Review: Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO (APS-C)

February 4, 2024 Martin Leave a comment

Introduction

Review Laowa Argus CF 25mm f/0.95 APO APS-C nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc Sony FE Fuji X canon rf m43 review nikon z z-fc z30 z50 test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f — Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO with the lens hood on a Nikon Z fc

We have seen a few exciting lenses from Laowa in recent years, especially in their Argus product line, which seems to be Laowa’s premium line of lenses. The one here, Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO is one of them. A manual focus “standard/wide-angle” lens for APS-C cameras with an ultra-fast maximum aperture of f/0.95. It has an unusual focal length of 25mm (fullframe equivalent of 37.5mm*), between the more usual 23mm and 27mm focal lengths (FF equivalents of 35mm and 40mm*). The 0.95 aperture promises impressive and nice background separation and hopefully a nice bokeh and extreme low-light capabilities. Besides, the APO designation indicates Laowa has used its APO technology in this lens and it should give much better correction of spherical and chromatic aberrations than non-APO lenses. Let’s see how good it is in the real world!

* The fullframe equivalent focal length of 37.5mm is true for Sony, Nikon, and Fujifilm cameras, while on a Canon APS-C, it will be equivalent to a 40mm lens on a fullframe camera.

I tested this lens on a Nikon Zfc
You can see this review a YouTube video here

Sample Images

In my liking the bokeh leaves something to be wished. — Nikon Z fc | Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO | f/0.95

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Leica M, Minolta, Review, Vintage

Review: Minolta 40mm 2.0 M-Rokkor

January 28, 2024 BastianK 11 Comments

Introduction

minolta 40mm 2.0 m-rokkor leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution — Minolta 40mm 2.0 M-Rokkor on Minolta CLE

Originally designed as Leica Summicron-C 40mm 2.0 to ship with the Leica/Minolta CL, this Minolta 40mm 2.0 M-Rokkor version with same optical design (but allegedly improved coatings) was one of the three M-mount lenses destined to be used with the improved Minolta CLE. This is still one of the most compact M-mount lenses and one of few options if you are looking for a 40mm, so let’s have a closer look.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

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Analogue, Laowa, Leica, Leica M, Minolta, MS-Optics, Travel-Report, Voigtlander

Analogue Adventures – Part 28: Japan

January 25, 2024 BastianK 23 Comments

Introduction

kodak portra 800 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om — Leica M6 | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/2.0 | Portra 800 +1 | ECN-2

When visiting Japan in early 2023 I exposed 8 rolls of film, this is a collection of pictures from that trip.

laowa 15mm 2.0 zero-d m-mount leica m10 m10r m11 review sharpness contrast coma distortion vignetting 42mp 24mp 61mp — Minolta CLE | Laowa 15mm 2.0 M | f/2.0 | Ektar 100 +1 | ECN-2

Minolta CLE | Laowa 15mm 2.0 M | f/8.0 | 500T | ECN-2

Minolta CLE | Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.4 MC | f/1.4 | 500T +1 | ECN-2

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Nikon, Nikon, Review

Review: Nikon AF 28mm 1.4 D – The wide angle Noct Nikkor

January 22, 2024 BastianK 16 Comments

Introduction

nikon nikkor af-d 28mm 1.4 noct wide angle historical review contrast resolution famous 42mp 61mp bokeh vignetting coma aspherical sony a7rII z7 z8 z9 z6 zf — Nikon AF 28mm 1.4 D via Rayqual adapter on Sony A7rII

I love to have a closer look at exotic lenses from the past, especially those that had a huge influence on lens design in general, that pushed the boundaries and ultimately redefined the idea of optical performance. This Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm 1.4 D is definitely one of those lenses. Not only does it feature a ground aspherical element, but also an extremely complex internal focus mechanism with one fixed and two moving groups. In 1994 no one else made a lens comparable to this one.
Let’s see what this lens is capable of on modern high resolution digital cameras.

Sample Images

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Leica M, lenses, Review, Thypoch

Hands-On: Thypoch Simera 28mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.4

January 18, 2024 BastianK 23 Comments

Introduction

thypoch simera 28mm 1.4 fast wide angle leica m10 m11 m9 m8 m10r review 42mp 24mp 61mp contrast sharpness bokeh vignetting — Thypoch Simera 28mm 1.4 on Leica M10

Thypoch is a new manufacturer of photography lenses and entered the market at the end of 2023 with two M-mount lenses, the Simera 28mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.4. I only received these lenses one week prior to the release date of the 28mm 1.4, so I am sharing with you here my first impressions of these lenses, to give you an idea if they could be something for you. Both lenses will also receive their individual reviews in the future, as you are used to.