TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 (APS-C version) lens review with samples

[@swagonman]

I bought this lens about 1 month ago for my XT4. It is enjoyable for me. I love the rendering and bokeh. Chris didn’t mention the interesting 10-blade aperture shape. It’s unusual, but I like it. It seems copied from the Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50/1.5, as does much of the lens design and performance. In fact, if you watch a bunch of reviews on that lens and this lens, they mostly sound interchangeable. (Yes , sure, the Zeiss is probably a better lens at its much higher price.) For both lenses, people (outside of Chris) seem to like the film-ish rendering, and therefore forgive some of their weaknesses. To me, I will use f/1.2 for soft, flattering portraits only. Other subjects will be shot in f/1.4 to f/2.8 range. Landscapes at f/8. Chris didn’t mention that the infinity focus stop is easily adjusted to be exactly accurate. I had to do it on my copy. Now, it’s super easy to nail focus at infinity. Not many lenses have this feature. Back to the aperture blades: I found a forum message where the non-round shape was discussed. While it casts this shape into the bokeh balls (which people may like or dislike), it also improves the smoothness of the bokeh otherwise. The effect is similar to an apodization element because the aperture’s radius is not consistent around the “circle” with a non-round shape. Also, the transition from in-focus to out-of-focus in the image is very nice (better than many of my Fuji lenses, IMHO). I think there must be something to that, because Zeiss chose the same blade shape for their lens, and I’m sure it was intentional. Chris also didn’t mention the bumps on the aperture ring. I like them in use. They are also copied from the Zeiss lens, but it uses only one and on the Focus ring. But it looks nearly exactly the same. Chris also didn’t mention the focus sensitivity. I, and many others, find it just about right. The lens is very smooth and easy to focus. I like having at least one MF lens to play with, and for now, this is it. It’s fun. It’s nice and small on camera. I risked buying it (less than $90 on sale) over the larger f/0.95 competitors. Believe it or not, I’m selling my Fuji 56/1.2 lens. I don’t use this focal length too often, and I’ve decided this TT Artisan lens is more fun and doesn’t tie up as much of my $$$ sitting around most of the time. I give it a huge endorsement at this price point. Because it is new and so much fun, for the last month, it has “won” the privilege of being mounted by default on my camera body while sitting in the bag. I didn’t expect that.

[@jasonyoung1999]

How do you adjust the focus ring at infinity? I have several of their lenses and all of them the infinity hard stop goes past focus. I have to stop 1 number before the hard stop for clear image. I've tried loosening the 3 set screws on the focus ring but moving it doesn't correct the hard stop. Do you know where it explains steps on doing it?

[@swagonman]

@@jasonyoung1999First loosen all three screws. Then snug one barely. Then focus precisely at infinite. Then unsung, rotate the focus ring to the stop, then re-snug. Now check focus, and repeat multiple times until you get it right. Once right, tighten all three screws. Took me about 10 times before I was satisfied.

[@jasonyoung1999]

@@swagonman So after you do that the new hard stop will stop on infinity as well as the corrected focus point? I will try again and see if I can figure it out. Thank you

[@swagonman]

@@jasonyoung1999 when you move the ring while the screws are loose, you are moving the hard stop, but not moving the optics.

[@sonishubham4603]

Can you suggest me which one is good 35 mm 1.4 ttartisans or 7artisans

[@thecaveofthedead]

I love this lens. It's great for normal distance portraits where corner sharpness isn't a concern. It's good to see that what's needed for close-up sharpness and edge-to-edge sharpness. Overall an f1.2 that can't be bad considering its price.

[@voorachter2733]

It's surprising to see how poorly it performed/how little you liked it. I find it to be an absolute gem at it's price. Build quality for days with stupidly nice out of focus backgrounds for like €100.

[@itacatv2146]

I usually don’t open more than f1.4 and if possible I keep it at f1.8 and it performs really well. My copy seems to be slightly sharper that the one he was reviewing. I’m not sure about that.

[@jedunboxing4127]

do you have samples photos IG or something?

[@maliktalha4029]

I quite like the fact that this lens produces images that are a tad soft. They almost look creamy smooth, and is beautiful in correctly lit areas.

[@SovietLensReviews]

Chris talking about 'dropping acid' will never not be funny 😂 Honestly, you can't complain when you can buy a $100 F/1.2 that is as sharp as this is in the centre.

[@jar45680]

It's my favorite manuel focus lens, sharp enough and cheap. Also it looks good.

[@reisgc]

I admire your work and respect your analysis and comments. In this particular case, I just played this review here side by side with the Fuji 56mm f1.2 review. It is a very interesting experience to understand your perspective. Thank you.

