Another excellent review. Dustin’s reviews have been the best resource for us Fuji X-H2 users since you’ve begun testing X mount gear. One suggestion for your detailed review section, despite the age of Fuji lenses, they’re still the OEM reference, perhaps consider adding how the lens(or lenses) in review, a short compare to the closest equivalent Fuji counterpart. Not to add length of the detailed section, but just providing a quick reference point will make the already excellent reviews even better. Thank you for your efforts.
Thanks Dustin, really appreciate this comparison! Quite interesting how similar they are, but still with some pretty big differences as they trade blows. I would say that while the Viltrox has much more consistent image quality and better sharpness, the magnification and close up performance could be a dealbreaker for this focal length. But thanks for your time and effort, a great review as always.
As usual, an excellent review of 2 top value for money choices. Having, some time ago invested in the excellent Sigma 56 1.4, that's where I'm staying.
Hi Dustin, as usual another fantastic review and comparison. I bought the TT Artisan for my Sony and using it on an A7RIV in APSc mode. I have done a series of portraits and in vertical orientation, the subject's head is in the upper third of the frame. I see fantastic resolution and contrast in my images. I was really disappointed to see that your results are very poor for the TT Artisan. For moving subjects, the focus tracking is not that great either. It is ok but I got a lot of missed shots tracking my two year old grandson. That could be partially from the camera. I do not have a speedier body to test the focus tracking.
Remember that Fuji's 40MP sensor is MUCH higher resolution than the 26MP of your a7RIV in APS-C mode. It punishes all but the sharpest of lenses, so I'm not surprised that the TTArtisan looks good on Sony, as I still felt it looked pretty decent on Fuji
@@DustinAbbottTWI Good point. FYI, I have compared the results with a borrowed Sigma 85 f1.4 I had for a while and the TT Artisan results are right up there with Sigma in FF mode. The main advantage of the Sigma is the faster focus and much higher keeper rate for tracking shots. Otherwise, I cannot tell the difference between the two. I am talking about both lenses shot wide open for most of the portraits I did.
Great comparison, thank you. An important additional difference that I have read about between these lenses (and any Viltrox/TTartisan AF lens) is that currently (as of July 2024), as far as I have been able to research and according to the manufacturer's websites, firmware updates on TTartisan lenses cannot be performed via a Mac computer, whereas Viltrox lenses can be. If anyone has successfully updated a TTartisan on a Mac (that does not require command line level effort) it would be great if you could share this.
I am very happy with my Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 T* ZA Lens, of which I saw several used at my local store for $US 360 taxes included in very good condition, there was also one a bit beaten for $US 180 taxes included.
I can't say when that will happen. I'm so busy with reviews that I've already got months of content between finished videos and gear I already have on hand for testing.
Hi Dustin, nice comparison. I was interested from a science perspective with the launch of the new Fuji kit lens the XF 16-50 F/2.8-F/4.8 with it's wider 16mm starting point compared to the previous kit lenses 18mm, a comparison to where the Fuji XF 16mm F/2.8 fits in and compares optically to the newer kit lens, and is a new 16mm Prime lens required from fuji (as the 16mm F/1.4 is old now too) Will the 16mm have a home for new fuji buyers who have purchased the new Kit zoom with their X-T50 (or new kits with the X-T5/X-S20) other than being compact.
Thank you for an interesting comparison. I bought the TTArtisans a couple of months ago for my a6700. The Viltrox was then not available for the e-mount. Not sure which one I'd choose after this review for I have a preference for smaller lenses. More importantly: - I am able to mount the lens hood over the lens cup, so is it really not possible to use filters with this lens? I wouldn't know because I can't be bothered to use filters. - Comparing autofocus on a Fuji body is relevant to Fuji shooters only. Sony's latest autofocus, like in the a6700, is in a different league. I have lenses that were to so flash on the a6500 and now they have sparked back to life on the a6700. All in all, happy with my TTArtisans so far.
You are right that autofocus is fairly primitive on Fuji by comparison, but as that is the mount that both of these companies sent me samples in, that's what I've compared.
