Yes, at first I didn't realize it but at only $79 and only 180 grams, it does makes sense as an even smaller and lower-cost alternative to the TT Artisan 50/1.2!
Yes it sounds that you will really like this lens! If you don’t expect any perfection and are willing to work around the weak points of this lens, it can reward you with some great results!
Thanks Thomas! Interesting lens. I'm curious why they released it for Fuji X since they already offer the excellent 50mm f1.2 for that mount. I love that lens!
This is a bit cheaper than that lens and smaller. And f1.2 might be a tad more difficult to focus I reckon. I look forward to the apsc review for this lens, I might get one for my X-E2.
I agree with Norman: the 50/2 is even considerably cheaper and also just about half the weight of the 50/1.2. So there is a market niche for both these lenses actually!
i really wish they had released a 60/2 in the same form factor instead of this 50/2. they already have so many different 35 and 50mm offerings as it is, it would be nice to have seen something with just a tiny bit more reach, especially for aps-c.
I see your point! Personally I’d have loved to see a 40/2 as well. But of course, the 50/2 is still a very versatile focal length both for full frame as well as APS-C.
Good review! Simple and clear. I picked this lens up for zone focus shooting around NYC on the A7c. Pretty happy! It's not perfect.. but it more than makes up for it in ease of carry and inconspicuous form factor. Paired it with the Sony 35/2.8 ZA... Both lenses are pocket sized. Fun little combo, one for AF one for ZF.
Yes that’s a great combo! I used the ZA 35/2.8 on the original A7R for several years and I totally loved that lens. In my opinion it is really under rated today!
@@rodgercarey3480 What kinda info are you after? I haven't used it in a while now, but I do remember the settings for my "day to day" shooting. I kept it at F5.6, which lets me get a touch of DOF but the lens is super sharp even by there. By coincidence, if the middle of the "M" marking for meters is over the aperture mark for F16, then it's perfectly hyperfocal at F5.6. Otherwise I'd line up the space between the 3 and 5 meter markings directly over the space between the F4 and F8 markings, and it would be in focus from like a few feet to around 15ft. Then just swap between those settings by site to grab subjects far away or up close. That's just some specific marking line ups I memorized for speed and muscle memory. In general, it functions like any other manual focus lens which goes hyperfocal by lining up the infinity marker with the Fstop marking. I found the scale to be super reliable. Flare is the biggest issue, but a hood helps a lot. Wide open it's pretty character driven but even a single stop down and it cleans up great. F5.6 F8 and F11 are sharper than I'd even need (was shooting on a 42mpx body). I sold all my Sony stuff but I kept that lens. Partially because resale is so low, but also because if I ever pick up a Sony body again I'll throw that puppy right on it.
@@SourPlanet Thanks so much for your quick response. With the TTArtisan 50mm F2.0, I tend to shoot at F8. So on the right side where 8 is I place the Infinity symbol over the 8 on the right side. Then I look on the left to see the 8 and above that will be the number of feet, say 3 ft so anything from 3’ to infinity should be in focus. Here is the confusion, I am keeping FOCUS PEAKING on in my A7CR. Looking through the viewfinder the red focus peaking is not as plentiful as it should be to tell me focus is sharp. Do I turn the focus ring until the peaking is much more vivid, telling me things are in focus. But now the infinity symbol is much farther to the right than just being over the 8. I’m a novice at this so I hope I’m being clear. Any thoughts? And btw it works well with the other manual TTARTISAN I have.
Nice little lens and I've pondered getting it but I already own the TTArtisan 50mm F1.4, so this is a bit redundant. Not quite small enough to be pocketable. Maybe if the jacket pocket is fairly big. Wish they had made a 40mm f2, would be a lot more interested then. But it's cheap enough I might still pick it up.
Yes, there's always a point where you've got just enough lenses! Still it's nice to see how TT Artisan (and some other manufacturers) try to cover small niches in the market.
Thanks! I didn’t try the M mount adapter yet but I used the first Techart adapter a few years ago which was for Contax G lenses. Wrote something on my blog about it: tomscameras.wordpress.com/2016/09/08/much-more-fun-than-expected-the-contax-g-902-8-on-the-a7-ii/
Good reviews! No extra blah blah)) like other reviewers. The only point lies in the sibilants that present in the audio track. Slightly hurts the ear. Try to use a de-esser or at least weaken the frequency band in the region of 3.5-5.5 kHz with an equalizer. But that still doesn't make the review any less interesting! Regarding the 35mm from TTartisan, I completely agree. Interesting lens. Not perfect, but delicious! )) Thank you for the reviews and greetings from the fighting Ukraine!
Thanks for your comment and hint about the audio quality! I will try to improve the sound for future videos. All the best wishes and prayers to Ukraine!
@@tomscameras Thank you Europeans for your help and support! It's hard for us, but Ukraine will win! And it will be possible to return to the beautiful world of photography again. We are waiting for new reviews. Good luck!
