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2024-03-26 Will the New Sigma FE 50/1.2 DG DN Art Outperform the Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-SL ASPH and Sony 50/1.2 GM?

2024-02-16 Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S: Bokeh Example with Crops

2023-04-13 Rehashed Design: Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH II (2023 version)

2023-02-25 Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

2022-09-15 Leica Upgrades Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH Physical Design

2022-04-27 Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II: Unprecedented Performance in a Mid-Range Zoom?

2022-04-08 Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: Sharp with Gorgeous bokeh, a Steal for Sony Mirrorless

2021-10-30 Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro STM Aperture Series: Alpine Creek Riparian Canopy (Canon EOS R5)

2021-06-30 Sigma FE 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Examples: Backyard and Bokeh

2021-05-10 Sony GM Lenses: World-Class Performance, Why Look Elsewhere?

2021-05-02 Essay and Reader Comments: Sony A1 vs Fujifilm GFX100S: Real Achievable Capture Resolution, Effort Level, Enjoyment (UPDATED, v2)

2021-03-31 Sony FE 40mm f/2.5G Aperture Series: Three Oaks

2021-03-31 Sony FE 40mm f/2.5G Aperture Series: Peach Tree Blossoms

2021-03-16 Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM: “pinnacle of the G Master series, with the ultimate in resolution and bokeh”

2020-09-25 In Depth Study: How Shutter Speed and Aperture Mangle Bokeh with Electronic First Curtain Shutter (vs electronic shutter and mechanical shutter)

2020-09-01 Sigma FE 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — Reviewing Soon

2020-01-07 Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is an outstanding lens with beautiful bokeh — $400 off today only

2019-09-02 Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Aperture Series: Orange Flower

2019-02-10 Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L Aperture Series: Bokeh with Out-of-Focus Speculars (Canon EOS R)

2018-10-22 Zeiss Batis 40mm f/4 CF: Bokeh Wide Open at f/2 Shows Nonagonal Shape of Lens Diaphragm

2018-09-30 Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM Aperture Series for Bokeh / Visual Impact: Aspen Trunks at Rock Creek

2018-09-25 Sigma’s Fast New Art Lenses, Plus What Looks to be a 'Killer' 70-200mm f/2.8 Zoom

2018-09-06 LensBaby Sol 45mm f/3.5

2018-08-24 Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

2018-07-13 Three Sigma for Sony 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Aperture Series: Closed Flower Seedheads, Yellow Flower, Crooked Pine

2018-06-22 Bokeh Shootout: Leica 90mm f/2.2 Thambar-M vs Nikon 105mm f/2 DC: Bird of Paradise

2018-05-25 Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

2017-09-01 Voigtlander 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar Bokeh Series: Backlit Trees

2017-05-17 Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

2017-02-24 Sigma Announces 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art for Nikon and Canon DSLRs and Sigma sa

Bokeh and Blur

How a lens blurs when out of focus is a Big Deal..

  1. Blur for Visual Impact
  2. Bokeh Overview
  3. Aperture Blades
  4. Effect of Shutter Type on Bokeh vs Shutter Speed and Aperture
  5. Pleasing Bokeh
  6. Color Bokeh
  7. Candy Bokeh
  8. Mushroom Bokeh
  9. Bird-wing Bokeh
  10. Lens Diaphragm Bokeh
  11. Concentric Diaphragm Echo Bokeh (from diffraction)
  12. Aspheric “Onion Ring” Bokeh
  13. Internal Dust 'Eyeball' Bokeh
  14. Replication Bokeh
  15. Diffraction Star Patterns
  16. Cat’s Eye Effect

Depth of Field

Controlling the zone of sharp detail..

  1. Delay in Depth of Field by Double-Image Bokeh

Vignetting (Field Illumination)

Evenness of illumination across the frame and related effects..

  1. Cat’s Eye Effect

Secondary Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration

Secondary Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration (SLOCA)..

  1. Secondary Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration (Color Bokeh)
  2. What Perfect Correction for LOCA Looks Like
  3. Case Study: Secondary Color Variance with Focus

How to Test A Lens

How to verify a good sample and assess all aspects of lens performance..

  1. Testing for Bokeh

Panasonic S1R

High-resolution L-mount full-frame from Panasonic..

  1. Examples: Portraits with Panasonic S1R Eye AF
  2. Examples: Boots the Cat with Panasonic S1R Eye AF

Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4

Premium fast normal lens for L-Mount..

  1. Aperture Series: Pines by Creek (Panasonic S1R)
  2. Shootout: Leica 50mm f/1.4 SL vs Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 50mm f/1.4: Rotten Log

Sigma L-Mount

Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art.

  1. Shootout: Leica 28/2 APO-Summicron-SL vs Leica 28/1.4 Summilux-M, Leica 28/2 Summicron-M, Sigma 28/1.4 DG HSM Art: Popcorn and Pumpkins (Leica SL2)

Leica SL3

60 megapixel 3rd generation..

  1. SHOOTOUT: Leica SL3 + Leica 35/2 APO-SL vs Sony A7R V + Voigtlander 35/2 APO

Leica 28mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Fast short wide angle lens for L-Mount cameras..

  1. Examples: Backyard (Leica SL2, APS-C)
  2. Shootout: Leica 28/2 APO-Summicron-SL vs Leica 28/1.4 Summilux-M, Leica 28/2 Summicron-M, Sigma 28/1.4 DG HSM Art: Popcorn and Pumpkins (Leica SL2)
  3. Aperture Series: Last Light on Polished Granite Humps (Leica SL2)

Leica 35mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Fast apochromatic prime/wide lens for L-Mount cameras..

  1. Examples: Backyard (Leica SL2)
  2. Examples: Fading Sunflowers (Leica SL2)
  3. Aperture Series: View from Russian Ridge to South Bay (SL3)
  4. Shootout: Leica 35mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL vs Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4: Popcorn and Pumpkins (Leica SL2)
  5. SHOOTOUT: Leica SL3 + Leica 35/2 APO-SL vs Sony A7R V + Voigtlander 35/2 APO

Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-SL ASPH

Fast apochromatic prime lens for L-Mount cameras..

  1. Examples: Boots the Cat with Eye AF(Panasonic S1R)
  2. Shootout: Leica 50mm f/1.4 SL vs Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 50mm f/1.4: Rotten Log

Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Fast short normal lens for L-Mount cameras..

  1. Examples: Backyard (Leica SL2)
  2. Aperture Series: Backlit Open Forest

Leica 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Fast short telephoto lens for L-Mount cameras..

  1. Aperture Series: Huge Pine Among Aspen
  2. Aperture Series: Decrepit Green Building at Ellery Lake
  3. Aperture Series: Deck and Roof (SL3)

Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Fast short telephoto lens for L-Mount cameras..

