Review: Sony FE 35mm 1.4 GM – The perfect 35mm lens?

August 17, 2021 BastianK 32 Comments

Introduction

sony fe 35mm 1.4 gm gmaster za art 1.2 contrast resolution bokeh 42mp 61mp — Sony FE 35mm 1.4 GM on Sony A7rII

A fast 35mm lens is one of the most popular lenses for wedding and reportage photographers. In the Sony world we had to wait a long (read: very long) time for a really good one though, as the Sony FE 35mm 1.4 ZA was a bit of a dud with its huge sample variation and even the third party manufacturers were a bit late too the game (I am looking at you, Sigma 35mm 1.2 Art DG DN).
Now Sony has proven they know what the duds in the lineup are and after 5 years released the Sony FE 35mm 1.4 GM to rule them all. Let us have a look, if this really is the perfect fast 35mm lens.

Sample Images

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photography

A beginner’s guide to bird photography – Episode 1: Sharpening your senses

August 3, 2021 Jannik Peters 14 Comments

Long-eared owl | Sony A7RIV* | Sony 1.8/135 GM | 1/1000s | f1.8

Many of you may have wondered where I have been in the past year. My last review has been published long ago and the dust settles on my blog activities. There is a good reason: I have been out there and had an intense time learning new skills in a totally different field of photography. Now I am ready to share my knowledge in a beginner’s guide for bird photography.

Continue reading A beginner’s guide to bird photography – Episode 1: Sharpening your senses →

Laowa, lenses, Review, Sony E-mount

Review: Laowa 33mm 0.95 CF APS-C

July 24, 2021 BastianK 7 Comments

Introduction

laowa 33mm 0.95 f/0.95 portrait lens review sharpness contrast resolution bokeh venus optics — Laowa 33mm 0.95 CF APS-C on Sony A7rII

Regulars know we only rarely review APS-C lenses, but a 33mm f/0.95 lens with floating elements did manage to catch my attention, especially as it should give an idea of what to expect from the future full frame lenses of Laowa’s Argus line, so let us see what the Laowa 33mm 0.95 CF has in store for us!

Sample Images

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Leica M, Review, TTArtisan

Review: TTArtisan 90mm 1.25

June 26, 2021 BastianK 21 Comments

Introduction

ttartisan 90mm 1.25 f/1.25 review test comparison leica m m10 m10r m9 sony a7rii 42mp 24mp contrast bokeh sharpness — TTArtisan 90mm 1.25 via metabones adapter on Sony A7rII

To me the TTArtisan 90mm 1.25 was an unexpected lens, as Leica just recently put a 90mm 1.5 for 14 grand on the shelves, I did not expect anyone offering a faster 90mm M-mount lens. But here we are with a very chunky and massive 90mm 1.25 portrait lens. But is this the new M-mount bokeh king or is the design simply too ambitious? Let us find out in this review!
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: TTArtisan 90mm 1.25 →

Leica M, lenses, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander VM 21mm 3.5 Color-Skopar

May 16, 2021 BastianK 19 Comments

Introduction

voigtlander vm 21mm 3.5 color skopar leica m10 sony a7rii a7riii a7riv 24mp 42mp 61mp sharpness review contrast resolution — Voigtlander VM 21mm 3.5 Color-Skopar with LH-11 lens hood on Leica M10

The Voigtlander VM 21mm 3.5 Color-Skopar is Cosina’s latest slower 21mm lens. Phillip already reviewed the E-mount version, now I am having a look at the M-mount version, also to find out, whether there are actually optical differences between the two versions.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10