@@DustinAbbottTWI I was trying to make a point, clumsily perhaps, that autofocus performance of a given lens that is made for various mounts can depend on the camera body more than on the lens itself.
@@rjcaubalejo I haven't tried it on fast moving subjects like dogs running etc. I have used it in street photography where it worked fine with people moving.
11:59 I've seen differing fields of view of lenses of equal focal length before but the differences here are relatively massive. Could you calculate the equivalent focal lengths of both lenses? Perhaps neither are 56mm. Thx.
They are surprisingly different. The TTArtisan has a 28° angle of view, while the Viltrox is nearly 30°. I would guess the TTArtisan is something like 57-58mm, while the Viltrox is more like 53-54mm. (50mm is 31.4°)
Unfortunately I don't really have experience with the Sony, though I will say that it is pretty old at this point so I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.
Hi Dustin any chance of reviewing Meike 55mm f1.4 lens would like to know which is a bang for buck when compared to these 2 lens as their price point and specs are very similar.
The big problem for me is that I have months of content either recorded or booked already. It's been so busy that I'm having a hard time adding more content.
Another excellent review. Dustin’s reviews have been the best resource for us Fuji X-H2 users since you’ve begun testing X mount gear. One suggestion for your detailed review section, despite the age of Fuji lenses, they’re still the OEM reference, perhaps consider adding how the lens(or lenses) in review, a short compare to the closest equivalent Fuji counterpart. Not to add length of the detailed section, but just providing a quick reference point will make the already excellent reviews even better. Thank you for your efforts.
Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks for the detailed comparison
My pleasure.
Great comparison, but at $200, I'm now looking closely at the Meike 1.5 55mm lol. Max aperture aside, I just like having an physical aperture ring.
Thanks Dustin, really appreciate this comparison! Quite interesting how similar they are, but still with some pretty big differences as they trade blows. I would say that while the Viltrox has much more consistent image quality and better sharpness, the magnification and close up performance could be a dealbreaker for this focal length. But thanks for your time and effort, a great review as always.
I was actually surprised that it wasn't a clean win across the board for the Viltrox, as they've been so strong. Good on TTArtisan for stepping up.
As usual, an excellent review of 2 top value for money choices.
Having, some time ago invested in the excellent Sigma 56 1.4, that's where I'm staying.
That's a safe choice, for sure.
Hi Dustin, as usual another fantastic review and comparison. I bought the TT Artisan for my Sony and using it on an A7RIV in APSc mode. I have done a series of portraits and in vertical orientation, the subject's head is in the upper third of the frame. I see fantastic resolution and contrast in my images. I was really disappointed to see that your results are very poor for the TT Artisan.
For moving subjects, the focus tracking is not that great either. It is ok but I got a lot of missed shots tracking my two year old grandson. That could be partially from the camera. I do not have a speedier body to test the focus tracking.
Remember that Fuji's 40MP sensor is MUCH higher resolution than the 26MP of your a7RIV in APS-C mode. It punishes all but the sharpest of lenses, so I'm not surprised that the TTArtisan looks good on Sony, as I still felt it looked pretty decent on Fuji
@@DustinAbbottTWI Good point.
FYI, I have compared the results with a borrowed Sigma 85 f1.4 I had for a while and the TT Artisan results are right up there with Sigma in FF mode. The main advantage of the Sigma is the faster focus and much higher keeper rate for tracking shots. Otherwise, I cannot tell the difference between the two. I am talking about both lenses shot wide open for most of the portraits I did.
Great comparison, thank you. An important additional difference that I have read about between these lenses (and any Viltrox/TTartisan AF lens) is that currently (as of July 2024), as far as I have been able to research and according to the manufacturer's websites, firmware updates on TTartisan lenses cannot be performed via a Mac computer, whereas Viltrox lenses can be. If anyone has successfully updated a TTartisan on a Mac (that does not require command line level effort) it would be great if you could share this.
I even updated a TTartisan lens, 27mm, through my Huawei phone, just treat it like a U-disk.
Thank you for the detailed and honest comparisons❤
My pleasure.