[@techtt6213]

Been curious about this video for ages! Whilst I love my fuji 35mm-f2 this is a very fun lens to have and use every now and then

[@janivauhkonen]

my favorite lens with the xt4 camera 🙂

[@fotoarray532]

I must say - I love your reviews.

[@momchilyordanov8190]

Well, one can use this lens between f/2.8 and f/8. Tbh, for a price like that - not a bad deal.

[@blackberrynomad]

Thanks for this review. Details for the hood you used would be appreciated.

[@GordoFriman]

Hey Chris, was that really corner softness? i got the impression that is field curvature issues. did you tried focusing zooming in at the corners?

[@INSTINCT777]

Just got this lens today. What a happy coincidence :) I walked trough the woods with it and shot almost exclusively on 1.2. Got some great shots but it is indeed very soft wide open and chromatic aberrations are everywhere so depending on subjects it's very bad or not. It didn't like leafs and tree details in many cases for example. I recommend to stop down to 2.8 in any case. Except that it's an awesome lens and feels great in hand! :)

[@lensman5762]

At wide open aperture it is a brilliant portrait lens. The soft creamy rendering helps soften up the unnatural contrast displayed by all digital cameras. I doubt very much if anyone is going to leave this lens on F1.2 and go out taking ' macro ' or detail shots. It seems that you get two decent lenses in a very very cheap package with this lens depending on the aperture settings. I am sorry to say that sharpness in a lens of this nature is not the primary concern of a photographer, if so then alternatives at five times the price are available. There is far more to the performance of a lens than just corner to corner sharpness. Sadly sharpness has become the defacto metric by which lenses are ' judged ' these days. I do not own one of these lenses, I don't intend to buy one nor am I employed by the makers of this lens, just to make matters clear.

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😊!

[@chdezmtz]

I Bought it two weeks ago, have only used it for two photowalks , my copy seems to be sharper than the one reviewed here, in regular conditions and avoiding any extreme situation it worked well, shot some portraits at f1.2, not the sharpest but not bad, I like having the aperture ring at the top of the lens, it's a good lens for its price IMO,.

[@notcirrious]

Dropping acid while watching 2001! lol x🤣

[@Termidryna]

1:35 how to zoom in and out when it's a prime lens?

[@iyzyz]

Focus breathing

[@AfifZulkifli]

Where can I find this lens hood?

[@A.Edilbi]

Did you speed up the audio ? I felt it was

[@daxfitz]

Great video as always Christopher. You need to review the 7 artisans 50mm .95, it has some very unique characteristics when shot wide open and I think that it would make for a great video.

[@SeanChandler]

I believe he did review the 50 .95

[@Durio_zibethinus]

7artisan f/0.95 review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3OlkGChrq6hfqc

[@shock_me]

@@Durio_zibethinus That review is for the full frame optic. They introduced an aps-c lens with different optical construction in May.

[@Durio_zibethinus]

@@shock_me waa, thanks for your correction, really appreciate it.

[@jcblum1507]

Best Reviews always

[@zenphotocraftmedia8326]

I have this lens . It's nice

[@arisps17]

Compared to 7artisans Photoelectric 35mm f/0.95 Lens which do you think is better

[@Silentzo-]

Amazing review Chris!!! I was wondering if you be able to review the 7artisans 35mm 1.4 lens one day????

[@tonyjones99]

Great video Christopher.

[@shaneweightman]

I bought one of these 3 days ago , for 83 quid off eBay uk , they got intouch yesterday to say sorry all there stock of tt artisan were faulty and now I’ve gotta wait 5 working days to get my money back , and probably when you use technical abbreviations describing things like focus breathing , there is people new to the hobbie and won’t have a clue what ur on about , thanks shane uk 🇬🇧

[@slr7075]

Any more Nikon F mount DSLR FX lens reviews, Christopher?I love to see a review on the 85mm f1.8G, 20mm f1.8G and perhaps even the versatile 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 G VR zoom lens.

[@enricoteofilo.shoots]

I'm looking for a lens for non-professional portraits that could work with my Sony a6100. This one is very cheap, and in some ways reminds me of some vintage lenses, that attract me more and more. Is this actually a good option for around 120€ or are there better options in the same price bracket (new/used)? For what I'd be doing with this lens, I care more about character, bokeh and fun than sharpness corner-to-corner. I just wouldn't like strong chromatic aberration, especially longitudinal one. This one is not exceptional in this regard, but unless you do heavy becklit portraits, it wasn't looking terrible in there...

[@johnb.7812]

Have you ever done content about the relation of your faith to photographic arts?

[@maxwiltshire6159]

Hi Chris, will you be reviewing the TTartisan 17mm 1.4 for Fuji? I know you’ve done it on Sony but I would be interested to see how it works on X Mount. Thanks!

[@lukeekry]

I found this lens having pretty decent coverage of the full frame sensor too, any experience?

