timtomgo's reviews

  • Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    contrasty, razor sharp, very fast AF considering the kind of lens
    expensive, not 1.2 :p

    There is nothing bad to say about. If there is a weakness it could be its relative lack of sharpness at 1.4 in the center COMPARED to the sigma and the canon. This is mostly because of CA's, once removed in post processing you almost wouldn't see the difference honnestly. The green CA can require some more attention. But again none of other manufacturers managed to hold this level of sharpness all across the frame.

    AF speed and accuracy allows it to use it for everything, this is a HUGE plus for me compare to the canon (awfully slow, just renounced to use it)

    The plastiky appearance is actually not that bad and is definitely not fragile.

    its younger sibbling the 1.8G is however a super cool cheap lens. i recommand it especially for indoor/studio shooters. it doesn't handle flare (at all). i would go for it if there was some benefit in AF speed like the canon (there is none and maybe even a tad slower) and i wasn't an outside shooter where the 1.4G handles every kind of lights through the lens without loosing contrast or showing flare. this is much appreciated. the 1.4 aperture also allows some more low lights situation and artistic fantasies.

    i tried the sigma which was impressive, if the focus accuracy was more reliable i would have keep it.

    All in all, this nikon is almost perfect, but also instead the 1.8G, an investment, and will keep a high value in the time.

    reviewed April 5th, 2013 (purchased for $1,667)

  • Sony 135mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* SAL-135F18Z

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    quite quick, accurate, amazing built, pictures out of this world, sharp, creammy fat bokeh
    heavyyyyy, and no instant manual focus, hunting sometimes

    get one, and forget 85mm if you like portraits... contrast burns your eyes at all aperture

    no optical weaknesses!

    http://www.thomas-leduc.artfolio.com/galleries/vipmodels-spring2014/592106

    reviewed May 14th, 2014

  • Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Planar T* SAL50F14Z

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    basically... everything
    light falloff, distortion a bit strong (over 2% field curvature but quite simple)

    you can't be wrong with this purchase. the autofocus is lightning fast on a99 and perfectly accurate 99.9% of the time.

    the homogeneity is exemplary in every regard, at every aperture.

    bokeh is "only" good but smoother than any other sony compatible 50mm options. expected for this kind of lens anyway. contrast is absolute even wide open with light source in the frame, the T* coating works wonderfully.

    built quality is close to perfection, only the filter attachment and the hood are plastic.

    drawbacks:
    rarely you can find some traces of flare but it doesn't affect the contrast.
    expensive? yeah... but actually the cheaper among its pears (canon 50f1.2L and nikon 58f1.4G).

    A winner to keep for infinite years...

    reviewed December 1st, 2013 (purchased for $1,700)