[nextpage title=”Introduction”] Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L (Mark 1) v Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 AFS [Published March 2006] Over here, Nikonians; over there, Canonites – and ne’er the twain meet. Team Nikon loves its 17-35 and Camp Canon loves its 16-35. Each claims the superiority of its champion but rarely are they tested head to head. Nikon-EOS …
[nextpage title=”Introduction”] Nikon 15mm f3.5 AIS v Sigma 12-24mm f3.5-4.5 [published may 2006] As King Solomon advised: “Don’t say: ‘Why were the olden days so much better than these?’ It is not due to wisdom that you have asked this.” Proverbs were so much better then. Yet for Nikon users it’s true: in many cases …
If you’ve read the previous 85mm test, you won’t be surprised to hear that the Zeiss ZF 85mm f1.4 was returned to the dealer: weak close range performance and a painfully tight focusing ring were cited as reason enough for dissatisfaction. Fast forward one month, and the Mark I Canon 85mm f1.2 L has been …
[nextpage title=”Introduction”] Zeiss ZF 85mm f1.4 vs Canon 85mm f1.2 L (Mark 1) [published september 2006] Preliminary to the main 85mm group test, here are some first impressions of the new Zeiss ZF 85mm f1.4. Shortly, we’ll be testing it in a Nikon mount against the mighty Canon 85mm f1.2 L and Nikon’s highly regarded …
[nextpage title=”Introduction”] Zeiss CF 25mm f2.8 v Nikon 24mm f2 AIS [published from flickr tests, november 2006] Special thanks go to Frank Fremerey who conducted this test on a Nikon D2X using a pre-production test sample number 000009 from Zeiss in Germany. Final production models may of course perform slightly differently. Further images may be …
[nextpage title=”Introduction”] adapted contax N 17-35mm f2.8 v Nikon AF-S 17-35mm f2.8 [published in two parts, january 2007] For many years Canon users have sought out Zeiss and Leica lenses for optimal full frame performance. They’ve bought, sanded down, measured and modified adaptors; they’ve hacked bits out of their cameras and dremelled bits off their …
[nextpage title=”Introduction (f2.8)”] Zeiss 25mm f2.8 ZF v Canon 24mm f1.4 L Mark 1 [published january 2007] Arriving a little late for the big 24mm tournament last year, the Zeiss ZF 25mm was nonetheless chosen to participate in a special play off against the winner of that review: the Canon 24mm f1.4 L. The Distagon …
[nextpage title=”Introduction”] Contax zeiss 21mm f2.8 Distagon v Canon 24mm f1.4 L Mark 1 [published february 2007] Whatever the reason for which Canon’s 24mm L languishes under a cloud of general dissatisfaction, the sole sample we’ve put through its paces has proven to be an outstanding performer, sweeping all before it in the 24mm World …
[nextpage title=”Introduction”] Canon 17-40mm f4 v Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 v Zeiss 21mm f2.8 Distagon [published march 2007] The first time I tested a lens purposefully was in 2001. I’d bought a Canon 17-40mm f4 L for the 1Ds Mark I and couldn’t believe the results I was getting – in a bad way. The incredulous …
[nextpage title=”Introduction”] Canon 16-35mm f2.8 II v Leica 19mm f2.8 v Olympus 18mm f3.5 [published may 2007] I had two questions in mind when preparing this test: first, can the new Mark II Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L cut the mustard where no mustard has previously been cut by Canon? And second, what is the best …