An ultra-wide lens on a budget?
Author: Klaus
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published January 2022 Introduction So to finalize our little tour of Tokina’s new gang of three prime lenses, let’s have a look at the Tokina atx-m 33mm f/1.4 E. Just like its cousins – the 23mm f/1.4 and 56mm f/1.4 – it probably shares most of its genes with a corresponding lens over at Viltrox. Still, it adds a more recognized brand and more local service centers to the value proposition. It is equivalent to a standard prime lens on APS-C cameras with a correspondingly broad amount of applications. Available for around $400USD or 320EUR, it…
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published January 2022 Introduction Recently, we reviewed the Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 X in Fujifilm X mount, but there’s also a variant in E-mount – correspondingly named the Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 E. On APS-C cameras, the field-of-view is equivalent to “85mm” on full-format cameras. Thus it primarily targets the popular portrait-, still- and street-photography market. Priced at around 370EUR/$430USD, which is slightly more affordable than the X-mount version – probably a result of the stiffer competition in E-mount. As of the time of this review, we can count no less than 19 different standard prime…
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published January 2022 Introduction The Tokina atx-m 23mm f/1.4 E is a moderate, wide-angle prime lens for APS-C Sony E-mount cameras. The paper specs may appear familiar to some of you. While differences may be present, the lens seems strongly related to the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 which we reviewed last year. Cooperations in the industry are fairly normal and it’s undoubtedly a win for both companies especially regarding Tokina’s better-known branding and service network. The pricing remains reasonable at around $450USD or 370EUR. The build quality is pretty high so the lens remains true to…
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published December 2021 Introduction The Sigma 100-400mm f/5.6-6.3 DG DN OS is the mirrorless camera version of the highly popular Sigma 100-400mm f/5.6-6.3 DG OS HSM. While very similar in shape, there are some subtle differences – including a modified optical formula. Unlike the older lens, it is at least possible to attach an (optional) tripod mount. The HSM has been replaced by a stepping motor which is more aligned to the use on mirrorless cameras. The good news is the pricing only increased marginally to around 950 USD/EUR both in Sony E- and L-mount. It may come…
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published December 2021 Introduction Laowa is playing it fancy again – not in terms of speed or focal length but in making things as small as possible. This time they surprised us with the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Marco APO, a full-format lens for mirrorless systems only. And it is tiny with a length of just 81mm and a weight of merely 291g (to 310g depending on the target system). Some may frown upon the thought of an f/5.6 lens but at least for macro photography, it makes absolute sense. Anything faster than this is more on…
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published October 2021 Introduction Recently Fujifilm opened up its system to a broader pool of third-party manufacturers. That’s good news for consumers because we can finally see some real competition. Among the alternative players is also Tokina, one of the oldest third-party lens manufacturers for system cameras (established in 1950). So far Tokina has released a series of APS-C prime lenses for Fujifilm X and Sony E mount. In this review, we’ll discuss the Tokina atx-m 56mm f/1.4 X. On APS-C cameras, the field-of-view is equivalent to “85mm” on full-format cameras. Thus it is primarily targeting…
by Klaus Schroiff, published September 2021 Introduction The overall market has been shifting to high-end products, and primarily towards the full-format segment. However, Micro-Four-Thirds has maintained one stronghold – serving users who want to enjoy the benefits of system cameras while maintaining a compact setup. Full-format CAMERAS may be almost comparable in size and weight but there is barely anything that the manufacturers can do to shrink LENSES without giving up the benefits of full-format. And unless we are talking about single-lens setups, it tends to be the lenses that are responsible for the bulk of the carrying burden. An…
Introduction As of the time of this review, Samyang has been the only third-party manufacturer offering AF lenses in Canon RF mount – namely the Samyang (Rokinon) AF 14mm f/2.8 RF & AF 85mm f/1/4 RF … but their status is unclear. Canon R-mount is a closed ecosystem with Canon obviously not willing to issue mount/protocol licenses. But it seems as if there’s even more to it. Samyang appears to have reverse-engineered the protocol but, at least according to messages on social media, they are about to stop manufacturing AF lenses for R-mount (because Canon threatened them?). The future of…
by Klaus Schroiff, published August 2021 Introduction Following our review of the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2, let’s go a little wider with the Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 – thus a moderate ultra-wide angle lens with typical applications such as street photography or landscapes. Other than its optical design and name, it is basically indistinguishable from its two in-house cousins (with the third one being the 20mm f/2.8). And at least regarding its pricing that’s a good thing. At around 250 USD/EUR, it is among the most affordable prime lenses on the market.For this amount…