  1. Examples: Portraits with Panasonic S1R Eye AF
  2. Examples: Natural Subjects at Dusk
  3. Aperture Series: Huge Pine Among Aspen

Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4 ED VR and 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II

Which speed zoom for the Nikon D800/D800E?.

  1. Examples: Close Range (Forest

Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Nikon’s bread and butter telephoto zoom.

  1. Examples: Backyard Frost
  2. Bokeh

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II

Ultra fast 200mm with gorgeous bokeh and high resolving power..

  1. Examples: Bokeh and Color Correction (Nikon D810)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II review

Canon 5D Mark II impressions.

  1. Examples

Canon 14mm f/2.8L II

In-depth review of the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II including flare, distortion, field curvature, resolution charts, numerous field examples and comparison to the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G. The Canon EF 14/2.8L II is a superb lens, but with some peculiarities which may enhance or degrade its appeal for different uses. The review is as much a “user guide” as a review; even if you use this lens it’s well worth your time to read this review..

  1. Examples

Voigtlander 20mm, 28mm, 40mm, 58mm, 90mm Lenses for Nikon and Canon

In-depth review evaluates ergonomics, flare, bokeh, vignetting, focus shift, sharpness. Includes comparisons with Zeiss ZF 35/2 Distagon, Nikon 45mm f/2.8P and NOCT-Nikkor 58/1.2. Reviewed on Nikon, but now available for Canon EOS..

  1. Introduction

Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 SL II Color-Skopar

Ultra compact normal lens..

  1. Main—40/2 Ultron SL II
  2. Examples—40/2 Ultron

Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4

Normal lens..

  1. Main—58/1.4 Nokton SL II
  2. Examples—58/1.4 Nokton
  3. Bokeh—58/1.4 Nokton vs 58/1.2 NOCT-Nikkor

Shift Lenses for Nikon and Canon

[Older material, but still relevant]. Shift lens performance of Nikon/Canon/Schneider/Olympus on various cameras..

  1. Nikon PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED

Landscape Photography at Wide Apertures

Escape the banale postcard look by shooting landscapes at f/1.4 or f/0.95..

  1. Challenges

Pentax HD DA Limited 20-40mm f/2.8-4 ED DC WR

APS-C mid-range zoom equivalent to 30-60mm on full-frame..

  1. Pentax HD DA Limited 20-40mm f/2.8-4 ED DC WR Overview

Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM

Canon’s tiny and lovely pancake lens..

  1. Comparison: Canon 40/2.8 STM vs Voigtlander 40mm f/2 SL II
  2. Aperture Series: Aspen Trunks
  3. Aperture Series: Green Machine, Oblique View (5DS R)

Canon 50mm Lenses

Is Canon’s f/1.2 lens really better than an inexpensive f/1.4 or f/1.8?.

  1. Bokeh With Canon 50/1.2L, Olympus 50/1.2, Canon 50/1.4 (5D Mark II)

Canon 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

Canon’s best-ever medium telephoto and with image stabilization..

  1. Aperture Series: Selfies on Gnarled Stump-Log
  2. Aperture Series: Hanging Dead Brown Needles Pine Branch

Canon 85mm Lenses

Canon’s ultra-fast medium telephoto compared and in the field.

  1. Aperture Series: Canon 85mm f/1.2L II (Bristlecones)
  2. Aperture Series: Canon 85mm f/1.2L II (Bristlecone Stump)

Canon 35mm f/1.4L II

Canon’s updated fast 35mm prime, evaluated on Canon 5DS R..

  1. Aperture Series: Bonsai Juniper over Beaver Pond
  2. Aperture Series: Streamside Tetrahedron Boulder Amid Brush
  3. Aperture Series: Wood at Base of Waterfall, Gold Glimmer

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art

High performance mid-range zoom..

  1. Overview of Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

A whopping 4/3 stop faster than other lenses in its range..

  1. Overview of Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
  2. Aperture Series: Slush Ice on Shallow Pond

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

The fastest extreme wide angle yet..

  1. Aperture Series: Late Season Pomegranates (Canon 5DS R)
  2. Aperture Series: Grumpy Toad (Canon 5DS R)

Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Sigma’s fast high performance wide angle..

  1. Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
  2. Aperture Series: Glistening Rocks and Running Water (Nikon D810)

Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Extraordinary optical efforts for outstanding performance..

  1. Overview of Sigma 28mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
  2. Aperture Series: Road Grader, Alabama Hills
  3. Aperture Series: Orange Poppies

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Sigma’s fast and affordable moderate excellent wide angle..

  1. Compared vs Canon 35mm f/1.4L (Dolls, Canon 5DM3)
  2. Compared to Canon 35/1.4L (Pots, Canon 5DM3)

Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Extraordinary optical efforts for outstanding performance..

  1. Overview of Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
  2. Examples: Laws Railroad Museum
  3. Aperture Series: Sprinter by Moonlight

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Sigma’s fast high performance normal lens..

  1. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM A (Art Series)
  2. Sigma 50/1.4A vs Canon 50/1.2L and 50/1.4 (5D Mark III, Dolls)

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Extraordinary optical efforts for class-leading performance?.

  1. Overview of Sigma 105mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
  2. Examples: Portraits

Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

Fastest 135mm lens yet, with ultra high performance..

  1. Overview of Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

Schneider PC-TS Perspective Control Tilt/Shift Lenses

Tilt/Shift by Schneider for Canon and Nikon and other brands..

  1. Bokeh, 90mm

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM on Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is a worthy contender in the crowded 50mm area. See how it performs compared to the Canon EF 50/1.4 and EF 50/1.2L..

  1. Bokeh
  2. Examples

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

Nikon’s latest 50mm lens compared with the Zeiss ZF 50/1.4, Nikon 50/1.4D and Sigma 50/1.4..

  1. Reindeer Bokeh

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G

Nikon’s High performance normal lens.

  1. Nikon 58/1.4G Introduction
  2. Matched Comparison vs 50/1.4G (D800E, Beaver Dam)
  3. 58/1.4G vs NOCT-Nikkor vs Voigtlander 58/1.4 SL (D800E, Persimmon Tree)
  4. 58/1.4G vs NOCT-Nikkor vs Voigtlander 58/1.4 SL (D800E, Street at Night)

Canon 24mm f/1.4L II

State of the art design in a fast ultra wide angle lens..

  1. Examples—field shots

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 200mm f/4.0D IF-ED

Nikon’s workhorse 200mm macro lens, and not just sharp at close-ups!.

  1. Examples
  2. Color Bokeh

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G

Nikon’s fast ultra wide angle..

