camera, lenses, Manufacturers, Nikon Z, Review, TTArtisan

1.5?

September 27, 2024 Martin 36 Comments

Introduction

TTArtisan has done it again. After previously remaking the legendary Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8—renowned for its distinctive soap bubble bokeh—they’ve now turned their attention to another iconic lens: the Big B, or more precisely, the Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5. This legendary lens, famous for its swirly bokeh, sharp centre, and 3D pop, has become something of a myth over time.

While TTArtisan has never claimed to have replicated the Biotar, the lens’s shape, mount choice, and, more importantly, its optical formula leave little to the imagination about what they have aimed to mimic.

The Biotar 75mm is often called the “Original King of Bokeh,” as the popular Soviet-era Helios 40 85mm f/1.5—known simply as the “King of Bokeh”—is rumored to be based on the Biotar’s design due to their similar optical formula.

Thanks to its unique optical characteristics, limited production, and beautiful bokeh, sharpness, and 3D pop, the Biotar 75mm f/1.5 became highly sought after, eventually turning into a collector’s item. Prices on the used market soared to between $1,500 and $4,500, depending on the version and condition. Now, let’s take a closer look at TTArtisan’s remake of this iconic lens!

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a Nikon Zf.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5 — Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/1.5

Nikon Z fc | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/8 — Nikon Zf | TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 | f/8

Continue reading Review: TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 – A Modern and Affordable Zeiss Biotar 75/1.5? →

Review, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox 28mm 4.5 AF Pancake

September 26, 2024 BastianK 28 Comments

Introduction

viltrox af 28mm 4.5 fe pancake review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 a7rii a7iii a7riv a7rv a7iv a1 a9 a9ii — Viltrox AF 28mm 4.5 FE on Sony A7rII

We didn’t see many pancake lenses for Sony’s fullframe E-mount cameras that actually deserve that title and when it comes to those featuring auto focus it starts to look really dire. Viltrox comes to rescue by offering this Viltrox AF 28mm 4.5 FE Pancake lens with the nickname “Chip”. As is always the case with such small lenses, there are some quirks to be aware of, so let me walk you through them.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Viltrox 28mm 4.5 AF Pancake →

Leica M, Light Lens Lab, Review

Review: Light Lens Lab 35mm 2.0 Eight Element

September 22, 2024 BastianK 9 Comments

Introduction

light lens lab summicron 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 eight element 8e review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue — Light Lens Lab 35mm 2.0 8e on Leica M10

A replica of the Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron from the 1960s was actually Light Lens Lab’s first project. This lens was also known as “eight element” because of its optical design consisting of 8 elements in 6 groups, and this is the name Light Lens Lab picked for it. Let’s have a closer look!
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Light Lens Lab 35mm 2.0 Eight Element →

Analogue, Nikon, Nikon, Projects, Sigma

Analogue Adventures – Part 34: Kodak Pro Image 100

September 17, 2024 BastianK 8 Comments

I thought I had already used all of Kodak’s color negative films still in production, but I somehow managed to miss out on the Pro Image 100. How does it compare to the readily available Gold 200 and the Portra 160? Let’s try to find out.
Processing (C-41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany, the pictures in this article are from one roll of film.

kodak pro image 100 professional review nikon f analogue film hamburg germany f80 — Nikon F80 | Kodak Pro Image 100 | Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX | f/1.4

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 34: Kodak Pro Image 100 →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G – Outdated or Modern Classic?

September 13, 2024 BastianK 8 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 24mm 1.4 g n ed sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma z6 z7 z8 z9 — Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G via FTZ II on Nikon Zf

The Nikon AF-S 24mm 1.4G ED N was a big deal when it was released in 2010 and it ended up being my most used lens on Nikon DSLRs from 2012 to 2014. Looking for a fast wide angle lens with AF in 2024, I decided to have another look at this one – instead of spending noticeably bigger money on the noticeably smaller Sony FE 24mm 1.4 GM. Was that an objective decision? Let’s find out together.