Review: Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton – Better than its reputation?

July 17, 2024 BastianK 6 Comments

Introduction

Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.1 nokton noctilux review sharpness comparison leica m10 24mp 42mp 61mp m11 bokeh vignetting coma — Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton on Leica M10

Not counting special editions Cosina released ten different 50mm rangefinder lenses by now. This Voigtländer 50mm 1.1 Nokton was the first super fast one, featuring an all spherical design similar to the Leica 50mm 1.0 Noctilux. Despite its appealing f/1.1 maximum aperture, this has never been one of Cosina’s more popular lenses – which is clearly reflected by its used price, as you can often find it for ~$500. For a lens this fast that is not a bad price, reason enough to have a closer look at this lens myself.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

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lenses, Nikon, Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

REVIEW: Nikon Z Nikkor 26mm f/2.8

July 14, 2024 Martin 9 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Z 26/2.8 on Nikon Z 7II

Nikon Z 26mm 2.8 has an unconventional focal length that falls between two classic wide-angle focal lengths for candid street photography, 24mm and 28mm. It is remarkably compact, making it the smallest and lightest Z prime lens for full-frame cameras from Nikon. Not only is it one of the most compact Nikon Z lens ever, but also it currently holds the title of the world’s slimmest mirrorless autofocus fullframe lens produced by any manufacturer. It can also be used on an APS-C camera as a prime standard lens, providing an equivalent focal length of approximately 40mm, my favorite standard focal length. While not part of Nikon’s premium S-line lenses, it is well-regarded for its performance. Let’s see how it performs!

I tested this lens on a fullframe Nikon Z 7II (with its 46 Mp sensor) and on an APS-C Nikon Z fc (with its 21 Mp sensor).
Hereafter, for ease of writing, I will use Nikon’s designations “FX” for fullframe and “DX” for APS-C.
You watch see this review in video format on YouTube.

Sample Images

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Review, Sony E-mount

Review: Yasuhara Anthy 35mm 1.8

July 10, 2024 BastianK 4 Comments

Introduction

yasuhara anthy35 35mm 1.8 contrast resolution sharpness review sony 42mp 61mp a7rv a7riv a7rii a7iii coma vignetting bokeh — Yasuhara Anthy 35mm 1.8 on Sony A7rII

Yasuhara has a bit of an illustrous history. Founded in 1998 by a former Kyocera camera engineer, an M39 rangefinder camera has been sold under that brand from 1998 to 2004. The company then disappeared but resurfaced in 2011, now designing lenses. The founder passed away in 2020, so I am not sure if there will be any new products under this brand. Nevertheless, I did get my hands on their Yasuhara Anthy 35mm 1.8 for E-mount, so let’s have a closer look at this somewhat exotic lens.

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G N ED IF

July 7, 2024 BastianK 13 Comments

Introduction

nikon af-s 24-70mm 2.8 G ed N zoom standardzoom midrange standard tele 42mp sony nikon z 61mp z6 z7 z8 z9 a7riv a7rv contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting portrait — Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G via Monster LA-FE1 on Sony A7rII

By now I have used more than 260 lenses. Interestingly there has never been a 24-70mm 2.8 midrange zoom among those, even though they are really popular, there are a lot of them and pretty much any manufacturer made at least one. In my pursuit of assembling a set of affordable autofocus lenses with nice imaging characteristics, it is now finally time to change that. So let’s have a closer look at this Nikon AF-S 24-70mm 2.8G IF ED N.

Sample Images

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Analogue, Laowa, Minolta, Voigtlander

Analogue Adventures – Part 32: Fuji 100

July 3, 2024 BastianK 15 Comments

fuji fujifilm 100 superior review minolta cle leica analogue analog istanbul türkiye turkey — Fuji 100

In 2024 no one really knows anymore what is going on at Fujifilm when it comes to actual analogue film. Apparently the Fujifilm 200 that is being sold in the US is just relabeled Kodak Gold 200 – something absolutely unthinkable of just a few years ago. This Fuji 100 I received from a reader (Thanks a lot!) has been bought directly from Japan though, so it looks like the real deal, let’s have a look at the results together.
Processing (C.41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany.