TTArtisan 40mm F2.8 Macro -SHARP but Flawed

[@stephcharz9082]

I have this lens, as it has no focus motor that sucks the batteries empty and the focus ring has a very nice design, allows very fine focusing over the macro range. Maybe not as sharp as my 100mm by Laowa, but it’s still offers a sufficient sharpness.Coating is a problem which other chinese lenses also have it, but all in the lens offers great quality, especially for that super low price.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing your opinion.

[@TheCogitech]

I agree with some of the others here in the comments. The issue with internal reflections is very bad, but most of my macro work is very controlled and it isn't difficult to mitigate the issue, especially if it is anticipated. Knowing about the issue and remaining aware while setting up shots is an easy solution. Also, compared to other macros in this price range, this is the most compact that I could find. For $100, it is what it is - which is a damned good bargain capable of excellent photos when one uses it within its "best performance parameters".

[@stefanbadass5357]

Thank you for this review Matti. You are the only reviewer I have watched to mention the internal reflection issue with the lens. Wello done.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. You should also watch Micael Widell's video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5ack5xto9ygitk

[@barret8]

Having used this lens for some time I can confirm that the stray light issue is HUGE! It is everywhere, and it's very difficult to find a light placement (relative to lens) where the lens does not cause flaring - I don't know if this is caused by internal reflections or some design flaw of front lens element, but it is definitely there. Huge flaw, otherwise it's quite a good lens.

[@Xinrui24]

I found other photographers mentioned the issue about this lens before. But I think I'm OK with that since it's just happen from a specific angle. 99USD is a good price at least for a beginner like me.

[@mattisulanto]

The price is good for sure.

[@jaysun070476]

I just bought this lense and i think its amazing i ditched my other manual lenses . I use a variable nd filter so i dont notice any of these flaws at all in this lens . I also think ppl who are not photographers will not notice . The samples i have seen was pics that were zoomed up. I havnt really taken any pics with more extreme light yet so idk . Thanks for the review.

[@mattisulanto]

Good to hear you are happy with the lens.

[@boxntoys]

Which one nd filter sir? I think i need one.

[@jaysun070476]

@@boxntoys i use k&f variable nd filter there farly affordable. The filter size is 52mm

[@hauke3644]

Thanks for your honesty with this lens, taking the risk that the vendor doesn’t like you anymore… I don’t use manual lenses for macros, I have even stopped using the old, adapted Olympus 50mm lens (which is very good!), because I often use focus bracketing and that requires native AF.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. If they don't like me after this, then it has to be that way. I can't ignore things like this.

[@phillean]

Very informative, thanks. It is good to see the limits and the positives. It is on my “might buy” list for m4/3 because of it’s overall utility, I think I can deal with the lighting angle and the lens is small and light. 40mm -80mm full frame equivalent is a useful focal length. The Olympus 60mm is of course a better dedicated macro lens but it’s cost and size and weight means it is only going to bought and carried for specific purposes. I am looking for reviews that compare this TT Artisans lens with the 30mm Olympus macro and the 30mm Lumix macro.

[@barret8]

I wonder if lens hood would resolve the stray light issue?

[@catherinegrimes2308]

I could work.

[@paullavender6227]

Perhaps it isn't perfect, but you managed to capture some first class macro shots with it.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks.

[@TheBadBone23]

While I understand the issues exposed in this video I'm still wondering, aren't the quality of the pictures and the price overshadowing the internal flaring, which let's be honest, can be avoided? What other lenses, in the same budget, can provide such great results? I know this is an old video but I recently discovered macro photography and I'm really curious about that aspect. Being a beginner there is a limited budget therefore that budget is the determining factor when purchasing a lens so of course I want the best product for the money.

[@mattisulanto]

Macro lenses are usually sharp and optically good, so almost any macro lens is as good or better than this. I can't recommend this lens even though some my photos in the video look good. You'll encounter the mentioned problem in real life sooner or later and it'll ruin your shots. But of course, you make the purchase decision😀

[@TheBadBone23]

@@mattisulanto Thank you! My question stands, can you get something better in the same budget? Or something that is not having that flaring issue?

[@mattisulanto]

@@TheBadBone23 I have not tried every macro lens and can't recommend any specific lenses. Please, do some research, watch a few reviews and I'm sure you'll find something.

