TTArtisan APS-C 23mm f/1.4 : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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Giion

sent on 11 Gennaio 2023

Pros: Sharp enough even at full opening, versatile (small minimum focus distance), excellent manual focus (smooth and well dumped), only metal and glass, reliable and solid as a tank.

Cons: None at this price/quality ratio

Opinion: The focal length is very versatile, as well as the minimum focus distance. Nice bokeh, so it is even suitable for portraits that need a large and blurred environment. Suitable for low light situations. A prime lens that could be weld on the mount flange. For this focal length no need for autofocus, so the major drawback, the lack of AF, could be in turn an advantage.

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

DomenicoZauber

sent on 24 Agosto 2025

Pros: Materials, construction, dimensions, defects (in specific cases), price

Cons: Impressive field curvature, sharpness, laborious focusing, (quality control?)

Opinion: Premise: version for NIKON Z, maybe on other mounts it is better? From other reviews comes a bit this suspicion, or that I have happened to have a faulty specimen. Paid used at 60 euros. In any case, the metal construction (it's small but heavy!), the rings that move well, the aperture are appreciable. The flare or ghosting that many complain about are actually quite contained and visible only at certain angles with respect to the light source which, in many cases, does not disturb even if it hits the front lens directly. The optical defects, however, are many and considerably limit its use, above all the curvature of the field: never seen such a thing in any other lens, not even in very old wide-angles for analog reflexes. In short, for long-distance subjects up to f/5.6 the images are almost unusable, in fact the sharpness has a "wave" trend: focusing in the center of the frame (note: in this case the focus will not be at infinity), it is there on the edges, missing in the middle areas and returns to the center; Focusing in the middle area (note: in this case the focus is at infinity, i.e. at the end of the focus ring), there is almost the opposite behavior with especially the center remaining out of focus. Focusing in the center and closing to f/8, the image is sharp on almost the entire frame, remaining a little blurred only at the extreme corners, *provided* that you focus with great precision (as mentioned, the focus will not be at infinity), which is anything but easy because it takes very little to get the exact point of focus wrong and you must also use the maximum magnification to reach the precision required not to blur. At f/16 there is diffraction. For subjects placed at two meters things are a little better for the curvature of field, as long as you focus on the middle part and not the center: doing the test on a library and closing at least at f/2.8-f/4 the image is sharp on most of the frame as long as you use this precaution, focusing in the center, on the other hand, the middle part around the center will be blurred. Finally, at full aperture all these defects are even more evident with the aggravating circumstance that the sharpness remains mediocre even where you choose to focus (including the center of the image). So in summary: the only aperture that can be used for good results (including landscapes) is f/8. At wider apertures, the defects can be interesting for portraiture or photos with a vintage or conceptual character, also because the blur is not bad.

Jano52

sent on 10 Ottobre 2023

Pros: Construction: all metal and glass, fluid maf ferrule, pleasant vitage appearance. The price.

Cons: F-sharpness: less than 8, vignetting, very noticeable CA, flare that cancels contrast, awkward aperture ring.

Opinion: I acquired this optics aware that the general yield would not be high. Unfortunately it turns out to be almost unusable for photos that can be called such. I tried it for a long time on Alfa 6000 and . . . Very heavy and extensive vignetting that is reduced a little closing otre f: 5.6. The resolution and micro contrast do not exist almost up to f: 4, closing again, the optical yield improves (slightly) only in the center of the picture. Not excessive distortion (ok in p.p.). But be careful, woe to include in the frame any light source: be it the sun or a small lamppost: flare and ghost images make their entrance massively. So I wonder: what is the point of buying such a bright lens if then, in practice it is acceptable (with the heavy limits above) only with closed apertures? The attractive price does not justify such a choice. Better an "old" Takumar 20 mm, also excellent in T.A. I don't know what grade to give.

GabrieleFrasca

sent on 11 Giugno 2023

Pros: Price, maf, construction, sharpness, perfect focal length on aps-c

Cons: For the price at which it is sold I would say only the metal cap

Opinion: I paid this lens 120€ out of curiosity and to try the 23mm 1.4. I must say that I am quite satisfied. At full aperture it is a bit soft but nothing unwatchable, instead from f2 up to f5.6 it acquires a really impressive sharpness and then begins to drop from f8 to f16. The flare is not excessive, I expected worse and the slight vignetting and the barrel effect are easily correctable in post. The maf is really a pleasure with the FP, it really focuses with ease and precision. Lens for a calm and thoughtful type of photography such as portraits, street, a little less for landscapes. For the price at which it is sold I do not think you can ask for more

Roberto.d

sent on 11 Maggio 2023

Pros: Robust, very compact, very versatile focal length, focus at 20 cm

Cons: awkward aperture ring, flare

Opinion: The versatility of this focal length, its compactness and robustness make this lens a true travel companion for any situation. I mount it more and more often on my Fuji XT-20 instead of the 18-55 zoom for my motorcycle trips and I have a lot of fun, enjoying a more reasoned approach to composition. I find that it has a good sharpness even if it suffers a bit too much from backlighting. I highly recommend it, especially to amateurs like me, not for a professional who needs speed and certainty of the result. I find the aperture ring on the outermost part of the barrel a bit uncomfortable, I often move it inadvertently by adjusting the focus. The infinity focus doesn't match the limit switch, but you have to hold it back a bit. On the other hand, the focus already at only 20 cm allows very close shots, very welcome. Rating 8.5

MaurizioRosato

sent on 28 Dicembre 2022

Pros: Construction , sharpness, vintage look to my taste , blurred

Cons: distortion , but there is

Opinion: I gave 10 to this lens because the value for money makes it really a must have, excellent blurred with the detachment of the subject, the focus 20 cm allows you to do creative things, I'm using it for about 1 week and I fell in love with this focal length that was missing from my kit, Excellent for landscape, street, reportage and , by virtue of the opening and the detachment of the plans also for the portrait. Good sharpness at TA closing already a few stops becomes excellent

user213929

sent on 07 Maggio 2022

Pros: multipurpose focal length, good TA sharpness, excellent vignetting for the portrait, contained diffraction, excellent result at f8 for street, warm colors.

Cons: low distortion when used for landscape

Opinion: lens purchased to detach the subject from the background in the self-portrait at TA with a minimum focusing distance below 20 cm, with an angle of view useful for creating creative compositions and managing with the flippable screen in posing , having this macro ability it becomes extremely easy to pose and manage the maf with one hand while posing in front of the camera in the self-portrait . I shot some videos and I was thrilled, less than the ibis of the xs10, it was better the xt-4.. having said that with a steady hand you create very filmic videos, it has warm shades and a sharpness not to be underestimated, for me it is a must have for those who have fuji, the color and engraving of the xtrans on this lens make it well, obvious if you mount on a sensor that creates veiled and little engraved files, it is not enhanced. for me vote 10 considering the ratio , quality-price . with the money saved for the viltrox , I put in the kit an xpro 1 with this fixed lens.