It's nice for portraits, yes. Still before you decide to get it, maybe also have a look at the Canon RF 50/1.8 which is not that super expensive yet optically much more perfect and comes with auto focus. I see the use case of this TT Artisan more if you do want to venture into the world of manual focus, if you appreciate that it's so small and compact, and if you deliberately want a lens that's not optically perfect even though still capable of good results. And also this lens is fantastic for APS-C cameras as you can see in my other reviews.
No. Manual lenses and AF lenses are completely different in every detail. Optics, mechanics, everything. That means if they want to make an AF lens they have to start from zero again. The closest in terms of specification is the Sony AF 50/1.8. it’s really basic and cheap and it’s AF is very slow, but it is nice nonetheless. Here’s my review: ua-cam.com/video/tMqCmWZjB1Q/v-deo.htmlsi=AZXRu_b0BS0t1TSG The 7Artisans 50/1.8 also has the same specs on paper … but it is a totally different beast. It’s huge, but AF is fast and the optics are fantastic. It’s in a totally different league than the tiny TT Artisan lens! For what the 7Artisans AF lens offers, it’s a real bargain! My review is here: ua-cam.com/video/6pIxYhSFw7E/v-deo.htmlsi=zOBTlzbnUzXZxhac
Yes and at far-away distances (for landscapes) sharpness at the borders and corners is low. Overall it's not perfect for full frame. On the other hand it is super low budget and very small. The lens works very well on APS-C cameras, that's why I did a second review video on APS-C: ua-cam.com/video/vhkK_K3I8mE/v-deo.html
Looks really good at close up, I’m considering it for portraits
Yes, this lens is definitely better at portrait distances compared to landscapes!
Great review as usual Thomas. Can't wait for the apsc review. I'm interested in trying this lens for my X-E2. It's mighty cheap too.
Yes, at first I didn't realize it but at only $79 and only 180 grams, it does makes sense as an even smaller and lower-cost alternative to the TT Artisan 50/1.2!
Enjoyed the review a lot. I've ordered one to try playing with a well crafted full manual lens with character.
Yes it sounds that you will really like this lens! If you don’t expect any perfection and are willing to work around the weak points of this lens, it can reward you with some great results!
Thanks Thomas! Interesting lens. I'm curious why they released it for Fuji X since they already offer the excellent 50mm f1.2 for that mount. I love that lens!
This is a bit cheaper than that lens and smaller. And f1.2 might be a tad more difficult to focus I reckon. I look forward to the apsc review for this lens, I might get one for my X-E2.
I agree with Norman: the 50/2 is even considerably cheaper and also just about half the weight of the 50/1.2. So there is a market niche for both these lenses actually!
i really wish they had released a 60/2 in the same form factor instead of this 50/2. they already have so many different 35 and 50mm offerings as it is, it would be nice to have seen something with just a tiny bit more reach, especially for aps-c.
I see your point! Personally I’d have loved to see a 40/2 as well. But of course, the 50/2 is still a very versatile focal length both for full frame as well as APS-C.
They should sponsor you did really good review
The TT Artisan lenses are provided to my by them yes, so I can shoot these reviews!
Good review! Simple and clear. I picked this lens up for zone focus shooting around NYC on the A7c. Pretty happy! It's not perfect.. but it more than makes up for it in ease of carry and inconspicuous form factor. Paired it with the Sony 35/2.8 ZA... Both lenses are pocket sized. Fun little combo, one for AF one for ZF.
Yes that’s a great combo! I used the ZA 35/2.8 on the original A7R for several years and I totally loved that lens. In my opinion it is really under rated today!
South planet can you share more of your experience using it for zone focusing please?
@@rodgercarey3480 What kinda info are you after? I haven't used it in a while now, but I do remember the settings for my "day to day" shooting. I kept it at F5.6, which lets me get a touch of DOF but the lens is super sharp even by there. By coincidence, if the middle of the "M" marking for meters is over the aperture mark for F16, then it's perfectly hyperfocal at F5.6. Otherwise I'd line up the space between the 3 and 5 meter markings directly over the space between the F4 and F8 markings, and it would be in focus from like a few feet to around 15ft. Then just swap between those settings by site to grab subjects far away or up close.
That's just some specific marking line ups I memorized for speed and muscle memory. In general, it functions like any other manual focus lens which goes hyperfocal by lining up the infinity marker with the Fstop marking. I found the scale to be super reliable. Flare is the biggest issue, but a hood helps a lot. Wide open it's pretty character driven but even a single stop down and it cleans up great. F5.6 F8 and F11 are sharper than I'd even need (was shooting on a 42mpx body).
I sold all my Sony stuff but I kept that lens. Partially because resale is so low, but also because if I ever pick up a Sony body again I'll throw that puppy right on it.