[@alonsogarrote8898]

@@mattisulanto Sir can you recommend another $100 macro lens with better optics and same magnification?

[@ninjastronghold]

Imho you are trying hard to find some flaws and say something bad about this glass. Who shoots macro with a light projecting directly into the lens? Evry lens will flare/blik/ghost/lose contrast at this circumstance. Use Your tools to their strenghts and work around their weanesses and Your pictures prove this aginst your words. Great value lens by my standards.

[@mattisulanto]

You are of course free to buy this lens, but remember what I said😀 However, there are better value for money macro lenses, which do not suffer from such extreme flare problem. Besides, I'm not alone with my opinions, please see Micael's video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5ack5xto9ygitk

[@romelhyn]

so what are those affordale macro lenses than this?

[@mattisulanto]

Write "low budget macro lens" in the KZbin search field and you'll get plenty of videos and lenses.

[@Fedorevsky]

Great review as always! Off course one mans flaws can be another mans features so I decided to get this. So cheap and so distinct. I only shoot video and only manual focus. I love me some flare.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing.

[@PeterSmith-w2s]

I think a little unfair. This is a macro lens, why would you buy it to take "normal" pics when you can by cheaper "normal" lenses for that purpose. So the flare issue is irrelevant. In most circumstances, macro lenses are used in studios or on tripods where you have full control over the light source, as you demonstrated, to produce very acceptable images.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. I used the lens and shared my results. I can't simply ignore such a severe problem. Yes, you may be able to avoid the flare issue, but it's also going to limit your shooting options. By all means buy the lens, if you think it'll work for you

[@LadyBovine]

You can defend the lens, but deciding a macro lens is a macro lens and should be used this or that way is a bit silly imo. The Lumix 30mm 2.8 macro is my favorite allround lens, partly because it's so sharp across the frame at a relatively wide aperture of 2.8, but also because it means I don't get frustrated when I want to get closer to things. Sure this lens is cheap, but a macro lens that's just a macro lens would be questionable value imo, but that's kind of the point I guess. Not everyone has the same needs.

[@sikaheimo]

Quite unusual how the lens covers FF from 1:3 to 1:1.5, but vignettes at 1:1.. Maybe due to some kind of partial internal focusing? Anyways, nice to see more affordable special lenses, shame though for the short-comings.

[@mattisulanto]

The lens could change its focal length even, or like you said some internal focusing or floating element moving around.

[@mauricioperea]

Thanks for share your reviews

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for watching!

[@850Tech]

Considering the downsides what is the next cheapest option better than this ?

[@mattisulanto]

Probably another Chinese lens from another manufacturer like, 7Artisans, Laowa, Mitakon, Meike etc. Second hand market is also a good place to look for affordable lenses.

[@850Tech]

@@mattisulanto why do you think these lenses are way cheaper the L or Art lenses? Is it because they break after sometime?

[@mattisulanto]

@@850Tech They are manual focus and that is one reason for sure. I don't have any detailed behind the scenes info on camera gear pricing.

[@850Tech]

@@mattisulanto thanks for the detailed video. Let's try and see

[@robgeorge102]

Hi Matti, would you be interested in doing a comparison between the sigma contemporary lenses for micro 4/3 against their Panasonic/Olympus counterparts? Lots of great reviews online but no comparison tests head to head? I’m sure there are lots of people like me who would be interested in seeing how Sigma fairs in a specific comparison.

[@mattisulanto]

What kind of a comparison are suggesting?

[@robgeorge102]

@@mattisulanto Hi Matti, thank you for responding. I was thinking comparing say the 16mm with the Pana / Olympus pro 17mm equivalents on landscapes/Cityscapes/street; the 30mm against the 25 mm fast primes for street/general/portrait and the 56mm against the 42.5/45mm equivalents for portraiture. I am an ex-nikon shooter converted to Micro4/3 (mostly due to you and Peter Forsgard) and i can’t find any comparison videos for sigma vs the Olympus pro equivalents and or the Panasonic/Leica offerings. Most reviews comparing the Panasonic and Olympus lenses tend to say “if you have an Olympus body, stick with Olympus lenses and the same for Panasonic as the lenses tend to be excellent and comparable - the only difference is image stabilisation”. Most Sigma lens reviews tend to be stand alone reviews without comparison to their native brothers. I would really like to see a real world test of all these lenses to see how they perform against each other - I know that’s a big ask! I believe you are best placed as an independent reviewer to provide this with integrity as you already regularly review 3rd party products. Apologies for the long winded response. Rob - A happy amateur.

