TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2

Sony E

Review

The TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 for the Sony E mount offers an excellent and affordable option for photographers seeking a bright prime lens with beautiful bokeh. This lens stands out in a market saturated with similar focal lengths, combining classic design elements with solid performance.

Crafted with a sturdy all-metal body, the TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 exudes a premium feel that makes it a pleasure to use. The lens features a 12-blade aperture, which contributes to its exceptional ability to create beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds—a characteristic that portrait photographers will appreciate. With a fast maximum aperture of f/1.2, this lens excels in low-light situations, allowing shooters to capture striking images without the need for a flash.

Despite its strengths, the lens does exhibit some distortion, especially when shooting wide open at f/1.2. This is something to keep in mind for architectural photography or any scenes where straight lines are essential. Additionally, while the manual focus provides precision, it may not appeal to those who prefer the speed of autofocus in certain shooting scenarios. This lens requires a bit of practice to master, given its shallow depth of field and potential for focus shift.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent build quality with an all-metal design
• Wide maximum aperture of f/1.2 for low-light performance
• Beautiful bokeh with a 12-blade aperture
• Great for portraiture and creative depth-of-field effects
• Affordable compared to other fast prime lenses

Cons

• Some barrel distortion, particularly at f/1.2
• Manual focus may be challenging for some users
• Slight focus shift at wider apertures

Verdict

The TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 is a fantastic addition to the Sony E mount lens lineup, especially for photographers who value a sharp image and smooth bokeh, combined with an old-school charm. While it may require a little more effort to master due to its manual focus and potential distortion, the creative possibilities it offers are well worth the trade-off. For those on a budget looking to enhance their photographic capabilities, this lens is certainly worth considering.