@@SourPlanet Thanks so much for your quick response. With the TTArtisan 50mm F2.0, I tend to shoot at F8. So on the right side where 8 is I place the Infinity symbol over the 8 on the right side. Then I look on the left to see the 8 and above that will be the number of feet, say 3 ft so anything from 3’ to infinity should be in focus. Here is the confusion, I am keeping FOCUS PEAKING on in my A7CR. Looking through the viewfinder the red focus peaking is not as plentiful as it should be to tell me focus is sharp. Do I turn the focus ring until the peaking is much more vivid, telling me things are in focus. But now the infinity symbol is much farther to the right than just being over the 8. I’m a novice at this so I hope I’m being clear. Any thoughts? And btw it works well with the other manual TTARTISAN I have.
Nice little lens and I've pondered getting it but I already own the TTArtisan 50mm F1.4, so this is a bit redundant. Not quite small enough to be pocketable. Maybe if the jacket pocket is fairly big.
Wish they had made a 40mm f2, would be a lot more interested then. But it's cheap enough I might still pick it up.
Yes, there's always a point where you've got just enough lenses! Still it's nice to see how TT Artisan (and some other manufacturers) try to cover small niches in the market.
I'm wondering if they produce a FF 16-35mm manual focus lens?
Thanks Thomas have you tried this lens for ZONE FOCUSING
Nice video. Could you review this "Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapter ver II (LM-EA9)" ?
I thought the same about it, you just need to buy the L mount version and just it.
Thanks! I didn’t try the M mount adapter yet but I used the first Techart adapter a few years ago which was for Contax G lenses. Wrote something on my blog about it:
tomscameras.wordpress.com/2016/09/08/much-more-fun-than-expected-the-contax-g-902-8-on-the-a7-ii/
Good reviews! No extra blah blah)) like other reviewers. The only point lies in the sibilants that
present in the audio track. Slightly hurts the ear. Try to use a de-esser or at least weaken the frequency band in the region of 3.5-5.5 kHz with an equalizer. But that still doesn't make the review any less interesting! Regarding the 35mm from TTartisan, I completely agree. Interesting lens. Not perfect, but delicious! )) Thank you for the reviews and greetings from the fighting Ukraine!
Thanks for your comment and hint about the audio quality! I will try to improve the sound for future videos. All the best wishes and prayers to Ukraine!
@@tomscameras Thank you Europeans for your help and support! It's hard for us, but Ukraine will win! And it will be possible to return to the beautiful world of photography again. We are waiting for new reviews. Good luck!
I wonder how this compares to adapting a Nikkor AI 50 f2 lens?
A good question: I should try out that once! Of course, the adapted Nikkor lens + adapter would be much larger, though :)
I want to pair this lens with my canon R, what do you think? for portrait needs
It's nice for portraits, yes. Still before you decide to get it, maybe also have a look at the Canon RF 50/1.8 which is not that super expensive yet optically much more perfect and comes with auto focus.
I see the use case of this TT Artisan more if you do want to venture into the world of manual focus, if you appreciate that it's so small and compact, and if you deliberately want a lens that's not optically perfect even though still capable of good results.
And also this lens is fantastic for APS-C cameras as you can see in my other reviews.
Are you using the A7R mark i in this video for testing?
Hi! This is the A7R Mark II.
Nice, to this day i hear this camera is still awesome for photos not video of course lol. Love the videos and reviews
@@tomscameras
Do they have a AF version of this?
No. Manual lenses and AF lenses are completely different in every detail. Optics, mechanics, everything. That means if they want to make an AF lens they have to start from zero again.
The closest in terms of specification is the Sony AF 50/1.8. it’s really basic and cheap and it’s AF is very slow, but it is nice nonetheless. Here’s my review:
ua-cam.com/video/tMqCmWZjB1Q/v-deo.htmlsi=AZXRu_b0BS0t1TSG
The 7Artisans 50/1.8 also has the same specs on paper … but it is a totally different beast. It’s huge, but AF is fast and the optics are fantastic. It’s in a totally different league than the tiny TT Artisan lens! For what the 7Artisans AF lens offers, it’s a real bargain! My review is here:
ua-cam.com/video/6pIxYhSFw7E/v-deo.htmlsi=zOBTlzbnUzXZxhac
They've now released a 50mm f1.8 lens.
Vignette is strong on FF at F2.0
Yes and at far-away distances (for landscapes) sharpness at the borders and corners is low. Overall it's not perfect for full frame. On the other hand it is super low budget and very small.
The lens works very well on APS-C cameras, that's why I did a second review video on APS-C:
ua-cam.com/video/vhkK_K3I8mE/v-deo.html
@@tomscameras makes more sense for aps-c, will check the review in a bit!
Hi, somebody knows if this lens works on Sony A7ii ILCE-7M2. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE
Sure it works with the A7 II. As you can see in my video, I used an A7R II myself and there is no functional difference to any other Sony A7 body.
@@tomscameras Thnks Tom!
niceee
Thanks! 🙏
you are not afraid of scratching your LCD screen and camera body by putting the camera face up on top of the rock surface? I won't.
Well we position the cameras for the shoot with a lot of patience and care. So that there’s no damage whatsoever!