Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Best Chinese manual lenses for mirrorless APS-C?
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 3:57 am    Post subject: Best Chinese manual lenses for mirrorless APS-C? Reply with quote
Greetings.
I have finally gotten my hands on a mirrorless camera, a Sony a6000. A big upgrade from my previous Canon EF mount camera when it comes to adaptability.
The kit lens I will be selling though, it's fisheye like distortion at wide angles is something I can't get over.
I was thinking I could get one of those bright, wide angle, APS-C only Chinese lenses. I'm talking brands like Kamlan, TTartisan etc.
What are your recommendations? My budget would probably be around 100-150$, as much as I can get for the kit lens.
I was personally eyeing the TTartisan 17mm f/1.4, but I'm open to any suggestions anyone might have.
Thank you!


PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the TTArtisan 35mm f1.4 in Fujifilm X mount and I like it quite a bit, but I'm still waiting on my copy of the 17mm f1.4 to arrive on the slow boat from China. Estimated delivery is Feb 1st-25th, so it should be arriving any day. If you want to wait I'd be happy to share sample photos and thoughts after I try it out.


PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 10:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
This is an interesting question, considering the number of new lenses that came from China (and I find it hard to distinguish them sometimes, some TTArtisan, or was it 7Artisan lens even seem to perform differently based on the mount difference only...). I was contemplating some of the full frame lenses, but my main concern was the quality check, like potential decentering issues etc., people rarely talk about copy variation (probably because these lenses are so new after all). What I've noticed, based on reviews and posted images, is that the newer generation is much better than the lenses made a couple of years ago; with some exceptions. 17mm lens you mentioned seems to be quite popular and great "bang for the buck". I'm not sure you'll find something similar, such a fast wide angle lens. I know of a great fish eye lens from TTArtisan, but that doesn't make much sense on APS-C, goes above the budget and is... well, fish eye. There are many decent 35mm and 50mm lenses to choose from though, like TTArtisan 50mm F1.4 ff lens I consider buying myself (but there may be better alternatives for a smaller sensor).


PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 6:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ive got the 35mm f2, 50mm f1.1 and 8mm . All really good lenses. Don't discount the 8mm, its equivalent to 12mm on your Sony and is full frame. There's quite a lot of fisheye distortion but hey, its a fisheye. There are lots of examples here on the forum.

The lens is £119 on Amazon UK. Ridiculously cheap. I'd consider getting one as its equal to about 28mm, what I consider a standard lens.


PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The TTArtisan 50mm 1.2 is excellent, and dirt cheap.

The Zhong Yi Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 Speedmaster Mark II (not the Mark I) is magnificent. This would be my number one pick.


PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 10:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Paragon19 wrote:
I have the TTArtisan 35mm f1.4 in Fujifilm X mount and I like it quite a bit, but I'm still waiting on my copy of the 17mm f1.4 to arrive on the slow boat from China. Estimated delivery is Feb 1st-25th, so it should be arriving any day. If you want to wait I'd be happy to share sample photos and thoughts after I try it out.


The TTArtisan 17mm f1.4 just arrived. I should be able to add some samples in a day or two.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 1:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 Mark II is my sharpest lens.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 4:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Paragon19 wrote:
I have the TTArtisan 35mm f1.4 in Fujifilm X mount and I like it quite a bit, but I'm still waiting on my copy of the 17mm f1.4 to arrive on the slow boat from China. Estimated delivery is Feb 1st-25th, so it should be arriving any day. If you want to wait I'd be happy to share sample photos and thoughts after I try it out.

Thanks! I kinda know how the image quality is, thanks to Christopher Frost. I'm really just asking in case anyone here cojkd recommend lenses that are in the same standard focal length zone, but are perhaps sharper, or have some other pros. I know I can't really go wrong with the 17mm f/1.4
Have fun with it!


PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 4:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dejan wrote:
This is an interesting question, considering the number of new lenses that came from China (and I find it hard to distinguish them sometimes, some TTArtisan, or was it 7Artisan lens even seem to perform differently based on the mount difference only...). I was contemplating some of the full frame lenses, but my main concern was the quality check, like potential decentering issues etc., people rarely talk about copy variation (probably because these lenses are so new after all). What I've noticed, based on reviews and posted images, is that the newer generation is much better than the lenses made a couple of years ago; with some exceptions. 17mm lens you mentioned seems to be quite popular and great "bang for the buck". I'm not sure you'll find something similar, such a fast wide angle lens. I know of a great fish eye lens from TTArtisan, but that doesn't make much sense on APS-C, goes above the budget and is... well, fish eye. There are many decent 35mm and 50mm lenses to choose from though, like TTArtisan 50mm F1.4 ff lens I consider buying myself (but there may be better alternatives for a smaller sensor).

Yeah, not really looking for a fisheye unless it's very wide and covers the entire frame. Neber really got the appeal of circular fisheyes but to each their own. I have watched a lot of Christopher Frost reviews of the Chinese lenses and he never had one that was decentered. But iirc a lot of the lenses were sent to him by the manufacturers so they'd make damn sure the lenses are at their best.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 4:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
KEO wrote:
The TTArtisan 50mm 1.2 is excellent, and dirt cheap.

The Zhong Yi Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 Speedmaster Mark II (not the Mark I) is magnificent. This would be my number one pick.

Thanks for the tips. I have a Canon 6D mk I and some nice vintage bright 50mm lenses, so the 35mm one does not appeal to me much, unless someone can confirm it's good for IR.
The 50mm 1.2 sounds good though, I'll check it out.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 10:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I forgot about 7Artisans 12mm F2.8, seems to be a decent APS-C wide angle solution for under 150 eur. I haven't checked any reviews, but my friend is very satisfied with his copy, especially considering the price.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Fandyus wrote:

Thanks! I kinda know how the image quality is, thanks to Christopher Frost. I'm really just asking in case anyone here cojkd recommend lenses that are in the same standard focal length zone, but are perhaps sharper, or have some other pros. I know I can't really go wrong with the 17mm f/1.4
Have fun with it!


I see. When I was making my decision on those lenses my impression from reviews was that the TTartisan lenses had less sample variation and performed better overall, but that was mostly compared to similar 7artisan lenses and the Neewer 35mm f1.2. I had trouble finding options from other makers in that price range.
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Page 1 of 1