  1. Aperture Series: Sunflower Blossom (D810)
  2. Aperture Series: Glacial Erratics in Blue Skylight, Westering Sunstar (D810)

Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED

State of the art design in a fast 24mm lens. Includes full-resolution images at f/1.4..

  1. Focus Shift and Color Bokeh
  2. Examples — Wide Open

Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.2

An ultra-fast older design still offers appeal on modern digital..

  1. Aperture Series: Poppies and Pots (Sony A7R)
  2. Bokeh vs Canon 50mm f/1.2L, 50/1.4

Coastal Optics 60mm f/4 UV-VIS-IR APO Macro

A superlative multi-spectral lens with perfect color correction..

  1. Zero Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration
  2. Aperture Series: Poppies and Pots (Sony A7R)

Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II and 24-70mm f/4L IS

Canon’s premium mid-range zooms..

  1. Examples: Russian Ridge
  2. Color fringing at 70mm (Close Range, Dolls)
  3. Bokeh at 70mm (Close Range, Dolls)
  4. Bokeh (Outdoors, Alpine Creek)

Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.8G

A fast moderate wide angle lens with some practical difficulties..

  1. Examples (Dana Meadow Portraits)

Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.4G

State of the art design in a fast 35mm lens..

  1. Aperture Series f/1.4...f/11 — Tree Trunk

Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G

State of the art design in a fast 85mm lens..

  1. Introduction
  2. Bokeh Series from f/1.4 - f/16
  3. Focus Shift and Color Bokeh
  4. Off-center Aberrations
  5. Examples
  6. Examples in Yosemite and White Mountains

Nikon AF-S 105mm f/1.4E ED

Nikon’s best-ever f/1.4 lens?.

  1. Examples: Initial Evaluation, Backyard and Misc

Nikon 105mm f/2 DC

Strong telephoto lens with special control over spherical aberration..

  1. Neutral, Rear Defocus, Front Defocus from f/2 through f/11 (Bird of Paradise)

Canon 200mm f/1.8L USM

Coveted super speed telephoto..

  1. Aperture Series: Young Pine Amid Its Ancestors

Canon 200mm f/2L IS USM

A review of Canon’s 200mm f/2L mini super telephoto. Not just for sports, it makes a great landscape lens..

  1. Examples (Various)
  2. Aperture Series and Bokeh at f/2, 4, 8, 16 (Forest)
  3. Aperture Series and Bokeh at f/2, 4, 8 (Flowers)

Hartblei 40/80/120mm SuperRotators

Medium format Zeiss glass in Hartblei precision tilt/shift lens barrels!.

  1. Bokeh
  2. Examples—40/4
  3. Examples—80/2.8
  4. Examples—120/4

Nikon 24mm Lens Choices

Options for a 24mm lens: Nikon 14-24/2.8G, Nikon 24-70/2.8G, Nikon 24/2 AI-S, Nikon PC-E 24/3.5. Sharpness, distortion, flare, field curvature, shooting impression and ergonomics..

  1. Overview and introduction

Focus Shift In-Depth

Focus shift assesments of a wide variety of lenses of various brands. Shows a range of apertures for each lens and the mount of focus shift, discusses how to compensate for it..

  1. 50mm Lenses: Canon, Nikon, Zeiss, Olympus, Sony, Sigma

Schneider Kreuznach LS 150mm f/2.8 IF

Medium telephoto 100mm equivalent for Phase One XF system.

  1. Aperture Series: Cottonwood Tree Glowing in Winter Shade (IQ4 150)

Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR

Mid-range zoom lens equivalent to 26-53mm f/3.3..

  1. Shootout @ 63mm vs GF 35-70, GF 63/2.8: Huge Laurel Along Alpine Creek

Fujifilm GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6

Compact wide angle.

  1. Shootout @ 63mm vs GF 32-64/4, GF 63/2.8: Huge Laurel Along Alpine Creek

Fujifilm GF 55mm f/1.7

State of the art normal lens..

  1. Overview of Fujifilm GF 55mm f/1.7
  2. Fujifilm GF 55/1.7 Examples: Garden
  3. Fujifilm GF 55/1.7 Aperture Series: View Across Saddlebag Lake, Fresh Snow
  4. Fujifilm GF 55/1.7 Aperture Series: Aspen Log Stack, The Cabin 1990
  5. Fujifilm GF 55/1.7 Aperture Series: Backlit Mountain Oak
  6. Fujifilm GF 55/1.7 Aperture Series: Colorful Forest Path

Fujifilm GF 63mm f/2.8 R WR

Standard normal lens equivalent to 52mm f/2.3..

  1. Shootout @63mm vs GF 35-70, GF 32-64/4: Huge Laurel Along Alpine Creek

Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR

Standard normal lens equivalent to 66mm f/1.4..

  1. Overview of Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR
  2. Aperture Series: 9050 Pine Creek Road
  3. Aperture Series: Aspen Trunks, Dusk
  4. Aperture Series: Backlit Bristlecone
  5. Aperture Series: Backlit Bristlecones
  6. Aperture Series: Backlit Bristlecone Sunrise

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 OIS R WR

Telephoto equivalent to 200mm lens. .

  1. Examples: Lundy Lake Area (GFX 50R)

Hasselblad X1D Imaging Quality

Performance both in the field and controlled conditions..

  1. One Reader’s X1D Month-long Buy/Use/Sell Decision

Hasselblad XCD 65mm f/2.8

Normal lens equivqlent to 53mm..

  1. Aperture Series: Sagebrush Nook, Alabama Hills

Hasselblad XCD 90mm f/3.2

Medium format telephoto lens, 74mm equivalent..

  1. Bokeh: Out-of-Focus Lights at Night

Pentax 645Z Image Quality

High end image quality, but what about lenses?.

  1. Pentax 645Z Examples: Portraits (90/2.8)

Pentax 645 90mm f/2.8 D FA 645 Macro ED AW SR

Medium telephoto macro lens for Pentax 645 digital and film..

  1. Aperture Series: Pine Creek Buildings (645Z)
  2. Aperture Series: Aspen with Black Branches (645Z)

Leica S2 37.5 Megapixel Medium Format DSLR

How does Leica’s medium format entry measure up in ergonomics, image quality, etc?.

  1. Color Bokeh
  2. Axial Color (Purple Fringing)

Leica S Examples

Examples and comparison from the various lenses.

  1. Examples: Day 1 Experiments

Leica 30-90mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario-Elmar-S ASPH

All-arounder zoom for Leica S.

  1. Aperture Series @ 90mm: Grass Clumps on Boulders (S006)

Milvus 25mm f/1.4

Highest performing 25mm from Zeiss ever..

