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.

Sample Images

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

Canon, Leica M, Review

Review: Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM

May 15, 2024 BastianK 18 Comments

Introduction

review canon ltm m39 leica 50mm 1.4 japanese summilux lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting — Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM on Leica M10

While Canon had a spectacular 50mm 0.95 and an only slightly less spectacular 50mm 1.2 in their LTM lens line-up, it seems the most popular of all those 50mm lenses is this compact and affordable f/1.4 version. Over the years this lens became somewhat of a legend, but is this actually justified? Let’s find out in this review.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM →

Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon Z 40mm f/2 – The Street Sniper for Discreet Photography

May 12, 2024 Martin 24 Comments

Introduction

Review test Nikon nikkor Z 40mm f/2 f2 S nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc z 7 z 7ii review nikon z test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon sample image images

40mm is one of my favorite focal lengths. Closer to the human’s natural angle of view than a 50mm, and slightly wider than 50mm, it allows for more context to be included in the image. I prefer this focal length in front of a 50mm for street and everyday photography. The Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 with its compact format is therefore an interesting lens. It is not an “S” line Nikkor Z lens, which is Nikon’s premium series but very compelling nonetheless. Let’s have a look at it!

I tested this lens on a Nikon Z 7II with its 46 Mp sensor.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here.

Sample Images

NIKON Review test Nikon nikkor Z 40mm f/2 f2 S nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc z 7 z 7ii review nikon z test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon sample image images — Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 | f/2

Continue reading Review: Nikon Z 40mm f/2 – The Street Sniper for Discreet Photography →

Accessories, Adapters, Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Monster LA-FE1 and LA-FE2 AF Adapter (Nikon-F to Sony-E)

May 8, 2024 BastianK 25 Comments

Introduction

monster la-fe2 lafe2 lafe 2 la-fe 2 II Mark MK autofocus autofokus auto focus adapter sony nikon z e mirrorless screwdrive screw driven review performance eye af — Monster LA-FE2 adapter

Canon users that wanted to get into the fullframe mirrorless E-mount world early were in a good spot: the Sigma MC-11 and the metabones Canon EF to Sony E adapters allowed using Canon EF-mount lenses on Sony cameras with only little limitations. For Nikon F-mount users the situation was sadly way worse and it took some time before the first similar adapter (Commlite CMF-EN1) was released – and that one had a lot of issues.

But suddenly, out of nowhere, the situation changed. With the release of the Monster LA-FE1 and later the LA-FE2 adapter we can now finally adapt Nikon F-mount lenses in a similar quality as those Canon EF-mount ones. The LA-FE2 even allows auto focus with the screwdriven Nikon AF(-D) lenses to work on Sony – something not even possible on Nikon’s own Z-mount cameras. Let’s have a closer look.
Update 07/24: more lenses tested, FW 06 for LA-FE1 tested

Continue reading Review: Monster LA-FE1 and LA-FE2 AF Adapter (Nikon-F to Sony-E) →

Nikon Z, Review, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 STM ASPH ED IF

May 2, 2024 Martin 16 Comments

Introduction

Viltrox Review test Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 f2.5 STM ASPH ED IF nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc z 7 z 7ii review nikon z test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon sample image images

Viltrox offers some of the best value AF lenses on the market and now they have come up with this AF 40mm f/2.5 at $158. It should be one of the least expensive fullframe AF lenses with Nikon Z mount and therefore quite interesting. 40mm is one of my favorite focal lengths. Closer to the human’s natural angle of view than a 50mm, and slightly wider than 50mm, it allows for more context to be included in the image. I prefer this focal length to a 50mm for street and everyday photography. The Viltrox Z 40/2.5 with its compact format is therefore an interesting lens. It is not a Viltrox “Pro” or “LAB” lens, which are their premium series, but very compelling nonetheless. Let’s have a look at it!

I tested this lens on a Nikon Z 7II with its 46 Mp sensor.

Sample Images

Viltrox Review test Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 f2.5 STM ASPH ED IF nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc z 7 z 7ii review nikon z test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon sample image images — Nikon Z 7II | Viltrox 40/2.5 | f/2.5

Continue reading Review: Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 STM ASPH ED IF →

phillipreeve.net

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

Introduction

Sample Images

Review: Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM

Introduction

Sample Images

Review: Nikon Z 40mm f/2 – The Street Sniper for Discreet Photography

Introduction

Sample Images

Review: Monster LA-FE1 and LA-FE2 AF Adapter (Nikon-F to Sony-E)

Introduction

Review: Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 STM ASPH ED IF

Introduction

Sample Images

Sony α | Leica M | Nikon F/Z New article every week