Category Archives: Vintage

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

July 21, 2024 BastianK 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

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Leica M, Review, Vintage, Zeiss

Review: Zeiss ZM 21mm 4.5 C-Biogon

June 30, 2024 BastianK 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

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Nikon, Nikon, Review, Vintage

Review: Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton (Nikon F)

June 23, 2024 BastianK 23 Comments

Introduction

voigtländer sl iis nokton nikon f 58mm 1.4 ai-s fast review 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait — Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton on Nikon FM2n

The Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 SL IIs Nokton has been in production since 2007 and gathered many fans over the years. This is probably the reason Cosina updated its casing design several times throughout the years while keeping the optics the same. Let’s see if we can find out what people like about it in this review.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review, Vintage

Review: Nikon AF 180mm 2.8D IF-ED

June 9, 2024 BastianK 12 Comments

Introduction

nikon af af-d 180mm 2.8 ed if sharpness review contrast resolution 42mp 61mp 24mp vignetting coma bokeh build quality flare resistance — Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 via adapter on Sony A7rII

With the rise of the 80-200mm f/2.8 zooms it seems the 180-200mm f/2.8 primes fell out of fashion, as for more than 20 years no manufacturer bothered to design a new lens like this (not counting a few third party macro options). While Canon last updated their 200mm 2.8 in 1996, Nikon never updated the optical design of their Nikon AF 180mm 2.8 since 1986. Is this still a worthwhile lens today? Let’s find out in this review.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review, Vintage

Review: Nikon AF 85mm 1.4 D – The ideal Portrait Lens?

May 18, 2024 BastianK 12 Comments

Introduction

nikon nikkor af-d 85mm 1.4 portrait historical review contrast resolution famous 42mp 61mp bokeh vignetting coma aspherical sony a7rII z7 z8 z9 z6 zf — Nikon AF-D 85mm 1.4 on Sony A7rII

For one and a half decades – from 1995 to 2010 – the Nikon AF-D 85mm 1.4 had been Nikon’s top of the line fullframe portrait tele lens. It saw the peak of analogue photography as well as the peak of the digital SLR. When it had been released this was an expensive premium lens aimed at professionals, but in 2024 it has become much more affordable. Reason enough to have a closer look at it and see if this is a lens still worth considering today.