Author: Klaus

We have become quite fond of Viltrox lenses lately. Especially their higher-end offerings have impressed us with a combination of impressive performance and sane pricing. And they’ve got a new kid on the block now – the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE. Priced at $899 USD / 999 EUR, they are exploring new territories here – threatening Sony (and later Nikon) in the professional full-format home turf now as well. The 135mm f/1.8 is the first “LAB” lens – a name extension used for their high-end offerings sitting even above their “PRO” lenses, and their PRO lenses have been pretty good…

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Ref.: https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/e-mount-lenses/sel2870gm Price: $2900 USD SpecificationsOptical construction20 elements in14 groups (3x XA, 3x SUD, 1x ED)Number of aperture blades11 (rounded)min. focus distance0.38m (max. magnification: 1:4.3)DimensionsΦ 92.9 x 139.8 mmWeight918gFilter sizeφ 86mmHoodPetal-shaped, bayonet mount, suppliedOther featuresdust- & weather-resistant, focus lock button, aperture ring, aperture de-click, floating system, breathing compensation support

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Ref.: https://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-15mm-f-5-cookie-ff Price: $400 USD SpecificationsOptical construction5 (for sun stars)Number of aperture blades5 min. focus distance0.12m (max. magnification: 1:5)DimensionsΦ 53 x 35.2mmWeight138gFilter sizeφ 39mmHoodPetal-shaped, bayonet mount, suppliedOther featurescoupled aperture & firmware updates via USB port with Sony E- and Nikon Z. Also available in silver.

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Introduction One of the differentiators of Sony’s E-mount is the triple-grade lens lineup. Besides the budget and professional GM lenses, there’s an extensive set of G-class lenses. These lenses aren’t quite as well-corrected or as fast as their GM counterparts, but they are very appealing in terms of pricing. For Sony enthusiasts without very deep pockets, this is clearly the place to be. Most of these G lenses are full format, but there are a few available specifically optimized for APS-C cameras. One of them is the Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G, which sells for around $750 USD. Upon…

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Ref.: https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/lenses/mirrorless-lenses RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z Price: $2,999.00 USD SpecificationsOptical construction18 elements in 15 groups (2x Super UD, 1x UD, 3x aspherical )Number of aperture blades11 (rounded)min. focus distance0.49m (max. magnification: 1:3.3)DimensionsΦ 88.5 x 199 mmWeight1110gFilter sizeφ?HoodBarrel-shaped, bayonet mount, suppliedOther featuresdust- & weather-resistant, focus lock button, image stabilizer (max 5.5 f-stops), compatible with converters, aperture ring RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM Price: $1,499.00 USD SpecificationsOptical construction15 elements in 11 groups (2x aspherical, 1x UD)Number of aperture blades11 (rounded)min. focus distance0.24m (max. magnification: 1:5.9)DimensionsΦ 76.5 x 99.3 mmWeight515gFilter sizeφ67mmHoodPetal-shaped, bayonet mount, suppliedOther featuresdust- & weather-resistant, focus lock button, aperture ring, control ring RF…

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Price: $599 USD Available in X-, Z, and E-mount Ref.: https://store.sirui.com/products/sirui-aurora-series-85mm-full-frame-autofocus-lens SpecificationsOptical construction14 elements in 9 groups (2x ED, 3x HRI, 1x aspherical)Number of aperture blades15 (rounded)min. focus distance0.85m (max. magnification: 1:8.7)DimensionsΦ 80.3 x 101.7mmWeight540gFilter sizeφ67mmHoodBarrel-shaped, bayonet mount, suppliedOther featuresdust- & weather-resistant, focus lock button, USB-port for firmware updates, aperture ring

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What’s better than a fast lens? Yes, a faster one. That’s also the motto in this review of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM. It has been on the market for a while now, so it’s about time for us to cover it. At the time it was released, it also killed the statement that the E-mount isn’t suitable for fast lenses. Obviously, this myth has been busted a number of times ever since (i.e., the manual Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1 Aspherical is even faster). Unfortunately, there’s also a downside with such lenses – their price tag. The FE 50mm…

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Introduction The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM was a good first shot when it came out, but it’s also a lens that has its flaws, specifically at f/2.8, where the corners aren’t ideal, and the peak performance isn’t all that impressive either. In recent years, Sony released A LOT of ultra-wide angle lenses, and this should have come with some insights on how to improve the successor – the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II. Other than the expected optical changes, the MK II is also fairly different mechanically. Sony managed to shave off 20% of the weight, and it’s…

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Ref.: https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/lenses/xf16-55mmf28-r-lm-wr-ii/ Price: $1199 USD SpecificationsOptical construction16 elements in 11 groups (4x aspherical, 3x ED, 1x Super ED)Number of aperture blades11 (rounded)min. focus distance0.3m (max. magnification: 1:4.76)Dimensionsφ 78.3 × 95mmWeight410gFilter sizeφ 72mmHoodPetal-shaped, bayonet mountOther featuresdust-, weather- and low-temperature-resistant, fluorine coating, Aperture De-Click Switch

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