  1. Aperture Series: Stunted Aspen, Last Light on Granite Bowl
  2. Compared: 25/1.4 vs 25/2 vs 25/2.8: Shaded Boulder Field, North-East Escarpment, Twenty Lakes Basin

Milvus 35mm f/1.4

Highest performing 35mm from Zeiss ever..

  1. Aperture Series: Backlit Bare Aspen Trunks

Milvus 50mm f/1.4

Outstanding build and optical quality in a normal lens..

  1. Aperture Series: Four Aspens, Late Dusk (Sony A7R II)

Milvus 85mm f/1.4

Outstanding build and optical quality in a medium tele..

  1. Aperture Series: Yellow Flowers Closeup (Nikon D810)

Milvus 100mm f/2M

The classic 100/2 Makro-Planar improved..

  1. Bokeh Aperture Series: Wild Onion and Shining Lake
  2. Macro Examples: Shape of Out of Focus Specular Bokeh
  3. Color Correction Shootout vs Sigma 105/1.4A, Nikon 105/2 DC

Introduction

Start here to best utilize this guide..

  1. Introduction to the Zeiss ZF/ZE Lenses

Optical Performance

Sharpness and rendering..

  1. Bokeh

18mm f/3.5 Distagon

A brilliant, but also colorful character..

  1. Bokeh
  2. Sagittal Coma Flare
  3. Examples ZE/Canon Closeups

25mm f/2 Distagon

Ultra high performance with a fast aperture..

  1. Examples (Ad-Hoc)
  2. Examples (Yosemite, White Mountains)
  3. Aperture Series: Banana Slug

25mm f/2.8 Distagon

A gem with unusual close-focus..

  1. Bokeh

28mm f/2 Distagon

An artist’s drawing tool..

  1. Bokeh

35mm f/1.4 Distagon

Strokes of a master..

  1. 35/1.4 Distagon Main Page
  2. Bokeh at f/1.4
  3. Examples, Nikon D3x in Sierra and White Mountains
  4. Bokeh Examples on Nikon D3x (Backyard)
  5. Comparison — Mossy Tree By Creek
  6. Aperture Series: Welding Rig View to Tailings Piles (Canon 5Ds R)

35mm f/2 Distagon

Balance and poise..

  1. Bokeh vs Other Lenses
  2. Examples: Mountains

50mm f/1.4 Planar

Brilliant imaging in a compact package..

  1. Bokeh Compared to Other 50mm Lenses
  2. Outdoor Bokeh
  3. Examples in White Mountains, Death Valley

50mm f/2 Makro-Planar

Versatility in a “normal” lens and macro too!.

  1. Bokeh
  2. 50/2 Examples in White Mountains, Death Valley, Yosemite
  3. Examples: Sierra Autumn to Early White Mountains Winter
  4. 50/2 Examples, ZE for Canon EOS

Otus 28mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon

Fast high performance APO wide angle..

  1. Aperture Series: Yellow Aspen

Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon Rendering Style

Rendering style, bokeh and beauty..

  1. Aperture Series: Tulips (Nikon D800E)
  2. Aperture Series: Macro PK11A, Doll (Nikon D800E)
  3. Aperture Series: Fruit Still Life (Leica M Typ 240)

Otus 85mm f/1.4 APO-Planar

Ultra high performance apochromatic medium telephoto, overview and technical..

  1. Bokeh Effects when Defocused for Otus 85/1.4 APO-Planar
  2. Select Focus Freedom from Artifacts

Otus 85mm f/1.4 APO-Planar Rendering Style

Rendering style, bokeh and 'transparency' without peer..

  1. Aperture Series: Atlas Permaguard (Nikon D810)
  2. Aperture Series: Green Bokeh Beauty (Nikon D810)
  3. Aperture Series vs Nikon 85/1.4G: Tools Closeup (Nikon D850)

Otus 100mm f/1.4 APO-Sonnar

Razor sharp with gorgeous bokeh..

  1. Examples: Flowers, Plants, Ad-Hoc (Nikon D850)
  2. Examples: Campus, Late Day (Nikon D850)
  3. Aperture Series: Orange Poppies at MOD (Nikon D850)
  4. Aperture Series: 'The Claw' Fountain (Nikon D850)

85mm f/1.4 Planar

True-to-life imagery..

  1. 85/1.4 Planar Main Page
  2. Bokeh Compared to Other 85mm Lenses
  3. Bokeh in Field Images
  4. Examples
  5. Examples — Yosemite
  6. Aperture Series: Radio Towers (Nikon D800E)

100mm f/2 Makro-Planar

King of bokeh! Corner-to-corner sharpness, world class..

  1. Bokeh Examples
  2. Examples
  3. Examples, ZE for Canon EOS
  4. Examples: Lundy Canyon, Early Winter
  5. Comparison to Leica 100/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R

135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar

Beautiful bokeh, razor sharp, superb color correction..

  1. Aperture Series (D800E, Dolls)
  2. Bokeh Aperture Series: Tulips 10 (Nikon D800E)
  3. Bokeh Aperture Series: Peach Blossoms (Nikon D800E)
  4. Aperture Series: Bristlecone Bokeh (Nikon D800E)
  5. Aperture Series: White Branches By Creek (Canon 5D Mark III)
  6. Bokeh: Out of Focus Specular (D800E, Vehicle)
  7. Bokeh Examples (D800E, Various)
  8. Bokeh Examples (D800E, Golden Gate Bridge)

Conclusions

Summary and wrap-up..

  1. Overall Conclusions

Zeiss LensSpire Articles

Articles written for Lenspire.ZEISS.com..

  1. Macro and Close-up Shooting, Especially Outdoors
  2. Zoom Lens or Prime? 50mm and 55mm
  3. Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 Anchor a Gorgeous New Lens Line
  4. First Look at the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4

Travel and Places

Out of the way places and wonders..

  1. Mirrorless Cameras for On-The-Go Shooting

Subjective Lens Qualities

Also known as shading..

  1. Vignetting—Drawback or Artistic Feature?
  2. Background Blur (Bokeh)—NOCT-Nikkor vs Canon 85/1.2L

Misc Reviews

Miscellaneous reviews..

  1. Thirty Minutes With the PhaseOne P20

Photo Tips

Photography Hints and Tips..

  1. Fast Lenses—Shutter Speeds / Background Blur (Bokeh)

Zeiss ZF.2 and Zeiss ZE Lenses For Canon and Nikon

Zeiss ZF.2 and Zeiss ZE Lenses For Canon and Nikon.

