Heavy, But Beautiful! Leica 90-280mm F2.8-4 SL Review

This is a lens that has had me scratching my head. Leica is hitting the ball out of the park in so many ways with this lens, but they’re also making something a bit odd. The Leica 90-280mm f2.8-f4 SL is a heavy lens with great optics and beautiful image quality. And you also just… Continue reading Heavy, But Beautiful! Leica 90-280mm F2.8-4 SL Review

Which Lenses Hold Their Value Better, Zooms or Primes?

Let’s take a look at some of the data with regard to the latest trends in camera gear buying, trading, and selling. Specifically, we’ll take a look at what lenses hold on to their value better: primes or zooms. Previously, we compared two leading medium format mirrorless systems, whether mirrorless cameras depreciate faster than DSLRs,… Continue reading Which Lenses Hold Their Value Better, Zooms or Primes?

A Beautiful Blur. 3 Lenses With Nice Bokeh That’s Hard to Get

If you love bokeh like we do, you know that you’re all about fast aperture lenses. But did you also know that bokeh isn’t created equal? No, we’re not talking about the number of aperture blades. There are lenses with different designs that render unique bokeh. Yes, there are ways that you can get a… Continue reading A Beautiful Blur. 3 Lenses With Nice Bokeh That’s Hard to Get

Cloning lens elements using silicone and epoxy resin

I’ve been following the YouTube channel Breaking Taps for quite a long time. It’s a fun mix of science, engineering and technology covering physics and the occasional bit of chemistry with some just flat out cool experiments, crazy tech and fascinating slow motion in between – like that time when he made his own scanning… Continue reading Cloning lens elements using silicone and epoxy resin

Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is the world’s smallest 2x macro for full-frame

The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 macro will be available in Leica M, Sony E, Nikon Z and Canon R mounts. Venus Optics Venus Optics has announced the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO lens as the smallest 2x macro lens currently available for the full-frame market. What’s significant about the lens is that it’s a… Continue reading Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is the world’s smallest 2x macro for full-frame

Great Price, Feeble Edges: Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Review

Ultra-wide angle lenses tend to be both huge and expensive. But, Canon’s widest full-frame mirrorless prime is also one of the company’s most affordable lenses. Beat in price by only the $199 nifty fifty, the Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM sits at just $299. At under six ounces, it barely adds weight to the front… Continue reading Great Price, Feeble Edges: Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Review

The Most Unique Lens? Leica 16-18-21mm Tri-Elmar F4 Review

Wide angle lenses tend to be built with specificity in mind. They are rarely designed to be your main workhorse. When it comes to Leica brand lenses for M-mount, there aren’t many options for super wide-angle options. The Leica 16-18-21mm Tri-Elmar f4 lens offers three wide focal lengths in one compact design. You can compose… Continue reading The Most Unique Lens? Leica 16-18-21mm Tri-Elmar F4 Review

Good for Birds? Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM Review

If there are things in this world that make me scratch my head, it’s Canon’s RF lenses that aren’t in their L series. With that said, the Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM is an okay lens that could’ve been more. Granted, it’s also only $649. And for that price point, it’s offering a whole… Continue reading Good for Birds? Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM Review

Wonderful Darkroom Vibes! Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux Lens Review

Is there a more universal focal length than 50mm? I love being able to throw a 50mm lens onto my camera because I can use it for almost everything. When I first started photographing in the digital age, it’s the only focal length I owned for several years. It also seems to be one of… Continue reading Wonderful Darkroom Vibes! Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux Lens Review

How to Shoot Macro Photos with Regular Lenses and Extension Tubes

Macro photography works well with conventional lenses and inexpensive extension tubes. The combination achieves 0.3x to 0.5x magnification. Depth of field is much greater with these moderate magnifications than at the 1x magnification possible with macro lenses. I have superb 90mm and 105mm macro lenses which I use to photograph bees.  But often I want… Continue reading How to Shoot Macro Photos with Regular Lenses and Extension Tubes