Leica 28mm Summicron vs TTArtisan 28mm f/5.6

[@AdamAllen]

The TT renders a look that matches it's vintage design and that brings me in. Very cool.

[@mwales2112]

I have been shooting with the TT 28 for about a month now and have to say I am very happy with the images I have taken with it. I was aware of the flare issues with it going in and don't put it in those situations when possible. I also don't have any Leica glass to compare it with, but over all it's a keeper and I enjoy using it. Thanks Benj I've been looking forward to this review...

[@joe_tographer]

Am I crazy for liking the TTart better? Lol

[@zairrewright9385]

Not at all, I’m a big fan of their 35 1.4 and usually choose it over the summicron

[@REMY.C.]

You need to consult 😂 It's all about personal preference I guess. You should try those lenses if you can rent.

[@FrankDavalos]

I like it better too man! Contrast can always be added to taste I guess. Obviously the Summicron is a beauty though

[@Hitchelfitkyle]

Same! I had to visit the comments to make sure I wasn’t out of my mind.

[@joe_tographer]

@@Hitchelfitkyle I bought it and use it mounted on my Fuji, it is fantastic though I will say it doesn't look as good mounted on a full frame imo

[@zguy95135]

It would be nice to see some at different apertures too, the coatings on the 7artisans/TTartisans lenses aren't exactly a highlight. Plus one is being shot wide open and the other stopped down quite a bit. Im curious what they would look like at f8 or f11.

[@hiramabiff885]

Thanks for a great review. My 28 f5.6 is on the way. For under $300. I'll fix contrast in post. I shoot only DNG so everything I do is done in post processing.

[@Caballeroshot]

The fact a 300 lens can render images at this level in such a high end camera is the true test of this len's sharpness. I'm getting it to shoot film, I'm sure it will be amazing for street.

[@ArminHirmer]

Interesting. First I thought the TT is the right one, way to contrasty and this nasty flair :D so I have to admit in almost all photos, I liked the TT more :) thanks for doing this comparison

[@GastonShutters]

Do you feel that the TTartisan retains better details n the shadows than the Summicron? I kind of like that vintage look way better than the much more clinical look of the Summicron. I can always add contrast in post. I was thinking about going for the Leica one but used it's around $2500 vs $350 ish for the TT Artisan

[@obscur_yoann]

For such high contrast landscapes, I prefer the less contrasty TTa... Looks more pleasing to me.

[@m66096]

i think the lower contrast has to deal with the lower fleare resistance of the TTartisans lens especially at the wider aperture. I'm pretty sure the render would definitely improve with the hood

[@obscur_yoann]

@@m66096 Probably better with the hood, I agree. But here, lots of the pictures are with the lens pointing directly at the sun, so no hood can help in that scenario, I'm afraid.

[@donjagoe]

Using the TTArtisan with an M246 Monochrom and they are really great together. Good review, as always.

[@DannyChau7]

Love the film feel of the TT over Summaron all the way, great comparison. 👍

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

thanks for the review! I love the summicron but don’t like the size, and I use summaron 28mm at the moment 😍

[@MlKEJ]

Thanks for the time and effort it took to make such a detailed and knowledgeable comparison video. It was a fun watch. I just purchased the TT and plan to use it to make more filmic photos. Again, thanks for great video. Much appreciated

[@hitthestreetsphoto1253]

Enjoyed the video. Shooting in brightest sun can bring out some interesting problems to work against. The debris flare can be corrected with cleaning the lens of all micro-debris. Even a quick blast of your pocket blower can help.

[@erichung9043]

Thanks for the review. I am pulling the trigger on a black brass TT Artisan just because I want to see some brassing, haha. This would be my 28mm in a pinch. The low contrast and corner sharpness are not really showstoppers. But then you are comparing the Summicron not the Summaron with a vintage optical formula. I don't see myself spending three grands for an equally slow Leica especially I already have the Zeiss 28mm Biogon, which is an amazing lens when it comes to contrast, flare resistance and corner to corner sharpness. For that Leica price, I would rather get a 50 Summicron.

[@owensagness43]

Just bought the TT Artisan lens. As someone who shoots this type of lens almost exclusively using hyperfocal, beware - the DOF scale on the lens is completely wrong. If you are shooting at f11, use the markings for f8. I could not understand why all my shots were soft until I figured this out. Seems like they just copied the markings from a Leica lens without calibrating to their own focus ring.

[@danfarmer_photo]

Awesome! Use the contrast slider and save $5000 😉

[@gregorypease213]

Interesting comparison. Though overall, I preferred the punchier images from the Summicron, there are a couple things about the TTArtisan lens that make it appealing. For instance, looking at the zoomed in image of the stop sign, the TTArtisan renders so much more texture in the reds, where the Summicron delivers something rather monotone. A surprising result. My guess is that it would be fairly easy to make the TTArtisan image look closer to the Leitz one in this instance, and much harder to go the other way round. But, I also think the TTArtisans images, overall, require more work in post, whilst the Summicron images seem closer to "finished" right out of the camera.

[@IDaumI]

I like the vintage look of the TTartisans but also wonder if the contrast would improve with the provided hood. The summicron has one but not sure how effective it is.

[@MightiestBeard]

Pretty much universally preferred the TTArtisan at least in your examples. Only thing that looks a bit cleaner on the Summicron to me is the starburst on the direct sun.

[@rosetta-stxned]

and that's only because the TT wasn't stopped down at all. It was wide open. I'm sure stopped down it would star well

[@innstikk]

I must say I prefer the TTartisan here, especially as one can edit the photos in post if/when needed. The Summicron seemed way contrasty

[@nickeanderssonphoto3936]

Clearly a difference, as aspected. But fun to watch! Where would you place the 28 Ultron ii compared to these? I'm looking at that one right now and guessing it's more towards the Summicron. But as often with these, you can't really go wrong with any of them.

[@thieuquang]

Great video!!! BTW I really like the grip of your black M10. Can you pls give me the brand/ link of it? Many thanks!

[@ccoppola82]

The TT artisan might be nice on BW film. Might be worth a look but I’m not giving up my 28 Summicron anytime soon :)

[@nicolasgajardohenriquez2190]

Very good Video, I have the TTartisans and I use it on film, I like it very much and the foggy flare is very present when you shoot against the sun, but is kind of pleasing sometimes.

[@UKBROOKLYN]

Would like to see what a hood on the TTArtisans lens would do. Looks very much like veiling flare..

[@xulab]

i have the TT, the hood does help, but not enough to bring the overall contrast down to summicron level. funny i would never "complain" of the TT performance if it wasn't side by side with a summicron.

[@_parkphoto]

DUDE. Kamerakraft grips? Soooo sick.

[@FrankDavalos]

You should make the same comparison on film and only film! I’d be very curious. I laughed hard when I first held my TTArtisan in my hands… I thought it was the lens back 😂

[@williamsingman1489]

Good comparison video. Impressive for inexpensive optics. I like a vintage look and was toying with the idea of getting a summaron 28mm for my rangefinder. But at the end of the day, I think I’ll just have to be content using my Q2 and leave the vintage look to photoshop.

[@jklphoto]

Did I miss you upgrading to M11(s) Benj?

[@benjhaisch]

Nope, as much as I’d love to, the funds just aren’t there for a pair of them :(

[@tonywhitmarsh]

Really enjoyed the video man, clearly the Leica is more contrasty and has more of a punch in color especially in the reds. But I gotta say I really like the TT’s “character” in these examples, even though its suggestive. I like both honestly and would be happy with either. I’d probably lean towards the Leica if I were in a job scenario whereas the TT I’d probably pick up for fun or because I was going for a specific look. Appreciate your work man, keep the hustle up!

[@gabesgodinez2233]

Came for the video stayed for the music lol love it (both) could you tell me what song this is

[@Flying4Film]

Seems like the TT would be good for those shooting bw film who like to add contrast in post on the computer or in the darkroom.

[@LCBear]

the black version of TT might be better because of the internal black coating

[@LukasJSmith]

Love, love, love these style videos! Also what grips are you using? Dead keen to pick up a wooden grip for my m10!

[@barelyanything]

Kamerakraft LMGRIP

[@LukasJSmith]

@@barelyanything thank youuuuuu!

[@taehanyoun8126]

When compared to original summaron, rendering of ttartisan looks so modern and that's the reason I didn't pre-ordered it. But in this video compared to modern leica... ttartisan looks like proper vintage glass. Feel like buying one right now

[@Alexander-fk7um]

what grip are you using on ur camera

[@benjhaisch]

KameraKraft for one and an independant maker for the other

[@lensman5762]

The Chinese lens has an old look about it, and I do like that look. Many of my old folding cameras exhibit this rather halo like rendering which is an absolute god's gift for a film photographer with lifting the shadows and all that. The difference is in the coatings.

[@Jakejackson1980]

Contrast on the tt artisan lens is way better but I reckon bw shots on the leica lens would be amazing

[@ByAdrielSniper]

I actually prefer the ttartisan look

[@xagikneex]

Me too actually. The Leica coating is similar to the modern zeiss coatings and is boosts the contrast too much. I have the TTA and it does really well on BW film

[@FFVoyager]

I do too, the Summicron looks a bit 'over processed' out of camera!

[@boxoweasels]

Surprised to say I liked most of the TTartisan shots better.

[@slee4079]

Very well made review, thanks!

[@benjhaisch]

Much appreciated!

[@FFVoyager]

I'd love to see you do something similar using the Summaron 28 f/5.6 with the TTArtisan rather than the Summicron as, other than the focal length they really are different lenses. I think that would be extremely revealing. (There are a bunch of DJ Optical lenses to compare with Leica versions - all of which would be very interesting to hear your judgement on.)

[@BuzzLiteBeer]

Kinda convinced me not to get the TTartisan. Love the size, price and design, but the haze is horrendous.

[@gewglesux]

Summilux guy here.. Almost picked up the Cron.. times that i wish i did...

[@alexanderkraus8112]

I really wonder if the low contrast of the TTArtisan is just the consquence of all these golden and glossy brass parts at the back side of the lens. These parts should be blackened in order to prevent light from bouncing back from the sensor glass to the brass parts and back to the sensor! These parts should be blackened (brass blackener)! I bet after that the conrast will be much better!

[@benjhaisch]

I just got the black version and will try to remember to test that!

[@alexanderkraus8112]

@@benjhaisch On the pics I found in the web it seems that even the lens mount has now been blackened. Maybe the back parts too? I couldn't find any pictures showing the back of the black version. Please let us know if you observe an improvement in contrast in case all back parts are black. I'm considering buying the TTArtisan 28mm for my Sony A cameras because of its compactness. But I also still have an analogue Leica M which don't use any more. I'm still not sure how good the TTArtisan perfroms with the Sony A7 sensors, though. There are unfortunately very few high resolution images taken with Sony cameras to find in the web.

[@alexanderkraus8112]

Hi Benj, I got my silver copy of this lens today for main use on my Sony A9. The first thing I did was to take a permanent marker and paint the shiny rear brass parts black! 🙂 It took some test shots and uploaded them on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/alexander_kraus/albums/72177720300929285. I think the overall contrast especially in back light situations and also the flare resistance have been considerably improved! Maybe you want to take a look and let me know what you think? Do you see any differences between your silver and black copies?

[@benjhaisch]

@@alexanderkraus8112 I’m working on the video comparing the two right now and the results are wild. Going to do a tiny bit more testing to check on a hypothesis or 3 ;)

[@benjhaisch]

@@alexanderkraus8112 which adapter are you using?

[@TheVFXbyArt]

28 summicron review please!

[@hgrgrnd1206]

I prefer the TT artisan images. Also colors are more neutral. For Sharpness, shot at f8 or 11 the differences would be more similar than not.

[@mrqciek]

Hello Benj. I was waiting for this test. It's a pity you didn't make this comparison at f8 or f11. F5.6 it is known that the TTartisan will have vignettes and slightly soft corners because this is its starting aperture. It's nice that it has such a vintage look and does not have so much contrast - it will be better for black and white photos :) from these samples I like the photos from TT even more

[@peterebel7899]

Why not comparing to the real competitor Summaron?

[@benjhaisch]

If only I had a library of every possible lens available…

[@peterebel7899]

@@benjhaisch Ask your local Leica dealer for a loaner for the video.

[@benjhaisch]

@peterebel7899 I don’t believe they let you take them out of state for a week at a time on a small loan basis

[@peterebel7899]

@@benjhaisch We have a saying in our language: Asking doesn't cost anything Alternative: Ask B&H, KEH, ... You do have 50+k subscribers, this is more than nothing on your side 🙂

[@benjhaisch]

I think you vastly underestimate how many times I’ve been rejected by Leica specifically 🫠

[@B-water]

i guess the ttartisan contrast can be adjusted by photoshop easily while you can't do it the other way round.