  1. Focusing, Build Quality, Color, Flare, Bokeh
  2. Mini Review: Zeiss ZF/ZE 35mm f/2 Distagon
  3. Mini Review: Zeiss ZF/ZE 50mm f/1.4 Planar
  4. Mini Review: Zeiss ZF/ZE 50mm f/2 Makro-Planar
  5. Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon

Hartblei 40/80/120mm SuperRotators

Medium format Zeiss glass in Hartblei precision tilt/shift lens barrels!.

  1. Bokeh
  2. Examples—40/4
  3. Examples—80/2.8
  4. Examples—120/4

Nikon D200 vs D2x

Vintage 2006 comparative review of Nikon D200 vs Nikon D2x..

  1. LensEvaluations

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM

Fast standard zoom lens..

  1. Aperture Series @ 42mm: Bonsai Juniper Over Beaver Pond

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Bread and butter all-around zoom..

  1. Examples: Exploring Varied Aspects of Performance
  2. Aperture Series @ 70mm: Orange Poppy and Chair
  3. Aperture Series @ 70mm: Condensation Inside Taillight
  4. Aperture Series @ 70mm: Bokeh with Out-of-Focus Speculars
  5. Aperture Series @ 70mm: Beater Bikes Near Puddle

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro STM

All-arounder compact lens with macro capability..

  1. Aperture Series for Bokeh: Alpine Creek Riparian Canopy(EOS R5)

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM

High speed portrait lens optimized for Canon mirrorless..

  1. Aperture Series: Ghostly Aspen Trunks

Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S

Fast ultra wide angle for Nikon Z..

  1. Aperture series: Pre-Sunrise Bristlecone Trunks

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S

Fast wide angle for Nikon Z..

  1. Aperture series: Small Aspen Trunks, Frontlit
  2. Aperture series: Huge Ancient Bristlecone Pine
  3. Aperture series: Bleached Tree in Creek
  4. Aperture Series: Sunlight Breaks Through Storm Clouds

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S

Ultra wide compact zoom for Nikon Z cameras..

  1. Bokeh for Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Fast mid-range zoom expressly designed for Nikon Z cameras..

  1. Aperture Series @ 24mm: Dead Trees in Defunct Beaver Pond
  2. Aperture Series @ 24mm: Natural Bonsai Over Beaver Pond
  3. Aperture Series @ 24mm: Downed Aspen Tree
  4. Aperture Series @ 32mm: Natural Bonsai Over Beaver Pond
  5. Aperture Series @ 54mm: Old Gnarled Rootball
  6. Aperture Series @ 70mm: Natural Bonsai Over Beaver Pond

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

Mid-range zoom expressly designed for Nikon Z cameras..

  1. Aperture Series @ 70mm: Aspen Leaf Closeup

Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Ultra-wide zoom lens..

  1. Examples: Backyard (Z8)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Ultra-wide fast zoom..

  1. Examples: Backyard Garden (Z8)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Ultra high speed normal lens, flagship of the line..

  1. Introduction to Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 S VR Macro

Telephoto macro lens..

  1. Bokeh

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.18 Plena

Fast medium telephoto..

  1. Introduction to Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM

Ultra high performance extreme wide angle..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM
  2. Examples: Backyard

Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G

Compact ultra-wide angle lens..

  1. Aperture Series: Backlit Sagebrush View to Peaks

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM

High performance wide angle..

  1. Violet Fringing and Secondary Color Bokeh, Point Spread Function
  2. Examples: Close-Range Shooting
  3. Aperture Series: View Through Pines to Mono Lake
  4. Shootout: Sony 24/1.4 GM vs Zeiss Loxia 25/2.4: Beaver-Gnawed Log by Lichenized Boulder (Sony A7R III)

Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G

High performance, high speed..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G
  2. Aperture Series: Deck Planks — Getting Optimal Results by Understanding Focus Shift, Field Curvature, Distortion Correction

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM

High performance mild wide-angle..

  1. Examples: Tigger Close and Far
  2. Examples: Backyard
  3. Aperture Series: Lichen-Covered Boulder in Beaver Pond

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 Distagon ZA

Fast and gorgeous moderate wide angle Zeiss design..

  1. Portraits (A7R)

Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA

Fast high performance normal lens of Zeiss design..

  1. Shootout vs Rokinon FE 50/1.4 AF (Dolls, Sony A7R II)
  2. Examples @ f/1.4: Metal, Backlighting and More (Sony A7R II)
  3. Shootout: Sony FE 50/2.5G vs Sony 50/1.4 ZA vs Voigtlander FE 50/2 APO-Lanthar — Teak Bench

Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Sonnar

Compact moderate wide angle for Sony mirrorless..

  1. Aperture Series: Grass in Pot by Bench (Sony A7R)
  2. Aperture Series: Persimmon Tree Hanging Fruit (Sony A7R)
  3. Aperture Series: Redwood Stump Long Exposure (Sony A7R)

Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G

High performance, high speed..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G
  2. Aperture Series: Backlit Deck and Backyard
  3. Aperture Series: Peach Tree Blossoms
  4. Aperture Series: Three Oaks

Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM

High performance, high speed..

  1. Design Challenges for Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM
  2. Examples: Backyard
  3. Examples: Old Talc Mine
  4. Examples: Dreamy Drawing (Backyard)
  5. Aperture Series: Last Season’s Plant Spikes in Spring Meadow

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

High performance, high speed..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G

High performance, high speed..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G
  2. Shootout: Sony FE 50/2.5G vs Sony 50/1.4 ZA vs Voigtlander FE 50/2 APO-Lanthar — Teak Bench
  3. Shootout: Sony FE 50/2.5G vs Voigtlander FE 50/2 APO-Lanthar — Backlit Deck and Backyard

Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Sonnar

Compact normal lens for full-frame Sony mirrorless..

  1. Aperture Series: Sedge and Creek Reflections (Sony A7R)

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM

Top-grade medium telephoto..

  1. Aperture Series: Yellow Bike at Night
  2. Aperture Series: Aspen Trunks at Rock Creek
  3. Aperture Series: Staggered Tree Trunks

Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM

Razor sharp medium telephoto with apodization filter..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM

Sony FE 135mm f/1.4 GM

Top-grade telephoto..

  1. Examples: Portraits (Sony A7R III)
  2. Aperture Series: Ancient Pine at Mono Craters

Sigma FE 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

Native-mount ultra wide angle high performance zoom for mirrorless..

  1. Overview of Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
  2. Aperture Series @ 14mm: Teak Bench Closeup
  3. Aperture Series @ 24mm: Teak Bench Closeup
  4. Aperture Series @ 24mm: Buckeye along Storm Drain

Sigma FE 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

Native-mount mid-range zoom for mirrorless..

