Nikon, Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon 58mm 0.95 Noct-Nikkor – The Ultimate Lens?

18 Comments

Introduction

nikon 58mm 0.95 noct nikkor arneo nano high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor on Nikon Zf

When camera manufacturers introduce a new mount, they usually also announce some fancy new lenses, which were simply not possible to design for the previous one. Canon for example did that by introducing the Canon EF 50mm 1.0L USM when they made the switch from FD to EF mount in 1989. And when Nikon made the switch from F to Z mount in 2019, it led to the release of this Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor, to showcase the possibilities of the much wider Z-mount. This is not only a rare, expensive and quite unpractical lens, it is also the best f/0.95 lens ever made. In the manual Nikon even goes as far as calling it the “Ultimate Lens”. Is there any truth to that? Let’s have a closer look!

Sample Images

nikon 58mm 0.95 noct nikkor arneo nano high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor | f/0.95
nikon 58mm 0.95 noct nikkor arneo nano high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor | f/1.1
nikon 58mm 0.95 noct nikkor arneo nano high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor | f/0.95 | Ai Denoise
nikon 58mm 0.95 noct nikkor arneo nano high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor | f/0.95 | Ai Denoise
nikon 58mm 0.95 noct nikkor arneo nano high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor | f/0.95
nikon 58mm 0.95 noct nikkor arneo nano high resolution bokeh portrait sharpness resolution lateral ca chromatic aberration aberrations zf z6 z6iii z8 z9 z7 z7ii z6ii 24mp 42mp 61mp
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S Noct-Nikkor | f/0.95

Continue reading Review: Nikon 58mm 0.95 Noct-Nikkor – The Ultimate Lens? →

Nikon, Review, Tokina

Review: Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC

12 Comments

Introduction

tokina 17mm 3.5 rmc sl wide angle ultra review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting compact nikon d700 d800 d810 d850 d780 fm fe f3 f f5 z6 z7 z8 zf
Tokina 17mm 3.5 RMC SL on Nikon FM2n

In the SLR era it wasn’t easy to find ultra wide angle lenses and it was even more difficult to find decent, affordable ones. The Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC was one of these few options. Back in the day I used it on my D700, looking for a wide angle lens for my analogue FM2 now, I thought it was a good idea to revisit this compact vintage lens.

Sample Images

tokina 17mm 3.5 rmc sl wide angle ultra review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting compact nikon d700 d800 d810 d850 d780 fm fe f3 f f5 z6 z7 z8 zf
Nikon D700 | Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC | f/16
tokina 17mm 3.5 rmc sl wide angle ultra review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting compact nikon d700 d800 d810 d850 d780 fm fe f3 f f5 z6 z7 z8 zf
Nikon D700 | Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC | f/16
tokina 17mm 3.5 rmc sl wide angle ultra review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting compact nikon d700 d800 d810 d850 d780 fm fe f3 f f5 z6 z7 z8 zf
Nikon D700 | Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC | f/16
tokina 17mm 3.5 rmc sl wide angle ultra review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting compact nikon d700 d800 d810 d850 d780 fm fe f3 f f5 z6 z7 z8 zf
Nikon D700 | Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC | f/16
tokina 17mm 3.5 rmc sl wide angle ultra review architecture 42mp 61mp sony a7riv a7rv sharpness contrast vignetting compact nikon d700 d800 d810 d850 d780 fm fe f3 f f5 z6 z7 z8 zf
Nikon D700 | Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC | f/16

Continue reading Review: Tokina 17mm 3.5 SL RMC →

Review, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox AF 135mm 1.8 FE LAB

14 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 135mm 1.8 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Viltrox 135mm 1.8 LAB AF on Sony A7rII

In 2023 Viltrox started dipping its toes into the higher end lens market with the releases of their Viltrox AF 16mm 1.8 FE for fullframe as well as the Viltrox AF 75mm 1.2 Pro for APS-C cameras. Both lenses with great performance at a fair price point. Now at the end of 2024 we are getting this Viltrox AF 135mm 1.8 FE LAB, their most expensive lens so far. Let’s find out how it compares to the strong competition in this review!

Sample Images

viltrox 135mm 1.8 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox 135mm 1.8 LAB | f/2.0
viltrox 135mm 1.8 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox 135mm 1.8 LAB | f/2.0
viltrox 135mm 1.8 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox 135mm 1.8 LAB | f/1.8 | pano from 4 shots | polarizer
viltrox 135mm 1.8 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox 135mm 1.8 LAB | f/1.8
viltrox 135mm 1.8 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox 135mm 1.8 LAB | f/2.0
viltrox 135mm 1.8 lab fe pro af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9
Sony A7III | Viltrox 135mm 1.8 LAB | f/1.8

Continue reading Review: Viltrox AF 135mm 1.8 FE LAB →

Canon, Canon EF-Mount, Review

Review: Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II

20 Comments

Introduction

review canon ef 85mm 1.2 l usm II mark 2 mk2 mkii 1.2l lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II via Megadap EFTZ21 on Nikon Z6

During the DSLR era the Nikon users always envied the Canon users for their fast f/1.2 primes – even though most would have never willingly admitted to that. While already the Canon EF 50mm 1.2L USM sounded appealing, I am sure more people lusted after this Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II. Time to have a closer look at it!

Sample Images

review canon ef 85mm 1.2 l usm II mark 2 mk2 mkii 1.2l lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | Megadap EFTZ21 | Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II | f/1.2
review canon ef 85mm 1.2 l usm II mark 2 mk2 mkii 1.2l lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | Megadap EFTZ21 | Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II | f/1.2
review canon ef 85mm 1.2 l usm II mark 2 mk2 mkii 1.2l lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | Megadap EFTZ21 | Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II | f/1.6
review canon ef 85mm 1.2 l usm II mark 2 mk2 mkii 1.2l lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | Megadap EFTZ21 | Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II | f/1.2
review canon ef 85mm 1.2 l usm II mark 2 mk2 mkii 1.2l lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Sony A7III | metabones | Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II | f/1.2
review canon ef 85mm 1.2 l usm II mark 2 mk2 mkii 1.2l lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting
Nikon Z6 | Megadap EFTZ21 | Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II | f/1.2

Continue reading Review: Canon EF 85mm 1.2L USM II →

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

REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S

16 Comments

Introduction

The Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S, designed primarily for demanding professionals and discerning enthusiasts, is one of the fastest autofocus lenses in the Nikkor Z lineup. While Nikon has a legacy of producing ultra-fast f/1.2 standard lenses, this is their first f/1.2 autofocus lens. Nikon’s history with f/1.2 lenses began in 1965 with the introduction of the Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2. This was followed by the legendary Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 in 1977 and the AI-Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 S in 1981. However, after the 1980s, Nikon took a break from producing f/1.2 lenses until the advent of the Z mount system in 2018.

With the larger Z mount, Nikon aimed to overcome the limitations of their previous f/1.2 lenses by incorporating new technology. As a result, the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S was launched in September 2020.

But did Nikon succeed in meeting these high expectations? Let’s find out!

camera-icon2I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images  taken with Nikon Zf)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Sample Images

Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2
Nikon Zf | Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2

Continue reading REVIEW: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S →

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