Review: Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF

Introduction

laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF on Sony A7rII

In 2024 Laowa released their first AF lens, the Laowa 10mm 2.8 AF. Now 10mm is extremely wide, maybe too wide for some, so in mid 2025 they added a 12mm lens with AF to the lineup. Let’s have a look together at this Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF.

Sample Images

laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f/8.0
laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f/8.0
laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f/5.6
laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f/2.8
laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f/8.0
laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f/2.8
laowa 12mm 2.8 II fe C&D dreamer zero-D autofocus auto focus AF venus optics review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting flare
Nikon Zf | Laowa 12mm 2.8 | f/5.6

Continue reading Review: Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF

Review: Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G

Introduction

nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G via FTZ II on Nikon Z6

The Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G had been released in 2014 as cheaper alternative to the more expensive and heavier Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.4G from 2010. The 35mm 1.4G was a rather weak entry in Nikon’s AF-S prime lineup. Is this 35mm 1.8G actually the better lens? Let’s try to find out in this review.

Sample Images

nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Monster LA-FE1 | Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G | f/1.8
nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Monster LA-FE1 | Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G | f/1.8
nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G | f/1.8
nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G | f/5.6
nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G | f/2.0
nikon af-s 35mm 1.8 g 1.8g ed fx sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9
Nikon Z6 | FTZ II | Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G | f/2.0

Continue reading Review: Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8G

Analogue Photography – Part 1: A Personal Journey into Film Photography 1/2

Canon A1 | Black & White Negative film | Agfapan 400

With the growing interest in analogue photography, as Bastian so inspiringly explores in his Analogue Adventures, I too have decided to create a series of film-related articles. I’ve chosen not to use the same title, as my own relationship with film photography goes back to a time when it was simply photography to me. While Film Photography would feel like the most natural title, I’ve decided to go with Analogue Photography instead, to keep a sense of continuity with Bastian’s series.

Canon A1 | Black & White Negative film | Agfa Isopan
Canon A1 | Colour negative film | Fujicolor
Canon A1 | Black and White Negative film | Agfapan 400
Canon A1 | Black & White Negative film | Kodak Tri-X 400

Continue reading Analogue Photography – Part 1: A Personal Journey into Film Photography 1/2

Review: Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro

Introduction

viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro on Sony A7rII

Released in 2019, the Viltrox 85mm 1.8 AF was one of Viltrox’ first fullframe lenses and has been an easy recommendation to anyone looking for an affordable 85mm 1.8 AF lens with great bokeh since. Six years later, in 2025, Viltrox released this Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro aimed at the higher end market. Will it also be an easy recommendation like the f/1.8 version? Let’s find out in this review!
Update June 17th, 2025: Bokeh comparison to Sirui 85mm 1.4 Aurora and Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM added

Sample Images

viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4
viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4
viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4
viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4
viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4
viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4
viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4
viltrox 85mm 1.4 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro | f/1.4

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 FE Pro

REVIEW: Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye

LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom on Nikon Z7ii

Introduction

The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye is a full-frame lens that combines the characteristics of two distinct fisheye types in one: circular and rectangular. Fisheye lenses are already uncommon in the mirrorless world, and fisheye zooms are even rarer—this is, in fact, the only fisheye zoom ever made for any mirrorless system, and the fastest fisheye zoom ever made. Let’s see how it performs!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf )
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm f/8
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @13mm f/8
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @mm f/5.5
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm
Nikon Zf | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm f/5.6
Nikon Z7ii | LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom | @15mm f/2.8

Continue reading REVIEW: Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye

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