  1. Overview of Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
  2. Aperture Series @35mm: Mining Cylinder View to Playa, Dusk

Sigma FE 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Outstanding wide angle, watch out for lens skew..

  1. Overview of Sigma FE 28mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

Sigma FE 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art

Ultra high speed native-mount moderate wide angle..

  1. Overview of Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art
  2. Aperture Series: Teak Bench (Sony A7R IV)

Sigma FE 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Fast native-mount moderate wide angle..

  1. Examples: Tigger
  2. Examples: Bokeh Behavior
  3. Examples: Backyard

Sigma FE 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary

Compact native-mount wide angle..

  1. Overview of Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary

Sigma FE 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary

Compact native-mount wide angle..

  1. Overview of Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary
  2. Examples: Backyard

Sigma FE 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary

Compact native-mount normal lens..

  1. Overview of Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary

Sigma FE 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art

Ultra high speed prime lens..

  1. Overview of Sigma FE 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art
  2. MTF for Sigma FE 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art

Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary

Compact native-mount wide angle..

  1. Overview of Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary

Sigma FE 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Ultra high performance medium telephoto..

  1. Overview of Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
  2. Aperture Series: Glass Vase
  3. Aperture Series: Kitchen Countertop

Sigma FE 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Highly corrected medium telephoto..

  1. Overview of Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
  2. Aperture Series: White Aspen Trunks, Wide View
  3. Aperture Series: White Aspen Trunks, Close View

Voigtlander Z 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical

High-grade manual focus wide-normal lens..

  1. Overview of Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical

Voigtlander Z 50mm f/1 Aspherical

Ultra high-speed normal lens..

  1. Overview of Voigtlander FE 50mm f/1 Aspherical

Voigtlander Z 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical

High-grade manual focus normal lens..

  1. Aperture Series: Bonsai over Beaver Pond (Z8)

Voigtlander FE 21mm f/1.4 Aspherical

Fast high performance manual focus wide angle..

  1. Overview of Voigtlander FE 21mm f/1.4 Aspherical
  2. Aperture Series: Red Electric Cart
  3. Aperture Series: Spring Flowers along Tenaya Creek

Voigtlander FE 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical

Fast mild wide angle lens..

  1. Overview of Voigtlander FE 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical
  2. Examples: Around the House
  3. Aperture Series: Bicycles
  4. Aperture Series: Dolls
  5. Aperture Series: Oak Tree Trunks
  6. Aperture Series: Madrone Leaves
  7. Aperture Series: Last Smoky Sun on Persimmon Tree

Voigtlander FE Nokton Classic 35mm f/1.4

Fast lens speed with curious rendering..

  1. Aperture Series: Sprinter Van at Sunrise

Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical

High-grade manual focus wide-normal lens..

  1. Overview of Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical
  2. Examples: Backyard
  3. SHOOTOUT: Leica SL3 + Leica 35/2 APO-SL vs Sony A7R V + Voigtlander 35/2 APO

Voigtlander FE Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical

Fast lens speed for versatile rendering..

  1. Bokeh
  2. Aperture Series: Sprinter Van, Sunlit Frontal View
  3. Aperture Series: Sprinter Van at Sunrise

Voigtlander FE 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical

High-grade manual focus normal lens..

  1. Overview of Voigtlander FE 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical
  2. Aperture Series: Blue Bike
  3. Aperture Series: Rodin Burghers, Dusk
  4. Shootout: Sony FE 50/2.5G vs Sony 50/1.4 ZA vs Voigtlander FE 50/2 APO-Lanthar — Teak Bench
  5. Shootout: Sony FE 50/2.5G vs Voigtlander FE 50/2 APO-Lanthar — Backlit Deck and Backyard

Voigtlander FE 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar Aspherical

Ultra high grade macro all-arounder..

  1. Bokeh Aperture Series: Backlit Trees
  2. Aperture Series: Palm Tree Trunk

Voigtlander Nokton 42.5mm f/0.95

Ultra fast medium telephoto manual focus lens..

  1. Aperture Series: Magenta Flower on Green

Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Nocturnus 50mm f/0.95 II

Speed to match the Leica Noctilux-M, based on Mitakon Zonghyi optics..

  1. Overview of Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Nocturnus 50mm f/0.95 II

Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM

Fast extreme wide angle zoom..

  1. Aperture Series @ 24mm: Colorful Autumn Forest, Tenaya Canyon Streamside

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

Pro-grade f/2.8 wide angle zoom..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar

Comapact ultra-wide zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless..

  1. Aperture Series @ 25mm: Yellow and Blue Bike Close, Focus Shift (Sony A7R)
  2. Bokeh Aperture Series @ 31mm: Buckeye (Sony A7R)

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Premiere mid-range zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless.

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
  2. Aperture Series @ 38mm: Sunflower Head
  3. Aperture Series @ 55mm: Sunflower Head

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

Premiere mid-range zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless.

  1. Aperture Series @52mm: Strongly Backlit MTB

Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 OSS Vario-Tessar

Comapact mid-range zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless.

  1. Aperture Series @ 70mm: Pots and Plants (Sony A7R)

Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS

Hand-holdable super telephoto zoom..

  1. Introduction to Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS

Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 STF

Manual focus apodized lens for ultra smooth focus..

  1. Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 STF
  2. Aperture Series: Storm Clouds Over Kolob Canyons Peaks

Ricoh GR

Razor sharp 28mm lens on APS-C sensor and outstanding usability and features..

  1. Bokeh: Out of Focus Rendition

Sony Cybershot RX1R II

Diminutive full-frame camera with 35mm f/2 fixed lens..

  1. Aperture Series: Pescadero Creek Grasses and Polished Rocks, Upstream

Sony Cybershot DSC-RX1 / RX1R

Full frame camera in an ultra-compact body with or without anti-aliasing filter..

  1. Bokeh in General, Overall Lens Rendering Style (RX1R)
  2. Aperture Series, Close Range (RX1, Dolls)

Sony DSC-RX10 III

Stunningly high image quality in a 20MP point and wide range zoom..

  1. Examples: Ad-Hoc Backyard Shots at Tele End

Olympus Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Zoom

A high performance mid-range zoom..

  1. Shootout: 12-40/2.8 vs SHG 14-35/2 vs Panasonic 25/1.4 Summilux (EM1, Yellow Wagon)

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO

Fast portrait lens..

  1. Overview of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO

Sigma DN 19mm f/2.8

Wide angle for Micro Four Thirds or Sony E Mount/NEX..

  1. Examples (Initial Misc)

Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH

Fast, bright and highly corrected medium telephoto..

  1. Examples: Assessment of Overall Imaging Quality (EM1)

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Interchangeable lenses on a 16MP APS-C sensor.

