TTArtisan 21mm F1.5 ASPH Review | 4K

[@acouragefann]

I feel that even with its poor performance in quite a few metrics, making this perhaps not ideal for photography, this could be a good lens for indie filmmakers or people shooting fx music videos on the RF platform, especially on a gimbal - the 1.5 aperture can be a huge boon when shooting scenes in low light surroundings, and the vignette is at least still liftable and not too uneven. The low amount of lateral CA is very welcome there too. Thank you for so thoroughly reviewing lenses from all ends of the budget spectrum, your insights really are of great value.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I agree with your premise here.

[@ongxa9346]

I am using the TTArtisan f/1.5 ASPH with a Leica SL2s and I'm loving this lens.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That’s great.

[@ianharper6015]

Thanks, Justin, for another comprehensive and useful review. I'm a bit of a fan for the current crop of, all manual, Chinese glass. Whilst the lenses that I have are a bit soft at f1.4, I've found that Topaz Sharp AI can produce a marked improvement in detail and clarity compared with Lightroom. I'd be interested to know if you have had a similar experience. With the rising cost (and variable quality) of analogue glass on eBay and the expanding choice of Chinese lenses, it is making these lenses a really useful option. I'm a M43 user and it's good to see the appearance of the TTArtisans 17mm f1.4 at last. Thanks again. Ian

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Ian, in many cases these inexpensive Chinese lenses tend to improve on vintage glass in many ways while retaining a lot of their charm.

[@lsaideOK]

You are very generous to say this may be a good lens for some people.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Different people value different things, and I think you'll find that there will be fans of this lens...particularly among those who are "budget-constrained". Designing wide aperture, wide angle lenses for full frame is challenging, and getting a first party, high quality lens at 21mm and F1.4 would cost you probably 5-6x as much.

[@TommyNordpole]

Good job! As always! If anyone need to know something about any lens, this is the place! :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[@davidburton2294]

I just bought the 50mm 1.2 TTArtisans and put it on my Sony A7rii in super 35 mode (18mp) - wow - sharp at 1.2 !! This 21mm looks interesting too :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Interesting. I've been impressed with the optics of several of the TTArtisans lenses.

[@alejandrocastelblanco2684]

I am very thankful for this contend, congrats for your channel

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Narsuitus]

I wish the $400 21mm f/1.5 TTArtisan lens had been available before I purchased my $9,000 21mm f/1.4 Summilux. Now I can only hope that my lens has much better image quality.

[@robertcudlipp3426]

Dare I say it, however viewing the build and construction feature portion of the review, reminds me, dare I say, of the aged but excellent lens markings of the Leica Summicron 50/2 & 35/Aspherical purchased years' ago to match with the Leica M 6, I still use from time to time. The lens offers far better value than it's performance. Manual focus is no real problem when shooting wide angles as I just set at f 5.6, 8, 11 etc. Difficult to get an out of focus shot at those apertures and, from your testing, set at those apertures would clean up some of the problems you found at smaller openings. Something to think about.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't think that's an unfair comparison. I'm not overly familiar with Leica, but some of the design language is a bit similar.

[@ExplorationStories]

Very nice video!!! +1 for using 100 drachmas banknote!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I've heard a few times.

[@marcp.1752]

Greetings Dustin, i am a hell long time Reader of your reviews, and would like to see your personal definitive Review of the 7Artisans 35/1.4 M-Mount Lens. Keep up the good work!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Marc, unfortunately I don't cover any Leica related gear, as I don't own any Leica cameras.

[@scy7697]

At 1.5, should refocus base on the corner... for super wide focus plane may not be flat... especially up close...

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure I did test for that and didn't see a radical difference.

[@scy7697]

Obviously you did not make sure the lens is not perpendicular to the test chart... the top side has longer to the bottom...

[@joaoribeirinha8215]

Hi Dustin, thank you for your review. I am considering to buy this lenses to shoot film with my Leica M5 and where glass sharpness is not that important but character. At this price point seems to charm. What is your opinion when comparing this lenses with the voigtlander 21mm f4 skopar while shooting film? Any other recommendations for this focal length? Other m mount lenses I know for this range come with a hefty price tag. If you reply, thank you a lot for your time Dustin. Please note that is not a focal length I shoot a lot and won't be for everyday use

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

If you don’t want to spend big, this lens should work okay.

[@joaoribeirinha8215]

@@DustinAbbottTWI thank you

[@dannybrown6678]

Thank You for this, just seen this lens yesterday and there wasn't much in good reviews, until now. It will be going on my z6ii for gimble use. I was looking for a super light lens, because the FTZ mount and a Art 24mm with focus motor, etc. limits the capabilities of the Ronin sc. Also thinking about the Nikon AFD 20mm f/2.8, but would still have to use the FTZ. Anyone with experience on this, I'd appreciate your opinion.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm glad the review helped.

[@ych8312]

Please review the voigtlander 21mm 1.4

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Getting Voigtlanders for testing is difficult because Voigtlander doesn't have distribution in Canada.

[@GillesQuennevilleGQ]

The result i have with this lens on the Leica M11 are much more stunning than what you show using a Sony. I am surprised with your bad results.

[@ankera7460]

nice!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks!