The Truth About the $120 TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 Lens: Review and Test

[@GregJones-v1b]

Respectively, if you get good results when stationary and poor when moving, it's probably not the lens. I have this lens on my Canon R-10. If you don't use a manual lens on a mirrorless, note that unlike the old SLR, you don't preview wide open , stopping down for the shot. With the DSLRs you focus at full resolution of the lens, unlike mirrorless with an electronic view finder. So I also use the magnification function (10x on on of the programmable buttons) when focusing. Manual focus on a mirrorless IMO is harder than on a DSLR for this reason. 50mm on a crop sensor is equal to about 80mm on a full frame. I don't do much street photography but understanding is a common full frame lens is 35mm so 24mm on a crop sensor, what would be much more forgiving, again my opinion. I use and like the TTArtisan 50mm F/1.2 (and 10mm f/2) but use them more when I can set the shot, that is setup: still lifes, portraits etc. If a street scene with moving components, I would set it up, then wait for for the moving component to get into position... not really what I think street photography is about. For me it's been a great lens and plenty sharp for anything I would use it for. The 50mm has been my go-to for portraits but will be sharing duties with a new 65mm for a while anyway. 7 out of 10 times I use this lens the camera is on a tripod. This is not due to the lens but the shot/subject. If I had to shoot moving subjects I would set the viewfinder magnification area to where I wanted the subject and keep the mag on, focusing that way while tracking the subject... not ideal but has worked for me on a few occasions.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Thank you for your detailed insight. Highly appreciated

[@anthonydyke8273]

Used on my xt30 but I only shoot black and white with it with focus peaking. Results are fantastic for such a budget lens .

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

What I really noticed the most was in bright and low light is that the focus was often off with quite bad fringing (especially in bokeh balls and highlights) at times. Problem is that it is not consistent same for the highlights. Not a pixel peeper but I found that strange, as I have not experienced it before with ttArtisan lenses.

[@Noahphotography-n9l]

This lens is a real gem! Great for portraits. The focal length is ideal for close shots. Aperture adjustment is a breeze and works well with indoor light. It's got some heft to it, which I love. Hands down the best manual lens I own. The metal body is so solid. The focusing and aperture rings are nice and smooth. And the image quality? Awesome! Sharp even at f1.2.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@perigee1275]

In other words it has all the same problems that an expensive portrait lens has.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Hahaha well said

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Exception being the sigma 56mm f/1.4 (APs-c) or Sony 85mm f/1.8 :)

[@jmac_photo]

Spot on Paul- great review. I want to like this lens but consistency is an issue. On my Sony a7ll it's not as sharp and has less contrast than my Jupiter-8 (random comparison) but minus the weather sealing, it does have excellent build quality and when its behaving, lovely rendering. Just ordered the TTArtisan M 50mm F1.4 ASPH. in the M mount for my M3 as I have heard the 1.4 is a more mature, well crafted 50 that is making waves with the bigger more $$ names.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

The M Mount is the perfect hybrid system between digital and film. And indeed glass is a bit pricey. It think TT & 7 Artisan are great companies that produce affordable glass for the masses. Sometimes the consistency in performance of some of their lenses can be better, but for the price they are almost always bargains

[@philipcook6191]

Thanks for the post. Look its a fun lens and its a great way for poor or startup photographers to experience 1.2 and 2.8 and to play around with the in between stops. I got one and its been fun. Yes focus is an issue because its an optic around 75 and at 1.2 -2.8 and over it is difficult to focus stop on. But when it does its super joy. I'm enjoying the lens and dont have sleepless nights not been able to get the 56mm 1.2 fuji just right now. Its a lens one plays around with. If there are winner images its a bonus. I love it.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Great way of putting it 👍👍⭐⭐⭐

[@jedunboxing4127]

im guessing its better that their 0.95 50mm lens , from what I see the 0.95 is very soft in the corners,plus this is much cheaper

[@TK421-53]

Lovely little lens, joy to use.

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video. Just use it on f/1.8 and preset focus on lens barrel 😊.

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Excellent. Zone focus is still a project in the works

[@HilkanaCastro]

Do you thing the 50mm f2 is better? Also hay way it’s easier to focus

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

I think for the price point it comes with a issues. But I'll prefer the f/2.0 as it far more practical max apperture for shooting

[@simval84]

I have both in M43. Maybe it's poor quality control, but my 50mm f1.2 is surprisingly sharp even wide open, my 50mm f2.0 is quite soft at f2.0 to f4.0. The main arguments in favor of the 50 mm f2.0 are that it's a full-frame lens and it's quite compact, but it comes at a cost of optical performance, especially when used on APS-C/M43.

[@gregsmith6373]

Thank you for the video, helped me a lot

[@PaulTakesPhotos]

Great to hear

[@winheiMR]

Ich benutze jene Linse an der OM-1 und bin durchaus sehr zufrieden, habe noch das Sigma 56mm f1.4 und das Lumix 42.5 mm f1.7, alles recht ähnliche Ergebnisse, f1.2 ist aber definitiv offen sehr weich und soft, wenn das Motiv passt 👍📷

[@dfpguitar]

Closest Helios i can find is f2.0 is 58mm

[@dandanu2526]

Great lens ,with great sharpness and bokeh.