[@mattisulanto]

​@@robgeorge102 That kind of a comparison would be a gargantuan task and the end result, or recommendation, would still be to pick the one you like the best😀 I'm sure it would be interesting to many to look at all those side by side comparison photos, but in the end they would only represent that particular situation and would not give any definite answer. Anyway, that is something to consider at some point in the future.

[@robgeorge102]

Thanks Matti. I suspect as well that the output would be that if you can live with the slightly long sigma lengths then they are a credible alternative to their competitors - but all the lenses suggested would serve you well. I hope it’s food for thought - and if you are ever stuck for content ideas, you would consider it (As you said - Gargantuan, so it may need to be split into 3 separate reviews). Keep posting, I really enjoy the channel. Rob

[@LetsMakeGhosts]

Hi there. I am looking for a cheap macro to scan my 35mm negatives. As these will be back lit do you think internal reflections will be an issue or would this only be caused by direct sunlight. On a tight budget and have been looking at vintage options but not sure what be best. I am a Fuji x user but have no problem in adapting vintage lenses.

[@mattisulanto]

I have scanned some B&W negatives on this lens and I have some minor problems, if there is a lot of transparent (black in final photo) area in the negative. While this lens can do an ok scanning job, I'd still probably look for something else.

[@LetsMakeGhosts]

@@mattisulanto Thank you for the reply. That is perfect. All I wanted to know. I think I will look for something else. Maybe a vintage macro. Must have a look. Cheers

[@LetsMakeGhosts]

@@mattisulanto Are your farniliar with the Tamron 90mm 2.5 SP? I picked up one pretty cheap. This mat do the trick. Yes it has a bit of fungus but nothing that can't be sorted.

[@mattisulanto]

@@LetsMakeGhosts I know the lens, but have never used one. I'm sure it'll do the trick and some minor fungus probably doesn't affect anything.

[@robertbirnbach2312]

lomography has a cheap tool for scanning negatives that might be worth looking at

[@electronicblueberry]

Thanks so much for this review! I was about to buy this, but the internal reflections are indeed a deal-breaker for me. Shame, as otherwise it's exactly what I was looking for. Edit: What might some of those other affordable macro options that you mentioned be?

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. Like I said in the video, I can't recommend this lens. I have seen good reviews on the 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Mark II Macro, but have not tried it for myself. Laowa also has some macro lenses, but they are a bit more expensive.

[@ruuddirks5565]

If I look at the DOF scale, it seems that at F4 the DOF is already from 1m till infinity. Which I don't think is realistic for a 40 mm lens. Maybe a little bit too careless with the scale?

[@mattisulanto]

That too, the scale is not very accurate.

[@robinwong]

That is really too bad about flare and internal reflections. I guess that's why real dedicated macro lenses are not cheap, it is not easy to make them optically to control the technical flaws.

[@mattisulanto]

I guess you get what you pay for. This lens is for very limited use only, because of this major flaw.

[@UnoUnchained]

You discouraged people from getting this lens because of the flaws you mentioned and recommendes other "cheaper" macro lenses that you haven't tried yet. What if they are worst, with soft images? At least thia one, by your own admission is sharp even wide open. That amounts to something, does it not?

[@gpjennett9819]

Blaming the hardware for bad photography habits is really lame. /|\Gp

[@thatsreallyamoon]

A lesson to the public on why without good coatings, a lens is near-useless.

[@hejakma4682]

It's not even the coatings, its just not blacked properly inside.

[@rockymays317]

Real photographers don't need light? Lol

[@mattisulanto]

I think everyone needs some light in their lives😀

[@tbacon68]

Exactly!!

[@erin758]

No way. That reflection ruins everything. I added this to my wishlist but now. 🤷‍♂

[@mattisulanto]

There are other affordable and better macro options.

[@ismagine]

@@mattisulantosuch as?

[@mattisulanto]

@@ismagine For example the Pergear 60mm F2.8 Mk2. More expensive than this 40mm but still very affordable and better.

[@dasnack]

It's a really good one, but it also weights a ton in comparison. @@mattisulanto

[@cameraprepper7938]

?

[@mattisulanto]

???