sako's reviews

  • Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon T* 2/35

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Beautiful color, sharp, extremely well made, butter smooth focus.
    A little vignetting wide open on full frame but easily fixed in post processing.

    The SLRgear review of this lens says that it has a polycarbonate focusing ring. Well, they must have a one off because mine is metal and so is a friends. Easy to prove by tapping it with a metal object or handling it in freezing cold weather when it's necessary to wear gloves when using this and the other Zeiss lenses. A beautiful lens at a bargain price.

    reviewed October 29th, 2010 (purchased for $800)
  • Carl Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar T* 2/100

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Extremely sharp, beautiful color, outstanding bokeh, superb build quality, smooth focusing.
    Flimsy lens cap that is difficult to grip.

    Probably one of the sharpest lenses for DSLR available.
    Superb image quality at macro distances through to infinity.
    Small amount of CA at f/2 - completely gone by f/3.2 (on my sample at least).

    This is one lens you'll never regret buying.

    reviewed November 6th, 2010 (purchased for $1,700)
  • Nikon 200mm f/2G ED AF-S VR II Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Razor sharp. beautiful bokeh.
    Heavy

    This is not a lens that is easy to hand hold for any length of time. A good monopod is almost mandatory. I recommend renting one if you can, before you plonk down the considerable amount this lens costs.

    The slip on Nikon lens cover is awkward; better to buy a Lens Coat "hoodie" or similar. However, if you want one of the sharpest lenses available, (some say it's Nikon's sharpest) especially wide open and want beautiful, dreamy bokeh then this lens has it in spades.

    A highly recommended but specialized lens.

    reviewed June 22nd, 2011 (purchased for $6,000)
  • Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    A sharp lens wide open and an extremely sharp lens stopped down. Autofocus is fast and quite.
    Not weather sealed but that's of no importance to me.

    The build quality of this lens is very, very good with a Zeiss like feel to it. The focusing ring is large and quite smooth for an AF lens. The optics are quite astonishing and it's one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used and I have some good ones. It's looks great too, which can't hurt.
    Value for money it can't be beat. Sigma deserve all the accolades they get producing a lens of this quality at the price, in fact, even if it was double the price.

    reviewed March 15th, 2013 (purchased for $820)