Category Archives: Vintage

Review, Vintage, Zeiss

Review: Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5

16 Comments

Introduction

The Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f/3.5 is a vintage lens, originally designed in 1929. Renowned for its simple yet ingenious design and impressive sharpness, it’s also celebrated for its remarkably light weight.  Historically, 135mm has been the classic focal length for portrait photography, and the most popular telephoto focal length for most photographers. Therefore almost all of the lens manufacturers had at least 2 of them, a f/2.8 and a f/3.5, many offered other speeds in between or even faster than 2.8. The Sonnar design, with its compact size, made it a popular choice for photographers on the move. While Carl Zeiss produced numerous Sonnar 135mm lenses, other manufacturers have also developed their own Sonnar-inspired lenses incorporating modern technology. Despite its historical significance, I found the Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f/3.5 price  more reasonable than other coveted vintage lenses, prompting me to purchase one for testing. (I bought mine for €10 but prices normally start from €20)

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images Nikon Z6 and Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5
Nikon Zf | Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 | f/3.5

Continue reading Review: Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 →

Nikon Z, Review, Vintage

REVIEW: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 V – Soap Bubble Bokeh Treasure or Garbage?

11 Comments

IntroductionMeyer-Optik Görlitz trioplan 50mm f/2.9 on a Nikon Z

The Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 is a legendary vintage lens from the 1930s, known for creating dreamy background blur with soap bubble bokeh. I’ve been very curious about this lens and now I have one to test and share my experience with you.

This MOG Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 is a lens with a, once upon a time, much-used formula, the Cooke triplet. It consists of two biconvex lenses on the outer edges and a biconcave lens in the middle.

This seemingly simple design offers some surprising characteristics that have attracted both manufacturers and photographers for decades. Let’s delve deeper and explore what makes this lens so special!

I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images with full-frame Nikon Zf and APS-C Nikon Zfc)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z fc | Meyer-Optik Görlitz trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9
Nikon Z fc | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 | f/2.9

Continue reading REVIEW: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 V – Soap Bubble Bokeh Treasure or Garbage? →

Nikon, Nikon, Review, Vintage

Review: Nikon 105mm 2.0 AF DC-Nikkor

16 Comments

Introduction

nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Nikon AF 105mm 2.0 D DC via adapter on Sony A7rII

At the beginning of the 1990s Nikon released two special portrait lenses featuring a “Defocus Control” mechanism, which allows you to make the bokeh smoother or harsher. This Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC is the shorter of the two DC lenses and In this review I will tell you how it works and if it is actually useful.

Sample Images

nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Monster LA-FE2 | Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC | f/2.0
nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC | f/2.0 | R2
nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Monster LA-FE2 | Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC | f/2.0
nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC | f/2.0 | R2
nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC | f/2.0 | R2
nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC | f/5.6
nikon af af-d 105mm 2.0 defocus control dc ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance
Sony A7III | Nikon AF-D 105mm 2.0 DC | f/2.0 | R2

Continue reading Review: Nikon 105mm 2.0 AF DC-Nikkor →

Nikon, Nikon, Review, Vintage

Review: Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai – The first of its Kind

27 Comments

Introduction

nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED on Sony A7rII

The Nikon Nikkor 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai from 1977 is not only one of Nikon’s most famous lenses, it is also one of the few super fast tele lenses in the ~200mm range I did not yet get my hands on. I have been watching the eBay auctions for this lens for years and at the end of 2023 I managed to find one in mint condition at a price I could afford. So finally, here we are, to have a closer look at the first of its kind.

Sample Images

nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon 200mm 2.0 | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon 200mm 2.0 | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0
nikon 200mm 2.0 ai ai-s if ed f/2.0 super tele fast 1977 sport reportage press review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED | f/2.0 | pano from 4 shots | 130mm f/1.3 equivalent

Continue reading Review: Nikon 200mm 2.0 IF-ED Ai – The first of its Kind →

Leica M, Review, Vintage, Zeiss

Review: Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon

10 Comments

Introduction

zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon on Leica M6

The Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon is the widest of the three “Classic” designs in Zeiss’ ZM line up. It has long been discontinued and it wasn’t in production for a long time, so it is a bit rare and rather expensive on the used market. I always wondered how it would compare to the similarly compact yet newer Voigtländer VM 21mm 3.5 Color-Skopar and now we will finally find out.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon | f/11
zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon | f/11
zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon | f/4.5
zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon | f/11
zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon | f/8.0
zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon | f/11
zeiss zm 21mm 4.5 c-biogon classic wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting
Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon | f/4.5

Continue reading Review: Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon →