution in my Canon FD 300mm f/2.8 L flickr album.

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Review: Zeiss Batis Distagon T* 25mm f2

Introduction

The Batis 25mm f2  was one of the original two Batis lenses Zeiss released; but it remains the only fixed 24mm class lens that is available in E mount. It’s not cheap, so how does it perform and is it worth the money? That’s what this review may help you decide.

Sample Images

Most of the images in this review can be seen in high resolution here

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Review: Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm f1.2

Introduction

A super fast fifty millimetre lens can be a lot of fun. But arguably it’s not the best all around type of lens to have; it’ll be bigger and heavier than a more modest speed fifty, and likely not as good stopped down. It’s more of an occasional use specialty lens. So it makes sense not to spend vast sums for a Leica Noctilux. No-one makes a modern f1.2; and if and when they do it will no doubt be extremely expensive and very big and heavy. That makes the better  legacy 50mm f1.2 lenses well worth investigating.

This review is of one of the better contenders: The OM Zuiko 50mm f1.2. It has a reputation for being usably sharp in the middle wide open, and sharpening up to decent overall performance stopped down. Does it live up to this reputation? Read on!

Sample Images

High resolution versions of the samples can be found at http://www.davidbraddonmitchell.com/Varia/Zuiko1250/

Specifications

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