  1. Examples (Flowers and Food)

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2

A bright short telephoto lens..

  1. Color Bokeh, Aberration Control

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 APD

Apodization filter version of the 56/1.2..

  1. Overview of Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 APD
  2. 56/1.2 APD vs 56/1.2: Defocused Bokeh

Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR

Medium-long fast telephoto..

  1. Overview of Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR

Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8 Distagon

Outstanding ultra wide angle performer..

  1. Examples: Down Low and Near-Macro (A7R II)

Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon

Outstanding wide angle, superb performer..

  1. Aperture Series: Stand of White Aspen
  2. Shootout: Zeiss Loxia 25/2.4 vs Sony 24/1.4 GM: Beaver-Gnawed Log by Lichenized Boulder (Sony A7R III)

Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar

Manual focus normal lens for full-frame mirrorless..

  1. Aperture Series: Pine Creek Sunlit Morning (Sony A7R)
  2. Aperture Series: Understory Aspen (Sony A7R)
  3. Aperture Series: White Glacial Erratic (Sony A7R)

Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 Distagon

Autofocus extreme wide angle for Sony full-frame mirrorless..

  1. Aperture Series: Waterworn Rocks, Downstream Low Viewpoint

Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2

All-around slightly wide angle/normal with close focus..

  1. Examples, handheld: Bishop Creek, Dusk
  2. Aperture Series: Creekside Aspen at Dusk
  3. Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 CF: Conclusions and Thoughts

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Sonnar

Autofocus portrait lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless..

  1. Lens Rendering Series: Aspen Trunks (Sony A7R)

Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 Distagon

Ultra wide angle lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..

  1. Aperture Series: Sharpness and Bokeh (Picnic Table, NEX-7)
  2. Examples: Initial (Sony NEX-7)

Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 Planar

Normal lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..

  1. Bokeh (Glassware, Sony NEX-7)

Sigma DP3 Merrill

75mm f/2.8 equivalent lens on APS-C sensor..

  1. Examples (DP3M, Tulips)
  2. Examples (DP3M, Around The Neighborhood)
  3. Aperture Series DP3 Merrill (Tulips)

Leica M11 Monochrom

Leica M 60-megapixel monochrome sensor..

  1. Examples: Neighborhood (M11 Monochrom)

Considerations in choosing a lens.

Focal lengths, color, weight and travel considerations. (relevant, but dated/old material).

  1. Analysis of 35mm Lens Choices

Leica 24mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Leica’s fast wide angle..

  1. 24/1.4 vs 24/3.8 and Zeiss 25/2 Distagon (M240, Barcroft Green Machine)

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (2010 FLE)

Leica’s superlative and most natural lens for the M..

  1. Aperture Series: 35/1.4 — Glacial Erratics (M240)
  2. Examples: Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (Yosemite)
  3. Compared: vs Zeiss ZM 35/2 and Sony 35/2.8 (Sony A7R, Red Barn)

Leica M 50mm Lenses

Six models to choose from..

  1. 50/2 APO vs Noctilux (M240, Orange-Bark Pine Tree)

Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH

World’s fastest 50mm full-frame lens..

  1. Examples: 50/0.95 Noctilux (Misc)

50/0.95 Noctilux Rendering Style

Understanding the Rendering Style of the Noctilux..

  1. Aperture Series: Green Aspen Trunk (M240)

Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

High performance but flawed 50mm normal lens..

  1. Bokeh (M240)
  2. Color Bokeh (Secondary Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration, Dolls)

Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron-M

Leica’s compact low-distortion normal lens..

  1. Examples: 50/2 Summicron-M (Variety)

Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux-M ASPH

Leica’s ultra high grade and ultra fast modern short telephoto..

  1. Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux-M ASPH, Introduction

Leica 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

Leica’s medium tele for Leica M..

  1. 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
  2. Examples: Alpine Creek (M9
  3. Aperture Series: Persimmon Tree Trunk (M11)
  4. Aperture Series: Pumpkins (M11)

Leica 75mm f/2.4 (2.5) Summarit-M

Leica’s budget 75mm medium telephoto..

  1. Bokeh for Defocused Background Point Sources
  2. Veiling Flare + Bokeh, Barn Interior (M240)
  3. Aperture Series: Mining Supplies Wagon (M240)

Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R ASPH

Compact lens for portraiture or similar..

  1. Aperture Series: Barcroft Weather Box (M240)
  2. Shootout vs 90/4 Macro and SL 24-90mm: Cerro Gordo Mining Museum

Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon

Fast and ultra high performance moderate wide angle rangefinder lens..

  1. Aperture Series: Big Leaf Maple (M240)
  2. Aperture Series: Fading Maple Leaves In Backlit Creek (M240)
  3. Aperture Series: Granite Glacial Polish to Cloud’s Rest (M240)
  4. 6-way Shootout: ZM 35/1.4 vs 35/2 and 35/2.8, Leica 35/1.4 and 35/2, Voigtlander 35/1.2 (Aspen Trunk, M240)
  5. Aperture Series: Animal Tracks near Snowy Creek, Lundy Canyon (Leica M10-R)

Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon on Leica SL

A star performer sets the standard on the SL..

  1. Aperture Series: Standing Bristlecones in Cloud-Shade (Leica SL)

Zeiss ZM 85mm f/4 Tele-Tessar

Compact high performance medium telephoto..

  1. Aperture Series: Olympic Bar (M240)

Voigtlander M Nokton 21mm f/1.4

Fast high performance wide angle..

  1. Examples: Neighborhood (M11 Monochrom)

Voigtlander M 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Aspherical

World-class performer for Leica M..

  1. Aperture Series: Big Laurel by Alpine Creek (M11)
  2. Aperture Series: Pumpkins on Picnic Table (M11)
  3. Aperture Series: Bare Branches Riparian Tree (M11)

Voigtlander M 50mm f/1.1

A slightly slower, but smaller and lighter alternative to the Noctilux, at 1/10 the price..

  1. Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 Examples


Blog posts, reverse chronological

2024

2024-03-26 Will the New Sigma FE 50/1.2 DG DN Art Outperform the Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-SL ASPH and Sony 50/1.2 GM?

2024-02-16 Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S: Bokeh Example with Crops

2023

2023-04-13 Rehashed Design: Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH II (2023 version)

2023-02-25 Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

2022

2022-09-15 Leica Upgrades Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH Physical Design

2022-04-27 Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II: Unprecedented Performance in a Mid-Range Zoom?

