Nikon’s strategy with their F1.8 S-Line (Superior) is definitely unconventional. Most brands reserve their higher end designs for maximum apertures of F1.4 or F1.2, but Nikon developed a unique lineup of high-end lenses with a maximum aperture of F1.8. The…
All of Nikon’s Z-mount F1.2 S lenses are extreme instruments. They are big, heavy, and expensive…not for the faint of heart. I’ve worked my way through out all of them and the 135mm F1.8 Plena to boot. The Nikkor Z…
Sigma has pretty much had the (reasonably priced) compact standard zoom market to themselves in the APS-C space since 2021 when they released the 18-50mm F2.8 DN, a lens I liked and have owned for years. But there was room…
In 2024 Viltrox released their tiny little 28mm F4.5 “Chip” lens. It was about the thickness of a lens cap and, with the right camera, made for a pocketable experience. TTArtisan has adapted the same formula in their new little…
The APS-C space has had a complete dearth of fast (bright) telephoto zoom lenses. There are plenty of slow, variable aperture zooms (typically in the range of F4-F5.6 or F6.3), but F2.8 zooms over 100mm? There has been one across…
It was basically a year ago that I reviewed the Laowa AF 180mm F4.5 1.5x Macro, which was the first of their hybrid autofocus/manual lenses. In the macro range, it was a manual focus lens with a traditional focus ring…
Several months ago Viltrox released the extremely popular full-frame 26mm F2.8 pancake lens (my review here). It was that lens that I was most reminded of while reviewing the new 7Artisans AF 18mm F2. This is essentially an APS-C version…
In August of 2026 I had never seen an 85mm F1.2 lens on Sony E-mount, but here in the middle of September 2026 I am testing not my first but second 85mm F1.2 lens available for E-mount (though I’m testing…
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard people request high performing telephoto prime lenses with smaller maximum apertures, smaller size, and smaller prices. Traditionally there has been a huge gap between telephoto zooms (typically costing $1000-3000) and the…
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard people request high performing telephoto prime lenses with smaller maximum apertures, smaller size, and smaller prices. Traditionally there has been a huge gap between telephoto zooms (typically costing $1000-3000) and the…
The Bluetti Elite 100 Mini blends deep storage capacity (1004.8Wh) with a reasonable inverter (700W) in a unique, upright footprint that is 15% smaller and 7% lighter than Elite 100 V2. The Elite 100 V2 shares the storage capacity but…
Sigma’s newest lens reminds me of a lot of classic lenses from “back in the day”. No frills, but an exceptionally useful zoom range, useful maximum aperture, and a compact body that is easy to take everywhere. Fujifilm shooters have…
Sony’s E-mount launched in 2010 for APS-C NEX cameras, and then expanded to support the a7 and a7R full frame cameras in 2013, and since that point, many armchair professionals on message boards and YouTube have pontificated on its limitations. …
I did a review of the 7Artisans AF 135mm F1.8 just a few months ago. Little did I know at the time that it was the first of a new series of lenses that 7Artisans calls their MAX series. The…
I’ve spent years reviewing camera gear, lenses, and accessories, but travel itself is a constant companion in this work. Long flights, multiple connections, and the inevitable luggage carousel scramble mean that the suitcase you choose matters almost as much as…