[@ciudadanosdelcosmos]

Hi .this lens requires and adaptor for Sony a6400? Thanks

[@funsoftware1905]

Cropped to magnification 1.1,1.2 and used for a7m3.

[@cottonbomb8272]

You can insult me I don't care, but I'm very proud of my Chinese fellas making all these "Junk" lenses. Call me a communist if you want, but I think everyone should have the chance to try something they love, and by making these junk lenses, it lowers the entrance fee for fast lense and bring the fun to more and more people. Yes it's shit compared to Nikon 0.95, but I cared more about all the people around world who wants to try the fast lense but don't have enough money.

[@愛如潮水1991]

😊

[@lesberkley3821]

Reminds me of my 55mm f1.2 Nikkor.

[@Re-InCarNation]

How does this compare to the 50mm f0.95 from them?

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Just don't use the lens above f/2.8. Otherwise it's ok! Also preset focus on lens barrel.

[@janivauhkonen]

We need this vs ttartisan 50mm f2 ?

[@danncorbit3623]

Suggestion: Review Yongnuo YN 85mm F18S D DSM on Sony. According to DXOMARK, it is the sharpest measured lens(on Sony A7R IV). If true, at $345 it is the bargain of the century. Considering the previous YN lenses, it seems hard to fathom that an earth shattering lens might be born at YN. I suspect mud in the corners, stopping down like mad for clarity and other faux pas.

[@herrharz4046]

who cares if the edges are not sharp? the main subject is in the middle, and its sharp

[@migflc778]

This or the SAMYANG 50mm F1.2 ?

[@felixdenzels.monroyiii3785]

Is this good for cinematic or travel video?

[@KingFiercer_zip]

No, too much focus breathing 1:31

[@kietzi]

Sounds to me like i need no mist filter.. nice 😅👍

[@ernestorodriguez4742]

5:15 The best part of the video John 1:1 - "In [the] beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:2 - "The same was in [the] beginning with God." John 1:3 - "All things through him came into being, and without him came into being not even one thing which came into being."

[@thomaseni9237]

That have autofocus?

[@charbelesber1257]

Finally

[@xxMike-X]

good for talking head videos?

[@artphototech]

4:31 really now😏😏😏😍🤪

[@VangelisMatosMedina]

Chris hit to hard on this chinese lens, this one is really good when stopped down a little.

[@sharifsalem]

People buy these for the widest available aperture.

[@VangelisMatosMedina]

@@sharifsalem only ingenuous people, everyone knows sharpness wide open is expensive.

[@swagonman]

@@sharifsalem I bought it knowing I would shoot often at f/1.4 or f/2, as well as landscapes at f/8. Occasionally, I may shoot it wide open for a portrait, where a little softness is flattering. I’m actually selling my Fuji 56/1.2, believe it or not. This lens is more enjoyable for me. And the bokeh is much more pleasing.

[@ConstanceHunter-o2j]

Schroeder Shore

[@DjimmyTrovy]

5:50 You subliminally copied one other youtuber here. :)

[@Termidryna]

I think it would be much better to manufacture a better quality lens for 200$ instead of a 100$ toy.

[@thomasdevos4732]

Your perception of quality is probably influenced by it's low price, because none of the results indicate that this is a toy. I'm really happy with this lens and it can compete easily with any $200 lens on the market. I'm sure you won't be able to pick out the $100 lens when comparing the pictures + to be able to buy more different lenses is a blessing for (starting) photographers on a budget.

[@diegorivera2711]

First! After a long time!

[@Badonicus]

You dont need to be first to drop a comment.

[@diegorivera2711]

@@Badonicus yep, but I like to be. Hehehe

[@djchips]

It's reviews like this that make me wonder what the other lens manufacturers pay you. Either that, or maybe you just have something against the Chinese manufacturer. Regardless, this review has significant pedantic commentary compared to reviews for other more expensive lenses, it really diminishes the usefulness of the review.

[@DixonLu]

Unclear these lenses' target market. Many adaptable vintage lenses are better, e.g., a Minolta Rokkor 1.2 goes for US$250. Equal if not better are Takumars 1.4 @$30-80.

[@Farmalando]

Native mount, no need for an adaptor. And SLR lenses adapted to APSC mirrorless tend to be really big (comparatively) because of the adaptor and full frame image circle

[@definitelynotagoodperson5456]

@@Farmalando This is so true. Also collecting vintage lenses tend to get expensive as you get addicted in collecting / trying them out instead of settling in one glass for one purpose. These are indeed made as affordable and compact/native mounting that doesn't need an ugly dumb adapter to factor in. No matter how niche or small the market is, these chinese lense makers have the native mount advantage.

[@voorachter2733]

I prefer these cheap manuals over bothering with adapters and looking for the right vintage lens in good conditions.