rponiarski's reviews

  • Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 ASPH LUMIX G

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Tiny and fast, a no brainer of a landscape lens
    No lens hood included.

    This is a really nice lens for the micro 4/3 system. It is small, light and makes even my E-P2 nearly pocketable. Image quality is very good, focus is fast and at f2.5 it beats just about any wide angle zoom. Highly recommended.

    reviewed November 5th, 2012 (purchased for $178)

  • Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* SEL2470Z

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Solid construction, great contrast and colors
    A bit pricey

    Everyone panned this lens and I did not know what to think, but after seeing the quality of the Sony/Zeiss 55mm, I took a chance and bought this lens as my walk around lens for my A7m2.

    All in all, it is a great lens. Yes, $1200 is a lot for an f4 zoom lens, but it has typical Sony/Zeiss quality. The micro-contrast and colors are excellent, it is sharp from f4 in the center with just a little softness on the edges, which is really only of interest in pixel peepers. For street photos and general landscapes, this is an excellent lens, well made and feels like it is a quality piece, which it is. Flare is handled very well and the OSS works really well.

    Highly recommended!

    reviewed March 16th, 2015 (purchased for $1,200)

  • Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, bright and solid lens
    Lens hood is a bit flimsy, wish there was some sort of electrical connection like the Nikon version of this lens so that it will be showed in the EXIF data

    Bought this lens for my Sony A7m2 full frame mirrorless camera to get a bit more range than my 24-70mm zoom. This fits the bill as it is still compact, while giving me the bit more reach I wanted. Not up in quality to the Sony/Zeiss lenses, but for the money it can't be beat.

    reviewed January 20th, 2015 (purchased for $300)

  • Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* SEL55F18Z

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Awesome photos, fast autofocus, built to last
    pricey

    Had to have the A7 and wanted a fast prime to go along with my kit zoom. It was either the 35mm f2.8 or this one, and I liked the extra speed. It is exceedingly well built, with fast autofocus and the photos it takes are amazing. Sharp, contrasty and some of the best I have ever taken. Great street lens, as well as useful indoors. Now I understand why these Sony Zeiss lenses are so prized. Have to see what the 24-70mm zoom looks like, as that may be the perfect walk about lens for me...

    reviewed January 18th, 2014 (purchased for $1,098)

  • Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 ASPH LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Very sharp Good contrast and colors Excellent build Can accept screw on filters
    Expensive

    Bought this lens to get a slightly wider view than my 12-60mm lens. Very pleased as it can be used as a slightly wide normal lens, making it very versatile. May have some slight edge softness, but nothing major. Highly recommended.

    reviewed May 25th, 2018 (purchased for $1,098)

  • Panasonic 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH POWER OIS LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Great build quality. Very sharp and contrast is excellent. Light and easy to use on any m4/3 body.
    Expensive.

    This is the lens that is on my camera about 90% of the time. I like the zoom range and don't mind the variable aperture, as I usually shoot between f4 and f6.3 anyway. Nice and sharp with excellent color and image quality. Highly recommended.

    reviewed May 25th, 2018 (purchased for $1,000)