In-Depth Review of the Sony FE 16-35mm f4 ZA OSS T* based on two years of experience and technical analysis. Many full resolution images included.
Sample Images
Continue reading Long-Term Review: Sony FE 16-35mm f4 ZA OSS T*
The Team’s favorite lenses – April 2017 Edition
This is the first article of a new series in which we want to share our favorite lenses and new gear with you. There will be a new edition of it every half year.
Jannik’s favorites
I am still not able to contribute as much as I’d like to because I am very busy with my work. Nevertheless, I’m happy to share my current favorites with you:
I have used the Batis 2.8/18 for a while but something just didn’t feel right about it for me. Therefore, I have exchanged it in favor of the Loxia 2.8/21. It is still my all time favorite lens and I prefer it for it’s handling, the beautiful and contrasty rendering and it’s sun stars.
Continue reading The Team’s favorite lenses – April 2017 Edition
Review: Nikon Nikkor-P 85mm 2.0 RF
Introduction
Many people today might not even know Nikon (and also Canon) produced rangefinder cameras and lenses in their early days. Thanks to a reader I got the chance to review not one but three of these rather exotic Nikkor rangefinder lenses from the 50’s. The first one is the Nikkor-P 85mm 2.0 portrait tele.
Sample Images
Review: Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5
The Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 is a small and affordable lens which delivers a surprisingly good performance on the Sony a7 series. Read my in-depth review to decide if it could be a good addition to your camera bag.
Specifications
| Diameter | 64 mm |
| Length | 65.5 mm |
| Filter Thread | 49 mm |
| Weight | 310 g |
| Max. Magnification | 0.12 |
| Close Focusing Distance from the sensor | 1 m |
| Number of aperture blades | 6 |
| Elements/ Groups | 5/5 |
In Germany you can buy it used for around 140€ at ebay.de (affiliate link).
Image Samples
You can find all images shown in this image in full resolution in this album.
The Manual Photographers Series Part 5: Ronny Olsson
P: Hi Ronny, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to use manual lenses?
R: Hi, I live in Sweden in a village called Johannishus. I am 45 years old and work as a construction painter. I have a wife and two children, a daughter of 17 years and a son of 21 years. I began to photograph in 2010 when I bought my first DSLR, a Nikon D80, followed by a D90 and D700. Photography is a hobby for me and I see myself as a beginner, always trying to improve my photography.
My interest in manual focus lenses started when I became interested in Zeiss lenses and their special look: 3D pop, micro contrast and beautiful colors. Later I also bought older manual Nikon lenses, where there are quite a few gems among them.
2014 I went over to Sony E-mount. I liked the size of the body and then all possibilities with different lenses and different adapters.
First I bought a Sony A7 and later Sony A7R II and a Sony Rx1R.
P: Can you give us a look into your camera bag and tell us a little about your gear?
Sony A7RII – My main camera that gets used for everything. Aspects I appreciate about it are:
- Very good image quality
- High detail reproduction
- High Dynamic Range
- Built-in stabilization which works regardless of lens or lens adapter
- Significantly improved AF function (over A7 )
- Many programmable buttons
- Electronic shutter for reduced vibration
- Silent shooting
- Very good electronic viewfinder
- Very good folding screen
- Solidly built
- Weather sealed
Overall it is a really good camera to me.
Hint: All images are linked to the higher resolution version on flickr, just click on them.
Continue reading The Manual Photographers Series Part 5: Ronny Olsson
Madeira through the Eyes of a Photographer: Travel-Report
As I am writing this blog post I am on my way back from the island of Madeira where I spent a week with my friend Matt. I enjoyed the trip a lot so I would like to share my experience and my favorite pictures and photo spots with our readers.
Continue reading Madeira through the Eyes of a Photographer: Travel-Report
Review: Lenovo Yoga Book
Introduction
I was looking for the smallest and lightest notebook possible to accompany me on my trips. It needed to have a great screen, allow me to move files from one external device to another and to do some minor photo editing from time to time. I was looking at the Ultrabooks at first, but they were still to big and heavy for my taste, so I decided to give this unusual device a try…
Rolling Review: Sony FE 1.8/85
Introduction
I have just reveiced my own copy of the Sony FE 1.8/85. I am happy to see that Sony continues to expand their budget prime lens lineup. Especially the Sony FE 2/28 reflects a great value for the price, we liked the Sony 2.8/50 Macro too.
Let’s take a closer look at the latest “budget” lens in this rolling review. The review will be updated periodly.
Sample Images
Continue reading Rolling Review: Sony FE 1.8/85
Review: Olympus OM Zuiko Macro 50mm 1:3.5
The Olympus OM Zuiko 3.5/50 Macro packs decent performance into a lens which is as small as it is affordable. In-Depth review on the Sony a7ii.
Specifications
| Diameter | 60 mm |
| Length | 40 mm |
| Filter Thread | 49 mm |
| Weight | 200 g |
| Max. Magnification | 0.5 |
| Close Focusing Distance from the sensor | 0.23 m |
| Number of aperture blades | 6 |
| Elements/ Groups | 5/4, floating elements |
In Germany you can buy it used for around 50€ at ebay.de (affiliate link).
Image Samples
Just click on any image to get to the full resolution.
Short Review: Voigtlander Heliar 75mm F1.8
The Voigtlander Heliar 75mm F1.8 is a rare representative of the family of 75mm lenses. In this shorter review I give you my impressions on how it performs on the Sony a7ii.
Specifications
| Diameter | 58 mm |
| Length | 74 mm |
| Filter Thread | 46 mm |
| Weight | 427 g |
| Max. Magnification | 0.12 |
| Close Focusing Distance from the sensor | 0.9 m |
| Number of aperture blades | 10 |
| Elements/ Groups | 6/3 |
In Germany you can buy it used for around 400€ at ebay.de (affiliate link).
Image Samples
Just click on any image to get to the full resolution version.
