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Review: Pentax K SMC 28mm 1:3.5

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Pentax SMC 3.5/28 K front

The Pentax is a rather small and affordable 28mm lens and  Pentax had a reputation for their very effective coatings. Read on if you want to know why I like it so much on my 24MP fullframe Sony a7.

Specifications

  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 47mm
  • Weight: 261g
  • Filter Diameter: 52mm
  • Number of aperture blades: 5
  • Close Focusing Distance: 0.3m
  • Mount: Pentax K

The Pentax K SMC 1:3.5/28 usually sells for around $45-90 at ebay.com (affiliate link). 
In Germany you can buy it for 40-85€ at ebay.de (affiliate link). 

Sample images

Sony a7 | Pentax SMC K 1:3.5/28 | f/11 | full resolution
Sony a7 | Pentax SMC K 1:3.5/28 | f/11 | full resolution
Sony a7 | Pentax SMC K 1:3.5/28 | f/11 | full resolution
Sony a7 | Pentax SMC K 1:3.5/28 | f/11 | full resolution
Sony a7 | Pentax SMC K 1:3.5/28 | f/3.5 | full resolution
Sony a7 | Pentax SMC K 1:3.5/28 | f/3.5 | full resolution

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camera, lenses, Review

Review: Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5

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Introduction

Sony A7s with Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)
Sony A7s with Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 is actually a copy of the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm 1.5 and was produced in the UDSSR after WWII. The Jupiter lenses belong to the very few “lowcost” rangefinder lenses, but what do they have in store in terms of optical quality? Read on to find out.

Sample Images

jupiter-3 zenith sonnar sony a7s bokeh
Sony A7s | Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 | f/1.5 | full resolution
jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 sony alpha 7s bokeh portrait women head black and white
Sony A7s | Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 | f/1.5 | full resolution
jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 sony alpha 7s bokeh blue hour citylights vespa
Sony A7s | Jupiter-3 50mm 1.5 | f/2.0 | full resolution

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lenses, Review, Uncategorized

Review: Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5

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Introduction

Sony A7s with Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)
Sony A7s with Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 and VM-E close focus adapter (Helicoid)

The Nokton 50mm 1.5 Asph by Voigtlander is a small and fast 50mm rangefinder lens and has become my favourite “allround” standard lens on the Sony A7s. Read on to find out, what there is to like about this lens!

Sample Images

voigtlander nokton 50mm 1.5 sony a7 blue hour paris sunstars
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 | f/11 | Copyright Tour Eiffel – illuminations Pierre Bideau | higher resolution
voigtlander nokton 50mm 1.5 sony a7 portrait bokeh
Sony A7s | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 | f/1.5 | full resolution
voigtlander nokton 50mm 1.5 sony a7 architecture sky
Sony A7 | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5 | f/8.0 | full resolution

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Review, Sony E-mount, Uncategorized

Review: Zeiss Loxia 2/35 T* Biogon

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Introduction

Sony A7s with Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0
Sony A7s with Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0

The Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 Biogon is one of Zeiss’ manual focus lenses specifially designed for E-mount cameras. The modern design, the aperture “de-click” feature and the transfer of Exif-data sets it apart from adapted lenses. Read on to learn how it fares optically.
Update: conlusion updated (06/05/2016)

Sample Images

sunstars zeiss loxia 35mm 2.0 fe e blue hour vernazza italy cinque terre sony a7s
Sony A7s | Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 | f/11 | panorama from 5 shots | higher resolution
close up zeiss loxia 35mm 2.0 bokeh blossom kirschblüte cherry sony a7s
Sony A7s | Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 | f/2 | full resolution
architecture loxia zeiss 35mm 2,0 biogon sony a7s
Sony A7s | Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 | f/2 | full resolution

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Quick-Review: Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8

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Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8

Specifications

  • Diameter: 66mm
  • Length: 68mm
  • Weight: 415g
  • Filter Diameter: 55mm
  • Number of aperture blades: 6
  • Close Focusing Distance: 0.3m
  • Mount: Minolta SR

The Minolta MC 35mm 1:1.8 usually sells for around $115-160 at ebay.com (affiliate link). 
In Germany you can buy it for 120-160€ at ebay.de (affiliate link).
Also check out my Minolta SR-mount adapter guide.

Sample images

Sony a7 | Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8 | f/1.8
Sony a7 | Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8 | f/1.8 | full resolution
Sony a7 | Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8 | f/1.8
Sony a7 | Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8 | f/1.8 | full resolution
Sony a7 | Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8 | f/1.8
Sony a7 | Minolta MC Rokkor 35mm 1:1.8 | f/1.8 | full resolution

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Manual Lenses | Sony Alpha