This $99 lens shocked me real good, TTArtisan 23mm f1.4 - RED35 Review

TTArtisan just released a 23mm f1.4 manual prime lens for micro four thirds. It comes at an interesting time when OM System just released their 20mm f1.4 Pro lens (which I also reviewed), just weeks prior. While I am not intending to compare these two lenses, but TTArtisan has a very very attractive price tag at $99! So, can this little lens perform or just for look? Oh yes, it's one of the best looking lenses in 2022 for sure!!

Support me and this channel

More info on this lens:

Affiliate Links:
UK:

US:

*** Contents of this video ***

0:00 - Video Start
0:32 - Product Shots
0:54 - Introduction
2:16 - Design & Build
3:59 - Handling
4:57 - Sample Photos Part 1
5:47 - Image Quality
6:04 - Sharpness (Central)
6:26 - Sharpness (Corners)
6:48 - Vignette
7:19 - Distortion & CA
7:43 - Bokeh
8:00 - Flare
8:27 - Focus Breathing
8:53 - Sample Photos Part 2
9:36 - Conclusion
11:08 - Outtro
11:23 - Last words

Remember to also follow us at the following links:

[valdiskrebs]

I have the TTartisan 35mm f/1.4, which I often use on my Pen-F … it is crazy sharp from f/4 to f/8. At f/1.4, at close focus, it gives dreamy close-ups of flowers. TTartisan lenses are fun to play with, especially for us old film photographers. 😎

[WSS_the_OG]

Man, I love how you speak and how you present things. You've got a fantastic and clear speaking tone, enthusiastic and genuine sounding. Great video by the way, I was totally "eying" up this lens! You've helped bring things into "focus" for me. :)

[gregorypease]

Another great review, Jimmy, and I agree 100% with your thoughts on this little gem. I bought one for my APSC system, and was surprised by just how good the images it makes are. For my PenF, I have the 7Artisans 25mm/0.95, which also delivers interesting and nice rendering, and that ultra-fast opening is great fun for shallow DOF and creamy toneh (sic), but the TTArtisan 23mm/1.4 is optically superior overall, even with both lenses stopped down to f/2.8. With the larger APSC sensor, corner sharpness is just a bit more of an issue, but it's still more than adequate for real world shooting other than architecture or landscapes where we might want edge to edge sharpness. It's amazing that a sub-$100 lens can perform so well. Now, I suppose I need to get one for my Oly system... We're really spoiled by lens choices, these days, aren't we?

[awake]

Fantastic images and great review, Jimmy.

[christiandumontphotography]

Thank you very much for this convincing presentation of this lens. I plan to buy it together with Fuji X-E4. I think it can be an interesting combo.

[forneverarrow]

Very nice video (and photography) my friend! I think you have a valid point about this lens. It's, purely, a photographic lens with nice vintage aesthetic and rendering (for those of us that appreciates such a thing). I bought it for my Sony α6000, basically due to nostalgia (i learned photography on 80s film cameras). My native Sony 18-105 F4 G, though a dependable photographic tool, is too corrected and clinically sharp for the type of shots i love to take. And most of the modern primes too (i tested the Zeiss Touit 32/1.8, the Sigma 30/1.4 and the Sony 35/1.8, all of them great yet too corrected). Other options, like Laowa Argus 25/0.95 or Meike 25/0.95 are in the same league but too heavy and big and the Voigtlander 21/1.4 and 35/1.4 Classic, both amazing yet very expensive and, the most important, are Full Frame glasses, so the DoF markings are useless on APS-C bodies...

TTArtisan 23mm/1.4 is a very interesting and rare example of a lens: APS-C native (46mm on MFT), vintage built, small and light and with the right amount of corrections (sharper than truly vintage lenses but less clinical than other modern primes). It's not for pixel peepers, nor for hardcore landscape or architecture photography but for those who want to shoot anything, with a back to basics approach!

[michaelbruchas]

Now ANOTHER lens to buy for my mft cameras!

[irishrose]

Nice review! Seems like a great entry level lens!

[filipmichalsaffray]

Hey Jimmy,
Was right about it, I got it yesterday. It is really an amazing lens for the price much better than pergear or 7artisan 25mm Wich are in the same price range.
I do mostly multicam video and for a B, C cam with fix focus it is great focus breathing is overrated feature if you have a fix lens B, C cam anyway and I love TTartisan lens got 50, 23, 17, 35 and for far the best price value...for multicam purpose best I could get for MFT...they got all a special look.
I am as well a big fan of vintage lens like first gen vivitar 70-210 or FD canon on MFT...maybe not clean like modern Lens but something else and totally usable even in modern setup.
Love you channel even if I am more into video...
A bientot
Fil

[rafsilva]

Thanks a lot for the video m, I have a xt100 and I was on a crossroads on buying or not, your vídeo convinced me, ttartisan should sponsor you, once again thanks and wish all success in the world

[MrFirstdance]

Loved this presentation, sir! London suits you, greatly! I'm wondering if you are having an internal evolution of shooting due to the Architectural haven you reside in?

[extremelydave]

Well Jimmy, I think you have just hurt my wallet. I've got to have this little gem!! For the price, as you said, everyone should have one to play with!! I am VERY surprised at the quality of the bokeh balls....really nice!! Thanks for a great review!!!

[fr.timotheoskozaki]

Hi, Jimmy! Thanks for your review on the lens!
In this point, unfortunately, I haven't used my copy of same lens yet! It is at post office. It may come today!
Anyway, this lens has good reputation, so I'm excited to shoot with this lens!!
This 23mm is really peculiar and interesting focal length. This is because it was made first for APS-C. But I recently learnt that the focus angle of view is 50 degrees. And for Fourthirds sensor, the standard focal length is not 25mm, but 24mm. So this TTartisan's 23mm is the other side of "standard" range relative to 25mm!
Actually I love to use also vintage lenses, so this lens may fit my use!

[BeingWolfy]

Really nice looking lens with those silver accents.

[BojanBojovic]

For M43 it works well, for Fuji APS-C it is very soft in the corners. Not that it is that important overall and in this price range, but it is there.

[AlpacoFilms]

Fantastic review! I received mine a few weeks ago but I've been too sick to actually enjoy it. However, from the times I've been able to play with it is very fun and great to use!

[Waltkat]

I wanted to get this lens in M4/3 but can't find it in all black. Well, at least not on Amazon.

[seanmangan]

Nice lens! Thank you for the review.
How are you feeling lately?

[ZumbaoBNW]

Hi Jimmy!
I know that you say that this is your favorite TTartisan lense, but how do it perform compared with the 17mm?

I have the impression that the 17mm is a bit sharper, but it is just based on my "real life" experience with the 17mm in my MFT camera. Maybe I'm wrong.

I have a vintage 28mm, and for the moment I'm ok with that, but this 23 looks awsome and would fit with my silver GX9 😊

[stephenmason]

Sorry Jimmy it looks like an old second hand Panagor lens from the 60s?