[@StuartWeir]

So far I think the only Leica lens I’ve seen _not_ have flaring issues is the 28mm Elmarit. Otherwise Zeiss and Voigtlander are just better in this regard (sorry not sorry to those are Leica Lens fans). It’s why the only Leica lens I own is the Elmarit and it will probably stay that way.

[@erichung9043]

Indeed, the Zeiss 28mm Biogon is amazing in terms of contrast, flare resistance, and corner-to-corner sharpeness. It 's also small but still not as small as this TT Artisan all things considered.

[@TheGanntak]

I genuinely thought the images on the left were the Leica lol. I prefer the TT Artisan look myself.

[@toulcaz31]

Comparing with a hood on both lenses would have been nice

[@benjhaisch]

As I mentioned in another comment, the hood wouldn’t have done anything for the majority of the shots as the sun was directly in frame

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Very nice video! TT-a wins in all ways. I do not like the cosmetic, oversharpened look of most modern lenses. / Ulf

[@blende5.693]

Nice video, but the china lenses are not my. bad lens correction, medium sharpness, unreal colors, … I prefer Leica, Zeiss and Voigtländer

[@kostyafedot551]

Waste of money on both, IMO. Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II VM is golden.

[@freddyfingers3]

I’d buy the tt

[@erichstocker8358]

Come on. You are comparing an over $2000 dollar lens with asph components against a $300 lens without those. Who would do something stupid like that. It is basically a summaron knockoff. So, compare it against that lens. Also shooting into the sun where the glare/flare is going to wash out everything in the ttartisan lens with the much, much, much, much better corrections of the summicron is ridiculous. This was obviously just an attempt to make a video with no purpose or sense. Comparing a rotten apple against a fresh persimmon provides ABSOLUTELY NO useful information.

[@Renzsu]

The Leica was stopped down, so you'd expect a bit more sunstars and less vignetting, but I have to say the TTArtisan is performing really quite well for a lens that is open. At the same aperture, it does seem to have a bit shallower dof. In the shot of the snow with the peaks in the background, I actually prefer the TTArtisan, as the rim of the snow is nice and smooth, vs. kinda busy on the Summicron (because of the stopped down bokeh).

[@Baronic]

Does noone know the existence of cheap leica thread mount lenses that would blow tbe ttartisan out of the water? For 500 bucks I can get a mint 28mm f2.8 pancake lens that is genuine vintage from 1960s. Our if I'm poorer, 300 for the 28mm f3.5. Both faster and more pancakey than the ttartisans

[@weisserth]

Not really a good comparison. They're completely different lenses. The TTArtisan lens is supposed to copy a different, similar lens from Leica with f/5.6 and design.

[@d30gaijin]

Stupid comparison. Why can't someone please compare the 28mm f/5.6 Summaron to the TT Artisan 28mm f/5.6. Some one with you connections/audience should be able get a sample of each to compare... maybe?

[@benjhaisch]

If you’d like to provide the contacts for someone to allow me to borrow the Summaron, please feel free. My direct contacts at Leica have not responded and the other retailers I have relationships with didn’t have one in stock. I found it to be a very interesting comparison myself ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@marcp.1752]

Hi Benji, as much as i do like your videos, please _stop_ telling things like the TTA 28/5.6 is a clone of the Leica Summicron 28/5.6 II, because _it is not_ check the Lens diagrams and MTF, before posting content like that - no offense. Peace. /update - you haven't used a Lens hood for the TTA 28/5.6 Lens. TTAritisan delivers this lens _only_ with the matching Lens hood, but i do know, a lot of YT'bers received _only_ the Lens, without the hood - so 1:1 comparsions aren't fair 100%. Leica with Hood, TTA without it.

[@benjhaisch]

I actually specifically mentioned that it’s a design clone but not an optical clone as I’m aware of the differences :) And yes, I have the hood, but it wouldn’t have helped in these scenarios anyway as the sun was *in* the frame anyway.

[@benjhaisch]

So my takeaway is that I’ll be sure to be more clear about this as I made a point to mention it, but it seems it wasn’t firm enough

[@mathiash5000]

@@benjhaisch I heard you loud and clear, I'm not sure what he's on about. Thanks for the video!

[@ChangshaNotes]

@@benjhaisch You were very clear on it. No need to change how firm you are.

[@oliverlison]

It is a copy designwise and therefore it should be taken off the market. It is not to support. Would your wear fake Nike shoes? Propably not. TTFart traitor-crap.