2022-04-08 Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: Sharp with Gorgeous bokeh, a Steal for Sony Mirrorless

2021

2021-10-30 Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro STM Aperture Series: Alpine Creek Riparian Canopy (Canon EOS R5)

2021-06-30 Sigma FE 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Examples: Backyard and Bokeh

2021-05-10 Sony GM Lenses: World-Class Performance, Why Look Elsewhere?

2021-05-02 Essay and Reader Comments: Sony A1 vs Fujifilm GFX100S: Real Achievable Capture Resolution, Effort Level, Enjoyment (UPDATED, v2)

2021-03-31 Sony FE 40mm f/2.5G Aperture Series: Three Oaks

2021-03-31 Sony FE 40mm f/2.5G Aperture Series: Peach Tree Blossoms

2021-03-16 Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM: “pinnacle of the G Master series, with the ultimate in resolution and bokeh”

2020

2020-09-25 In Depth Study: How Shutter Speed and Aperture Mangle Bokeh with Electronic First Curtain Shutter (vs electronic shutter and mechanical shutter)

2020-09-01 Sigma FE 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — Reviewing Soon

2020-01-07 Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is an outstanding lens with beautiful bokeh — $400 off today only

2019

2019-09-02 Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Aperture Series: Orange Flower

2019-02-10 Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L Aperture Series: Bokeh with Out-of-Focus Speculars (Canon EOS R)

2018

2018-10-22 Zeiss Batis 40mm f/4 CF: Bokeh Wide Open at f/2 Shows Nonagonal Shape of Lens Diaphragm

2018-09-30 Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM Aperture Series for Bokeh / Visual Impact: Aspen Trunks at Rock Creek

2018-09-25 Sigma’s Fast New Art Lenses, Plus What Looks to be a 'Killer' 70-200mm f/2.8 Zoom

2018-09-06 LensBaby Sol 45mm f/3.5

2018-08-24 Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

2018-07-13 Three Sigma for Sony 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Aperture Series: Closed Flower Seedheads, Yellow Flower, Crooked Pine

2018-06-22 Bokeh Shootout: Leica 90mm f/2.2 Thambar-M vs Nikon 105mm f/2 DC: Bird of Paradise

2018-05-25 Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

2017

2017-09-01 Voigtlander 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar Bokeh Series: Backlit Trees

2017-05-17 Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

2017-02-24 Sigma Announces 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art for Nikon and Canon DSLRs and Sigma sa

2017-02-24 Sigma Announces 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art for Nikon and Canon DSLRs and Sigma sa

2017-02-24 Sigma Announces 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art for Nikon and Canon DSLRs and Sigma sa

2017-02-14 Hasselblad XCD 90mm f/3.2: Unusual Bokeh for Out-of-Focus Blurs

2016

2016-09-17 Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M: Many Examples + Bokeh Aperture Series

2016-09-08 Zeiss Announces 3 Milvus Lenses for Nikon and Canon DSLRs

2016-07-11 NEW Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA for Sony Mirrorless

2015

2015-10-22 The Irrational Aim of f/1.4 Lenses

2015-10-21 Impressions of 4K Television

2015-09-17 King of Bokeh, well-controlled SLOCA?

2015-04-13 Making Sharp Images: Updated Bokeh Examples

2015-04-10 Leica 75mm f/2.4 Summarit-M: Bokeh for Defocused Point Sources

2015-04-09 Leica 75mm f/2.4 Summarit-M: Veiling Flare, and Bokeh

2015-03-23 Compared: Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 APD vs Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 (Mannequin and Glass Bottles)

2015-03-23 Compared: Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 APD vs Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2

2015-03-10 Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 APD (Bokeh)

2014

2014-11-28 Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar: Bokeh Series, In-Focus and Defocused

2014-11-08 Zeiss Loxia 50/2 Planar Aperture Series: Understory Aspen Bokeh

2014-05-13 My Most Important Publication: Making Sharp Images

2014-04-11 Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS Aperture Series, DeChambeau Sidelit Barn

2014-04-10 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 'Art' (for Canon, Nikon, etc)

2014-01-22 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 'Art' (for Canon, Nikon, etc)

2014-01-06 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 'Art' (for Canon, Nikon, etc)

2013

2013-12-07 Sony A7R: Aperture Series Redwood Stump, Cross-Eyed Bokeh

2013-11-14 Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS Aperture Series, DeChambeau Ranch House, D800E

2013-11-13 Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS Aperture Series, Cottonwood Stump, D800E

2013-10-28 Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar: Bokeh Study (Aspen at Dawn, Nikon D800E)

2013-08-31 Sony RX1R: Rendering Style

2013-07-31 Ricoh GR Bokeh, and Its Unusual Lens

2013-07-19 Fujifilm Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 Macro Aperture Series: Pot on Stove (Fujifilm X-E1)

2013-07-17 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH: Tuolumne River Aperture Series (Leica M Typ 240)

2013-07-13 Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar: Bristlecone Branches Bokeh (Nikon D800E)

2013-07-04 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH: Bokeh / Blur

2013-07-01 Ricoh GR Digital: More Examples and Bokeh

2013-05-31 Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 Distagon: Aperture Series Sharpness, Bokeh (Picnic Table, Sony NEX-7)

2013-05-16 Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 Planar: Bokeh (Glassware)

2013-05-11 Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 Planar: Examples

2013-03-20 Just Peachy

2013-02-27 Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar: Out of Focus Specular Bokeh

2013-02-27 Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar: Examples for Bokeh Evaluation

2013-02-10 Reader Comment: Fast Lenses Wide Open

2012

2012-11-02 Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II: Bokeh at f/2.8 Outdoors (Alpine Creek)

2012-10-30 Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II: Bokeh and Correcting Color Fringing

2012-09-05 Canon 85mm f/1.2L II As a Landscape Lens, Wide Open or Stopped Down? Five Aperture Series

2012-03-16 Reader Comments: Zeiss 15/2.8 Distagon

2011

2011-05-11 Reader Comments

2011-04-18 Bokeh Examples with Nikon D3x and Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon

2010

2010-12-13 Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar new examples

2010-09-26 Reviewed! Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

2010-09-18 Carl Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon bokeh (a few more)

2010-09-17 Carl Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon bokeh

2010-09-15 Nikon 85mm f/1.4G first impressions

2010-09-01 Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon for Nikon and Canon

2010-07-24 Aperture shape — is it circular? Does it matter for bokeh?

2010-05-30 The way it blurs (bokeh)

2010-05-11 Nikon 24mm f/1.4G focus shift and color bokeh page

2010-04-12 Carl Zeiss on “Depth of Field and Bokeh”

2009

2009-12-14 Two serious issues in Nikon 70-200/2.8G VR II

2009-05-09 Color bokeh — Canon 85/1.2L II

2007

2007-07-30 Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar

2007-07-08 Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar — best of the best

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