I am very happy with my Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 T* ZA Lens, of which I saw several used at my local store for $US 360 taxes included in very good condition, there was also one a bit beaten for $US 180 taxes included.
Some Sony Zeiss len’s have a poor build quality,
@@snoopywalker1881 NOT those I have ! Excellent ! I would never trust a Chinese company like DJI/Hasselblad or any other Chines owned brand !
That's a pretty strong price, for sure. I would say the Sonnar is overpriced at full MSRP, but a quality used copy could be more competitive.
@@snoopywalker1881 Not those that I know of and I know many photographers that use them !
Thanks Dustin for this comparison! How about to campare the Viltrox 56 with Sigma 56. What do You think!?
I believe Dustin plans to get the Sigma for testing at some point.
I can't say when that will happen. I'm so busy with reviews that I've already got months of content between finished videos and gear I already have on hand for testing.
Hi Dustin, nice comparison.
I was interested from a science perspective with the launch of the new Fuji kit lens the XF 16-50 F/2.8-F/4.8 with it's wider 16mm starting point compared to the previous kit lenses 18mm, a comparison to where the Fuji XF 16mm F/2.8 fits in and compares optically to the newer kit lens, and is a new 16mm Prime lens required from fuji (as the 16mm F/1.4 is old now too)
Will the 16mm have a home for new fuji buyers who have purchased the new Kit zoom with their X-T50 (or new kits with the X-T5/X-S20) other than being compact.
I'm very interested in seeing how the new 16-50mm fares in my tests.
Thank you for an interesting comparison. I bought the TTArtisans a couple of months ago for my a6700. The Viltrox was then not available for the e-mount. Not sure which one I'd choose after this review for I have a preference for smaller lenses. More importantly:
- I am able to mount the lens hood over the lens cup, so is it really not possible to use filters with this lens? I wouldn't know because I can't be bothered to use filters.
- Comparing autofocus on a Fuji body is relevant to Fuji shooters only. Sony's latest autofocus, like in the a6700, is in a different league. I have lenses that were to so flash on the a6500 and now they have sparked back to life on the a6700.
All in all, happy with my TTArtisans so far.
You are right that autofocus is fairly primitive on Fuji by comparison, but as that is the mount that both of these companies sent me samples in, that's what I've compared.
@@DustinAbbottTWI
I was trying to make a point, clumsily perhaps, that autofocus performance of a given lens that is made for various mounts can depend on the camera body more than on the lens itself.
How is the TTartisan when capturing moving objects? Is the AFC sticks as a glue to its subject?
@@rjcaubalejo
I haven't tried it on fast moving subjects like dogs running etc. I have used it in street photography where it worked fine with people moving.
@@tadeusz1504 i see, thanks
Thanks for making this video, Im mainly seeking this TTartisans but what do you think is better for video? The viltrox or artisans?
11:59 I've seen differing fields of view of lenses of equal focal length before but the differences here are relatively massive. Could you calculate the equivalent focal lengths of both lenses? Perhaps neither are 56mm. Thx.
They are surprisingly different. The TTArtisan has a 28° angle of view, while the Viltrox is nearly 30°. I would guess the TTArtisan is something like 57-58mm, while the Viltrox is more like 53-54mm. (50mm is 31.4°)
Tanks for your comparison Dustin.
I have a Sony 50mm f1.8 OSS. Do you think that this lens perform better than Sony?
Best regards
Unfortunately I don't really have experience with the Sony, though I will say that it is pretty old at this point so I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.
Hi Dustin any chance of reviewing Meike 55mm f1.4 lens would like to know which is a bang for buck when compared to these 2 lens as their price point and specs are very similar.
The big problem for me is that I have months of content either recorded or booked already. It's been so busy that I'm having a hard time adding more content.
viltrox F1.7 is it better than old one F1.4?
Definitely.
How it compare with: EF 50mm f1.8 on adapter ?
Both of these lenses will blow the EF 50mm away.
This TTartisan not good for video..the motor is noisy... terrible.. the photo is great
That's pretty accurate.
TT cost 118usd.😊
Perhaps at the moment, but at the time of my comparison, both lenses were selling for their MSRP prices.