Review by Klaus Schroiff, published May 2022 Introduction No system is complete without macro lenses and while Canon has been offering the RF 85mm f/2 STM IS macro early, it isn’t really aligned to professional needs, at least.In order to serve this market, Canon finally released the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L USM IS macro. As professional-grade lenses go, the price for the entry ticket is on the high side at $1400/1500EUR – that’s more than double the amount you have to pay for the faster RF 85mm f/2. This raises the question of whether it’s really worth it ……
Author: Klaus
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published April 2022 Introduction The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 USM L was one of the first lenses for the RF-mount cameras. You may also say that it was nothing short but a STATEMENT because it’s the world’s first full-format standard zoom lens with a constant max aperture of f/2. It supplements the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 USM L IS, so Canon users are blessed with two high-speed zoom lenses in this range class. The two lenses are fairly different so each one has its place with the RF 28-70mm f/2 USM L surely being the more exotic…
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published February 2022 Introduction There is a general notion that full-format is the way to go for shallow depth-of-field photography. Of course, there have been many attempts to defy the limitations of smaller formats with f/1.4 and f/1.2 lenses. However, even this isn’t enough for some smaller Chinese players. Notably, Laowa got serious about it with a set of f/0.95 “Argus”-branded lenses. Now, in all honesty – lenses around the f/1 mark tend to be relatively poor in terms of performance – or let’s call it “full of character,” as Youtubers describe it. The new Laowa…
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published February 2022 Introduction First of all, I’ve to admit something – I’m one of the oddballs who love fish-eye lenses. Not always but often.Maybe it relates to the sea of conventional lenses that find their way into our lab and everything unusual is a welcome distraction. So in any case I have got a favorable bias. Thus the offer to review the new Tokina SZ 8mm f/2.8 Fish-Eye was very welcomed. It’s a fully manual, APS-C mount lens for X- and E-mount. The lens is very compact and lightweight – as it should be.Fish-eye lenses…
An ultra-wide lens on a budget?
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…