Review: Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S

July 20, 2023 Martin 26 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9

The Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S is the only Nikon 24mm with Z mount. 24mm on a full frame camera is quite wide at the verge of ultra wide angle, which can create dramatic images but at the same time it is not so wide that it makes composing images difficult. It is great for landscape photography, but due to its f/1.8 wide aperture it can also be easily used indoors or in other low light situations. It is a relatively expensive lens for being a 24mm f/1.8, but if this lens’s qualities show to be excellent then it can be considered as a reasonable price. Bear in mind that as Nikon’s only available Z mount 24mm prime it should appeal to all users, including the professionals and if its qualities are satisfactory for professional users then it is a relatively cheap lens. So, let’s see how it performs!

Sample Images

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii — Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/8

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh coma vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 — Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/13

Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm S review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 — Nikon Z6 | Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S | f/4

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Brightin Star, Funleader, Leica M, lenses, Review

Review: Funleader x Brightin Star 28mm 2.8 XSlim Pro-M

July 16, 2023 BastianK 14 Comments

Introduction

brightin star 28mm 2.8 xlim pro-m review contrast sharpness compact thin leica m10 m11 m10r 42mp 61mp — Funleader x Brightin Star 28mm 2.8 XSlim ProM on Leica M10

You probably know by now I have a soft spot for the tiny MS-Optics lenses, but there are two major issues with them: they are expensive and the manufacturing quality sometimes leaves something to be desired.
I was always wondering: what if some other company with better manufacturing capabilities would design lenses just as compact? I even pitched the idea to several manufacturers: without success.
But now Funleader and Brightin Star teamed up to do exactly that with this 28mm 2.8 XSlim Pro-M. It looks just like an MS-Optics lens and I have been very curious about it since I first heard of it.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

viltrox 75mm 1.2 af e aps-c e-mount review sony a6700 a6600 a6500 a6000 fuji sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma ca loca aberrations — Leica M10 | Brightin Star 28mm 2.8 | f/2.8

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Nikon, Nikon Z, Review

Review: Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 Ai-S

July 13, 2023 Martin 47 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii

The NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 was the lens that almost all the pro photographers had on their cameras most of the time during the 60s, 70s and 80s and most young and aspiring photographers dreamed of having on their cameras. From an era when Nikon was the undisputed number one 35mm camera/lens system among professional photographers worldwide. The NIKKOR lenses had a reputation for being tough with outstanding quality, both optically and mechanically. This lens was, because of its popularity, in production long after the advent of the autofocus and even digital cameras and was sold new alongside AF and digital lenses until mid 2005. Let’s see how it fares today!

Sample Images

Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii — Nikon Z6 | Nikon NIKKOR 50/1.4 Ai-s | f/2.8

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Review, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox FE 28mm 1.8 AF

July 9, 2023 BastianK 25 Comments

Introduction

viltrox af 28mm 1.8 fe review sharpness contrast bokeh coma vignetting 42mp 63mp sony a7 — Viltrox 28mm 1.8 AF FE on Sony A7rII

It is a bit odd that the manufacturers of E-mount lenses seemingly abandoned the 28mm focal length, especially when it comes to AF lenses. The only ones available for the FE system are the mediocre Sony FE 28mm 2.0 and the huge designed-for-DSLR Sigma 28mm 1.4 Art – both released in the early days of the FE system and nothing came since. Until now, as Viltrox is offering an alternative with this 28mm 1.8 AF lens. The recently reviewed Viltrox 16mm 1.8 AF proved to be an astonishingly good lens, will this 28mm lens be similarly good? Let’s find out.

Sample Images

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Analogue, Leica, Leica M, MS-Optics, Travel-Report, Zeiss

Analogue Adventures – Part 22: Istanbul

July 6, 2023 BastianK 13 Comments

Introduction

agfa vista expired 200 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om — Leica M6 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 Apoqualia | f/11 | Agfa Vista 200

It was my second time in Istanbul and as I already covered many of the “must see” tourist sights the first time I thought it was a good opportunity to shoot some more film this time around. Being less flexible with film it also helped that I already knew what to expect and where to go.