Review: Leica APO-Elmarit-R 2.8/180

March 4, 2018 Stephen Ozcomert 28 Comments

Phillip was kind enough to ask me to write a review of one of my favorite lenses: The Leica R Apo-Elmarit 180mm/F2.8 E67.

I love this lens because it is optically excellent from wide open, lacks field curvature, has pleasing rendering, is well corrected, is small enough to comfortably hand hold, and is bright enough at F2.8 to use even in less than optimal light. I use this lens on Sony because there is no comparable native lens available.

It has been called the world’s best medium telephoto lens. While I cannot confirm or deny this claim, it is indeed a very fine optic in my experience. As will be seen below, it has many virtues and few weaknesses.

Sample Images

Images shown in this review can be found here in higher resolution.

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Sony E-mount, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton E Classic

February 24, 2018 BastianK 46 Comments

Introduction

voigtlander 35mm 1.4 nokton e classic review sony e-mount emount sharpness bokeh rendering vignetting — Sony A7rII with Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton E Classic

The Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton E “classic” was announced alongside the Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 Nokton E and after a slight delay just hit the shelves (02/18). The “classic” designation relates to the heritage of this lens as its symmetrical optical design is very similar to the older M-mount 35mm 1.4. What can we expect from Voigtlander’s first classic E-mount lens?

Sample Images

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Contax G-Mount, lenses, Review, Zeiss C/Y mount

REVIEW: Carl ZEISS 28mm f/2.8 Biogon T* + 1.5m pcx filter

February 18, 2018 sebboh 61 Comments

The Contax G 28mm Biogon was considered one of the best 28mm available on film, but suffers serious issues on digital due to sensor cover glass. Can a simple filter make the lens a competitive performer on Sony cameras? Find out below.

I have shot this lens for years on the Sony A7 and more recently with a PCX filter and then on a Kolari UT modded A7. Unless otherwise noted, all of the tests in this review were performed on a Sony A7RII with a reversed 1.5m PCX filter on the lens (Thanks again to Nehemiah for lending me the A7RII). Check captions on sample pictures to see what camera was used. Bonus: The Contax G 28mm Biogon is both Phillip and my favorite lens on aps-c cameras, so I will also add a second installment later reviewing the lens for aps-c provocatively titled How the A6000 + Contax G 28/2.8 is better than an RX1.

Sample Images

Sony A7 | Carl Zeiss Contax G 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | f/2.8

Sony A7 | Carl Zeiss Contax G 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | f/8

Sony A7 | Carl Zeiss Contax G 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | f/11

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lenses, Review, Sony Alpha 7, Sony E-mount

Sony FE 1.8/55 ZA Sonnar T* – Long-Term Review

February 7, 2018 Phillip Reeve 90 Comments

For this independent review I bought the Sony Sonnar FE 1.8/55 ZA T* and used it for a period of several months during which I performed many tests and used it in a wide range of applications.

Sample Images

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Canon EF-Mount, lenses, Review

Review: Canon EF 2.8/200 L II on Sony a7rIII

January 17, 2018 David Braddon-Mitchell 38 Comments

Introduction

There’s a gap in the Sony FE lens lineup that I find particularly irksome. There’s no AF 200mm f2.8. I don’t know when one will come either, because this is not a popular set of specifications. The lens makers think that you will buy a 2.8/70-200 zoom. But not only are they very expensive, they are very large and heavy. I would personally never carry one for the work I do, though of course many do, and many pros need to.

So what to do if that fast zoom is too heavy or expensive? I decided to have a look at a venerable and highly regarded Canon L series prime lens, the EF 2.8/200 L II. Adapted lenses work better than ever on the A7rIII, so it seemed like a good time to try it. Will it fill the gap, or should I be hoping for a Batis or Sony G?