Review: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50mm 2.8

Introduction

Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan (Black Version) on Nikon Z6

The Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan is a very small and compact lens, a classical anastigmatic triplet lens. It was the standard kit lens on EXA II cameras but was also sold as kit with many EXA I & Praktica cameras. Opinions on the Domiplan are very different. Some love it for its sharpness and its bokeh, especially its so-called “Soap Bubble” bokeh, others think it is nothing more than average in performance. In the manufacturer’s brochure of this lens from 1960 you can read:

With our new Domiplan 2.8/50 mm we have combined the advantages of the modern lens mount and the fully automatic pressure diaphragm with an extremely inexpensive three-lens construction.

I’ll come back to “the fully automatic pressure diaphragm” later in the review. Also as the first point in a features list in the same brochure you can read:

” – Inexpensive three-lens anastigmat of the proven triplet type”

The underlining is done by me, not in the original text. So it should be clear that we are dealing with a cheap and simple lens. Just to have our expectations at somewhat right levels. Do not despair though! It can produce very nice pictures and is quite cheap too.  Continue reading and it might be the next lens you invest in after all. Let’s have a closer look!

Sample Images

Nikon Z6 | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50/2.8 | f/2.8
Nikon Z6 | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50/2.8 | f/2.8
Nikon D7200 | Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50/2.8 | f/2.8

Continue reading Review: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50mm 2.8

Review: MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 Apoqualia

Introduction

ms-optics ms-optical apoquala f/2.0 2.0 28mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 Apoqualia on Leica M6

The MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 Apoqualia must be a bit of a fan favorite, as it has been rereleased – and the mechanical design improved – several times over the years, making it the first MS-Optics lens available in a Mark III version. I will be having a look how it all started though by reviewing a first generation Mark I version provided by a long-time reader.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII (UT) and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

ms-optics ms-optical apoquala f/2.0 2.0 28mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Sony A7rII UT | MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 | f/2.0 | LM-EA9
ms-optics ms-optical apoquala f/2.0 2.0 28mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 | f/2.0
ms-optics ms-optical apoquala f/2.0 2.0 28mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Sony A7rII UT | MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 | f/2.0 | LM-EA9
ms-optics ms-optical apoquala f/2.0 2.0 28mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Leica M10 | MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 | f/2.0
ms-optics ms-optical apoquala f/2.0 2.0 28mm fast leica m10 24mp 42mp review sharpness bokeh vignetting comparison compact tiny
Sony A7rII UT | MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 | f/2.0 | LM-EA9

Continue reading Review: MS-Optics 28mm 2.0 Apoqualia

Analogue Adventures – Part 21: Kodak Portra 400

kodak portra 400 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Kodak Portra 400

The Kodak Portra 400 is Kodak’s midspeed film from the Portra series sitting inbetween the Portra 160 and Portra 800. It is also the more expensive ISO 400 color negative film in the Kodak lineup, the cheapter alternative being the Ultramax 400.
Processing (C-41) and scanning was done at urbanfilmlab in Germany.

kodak portra 400 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 | f/2.0 | Kodak Portra 400
kodak portra 400 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f/1.4 | Kodak Portra 400
kodak portra 400 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 | f/4.0 | Kodak Portra 400
kodak portra 400 analogue leica m6 contax canon fd olympus om
Leica M6 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 | f/8.0 | Kodak Portra 400

Continue reading Analogue Adventures – Part 21: Kodak Portra 400

Review: Meike 50mm 1.2

Introduction

meike 50mm 1.2 e fe review 42mp 61mp sony a7riv coma bokeh fast resolution vignetting ca lateral
Meike 50mm 1.2 on Sony A7rII

It is astonishing how many lens manufacturers there are in China these days. Meike is one of them and around since roughly 2017, but just lately they started producing fullframe lenses and this 50mm 1.2 is one of their first, so let’s have a closer look!

Sample Images

meike 50mm 1.2 e fe review 42mp 61mp sony a7riv coma bokeh fast resolution vignetting ca lateral
Sony A7III | Meike 50mm 1.2 | f/1.2
meike 50mm 1.2 e fe review 42mp 61mp sony a7riv coma bokeh fast resolution vignetting ca lateral
Sony A7III | Meike 50mm 1.2 | f/1.2
meike 50mm 1.2 e fe review 42mp 61mp sony a7riv coma bokeh fast resolution vignetting ca lateral
Sony A7III | Meike 50mm 1.2 | f/1.2
meike 50mm 1.2 e fe review 42mp 61mp sony a7riv coma bokeh fast resolution vignetting ca lateral
Sony A7III | Meike 50mm 1.2 | f/1.2

Continue reading Review: Meike 50mm 1.2

The Best Fullframe Lenses from China

Introduction

Sony A7rII | 7artisans 28mm 1.4 | f/8.0

In 2023 there are plenty of lens manufacturers originating from China speaking to various different target audiences. While some are the Primark of the lens industry – simply trying to offer cheaper alternatives to the reknown manufacturers of lower quality – others have become the actual innovators in the photography lens business.
Having used more than 80 of those lenses from 15 different manufacturers I thought it is a good time to highlight the best ones I came across.
Update September 2025: many new lenses added

Continue reading The Best Fullframe Lenses from China

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