TTartisan releases super sub-$100 50mm f/1.2 lens in Leica L and Nikon Z flavors

TTartisan
(Image credit: TTartisan)

An f/1.2 lens for less than $100? You read that right – and now TTartisan has released versions of its fantastic-value manual TTartisan 50mm f/1.2 lens for Leica L and Nikon Z mount cameras.

The Chinese optics manufacturer, known along with similar company 7artisans for its decent budget-priced manual primes, originally released the lens late last year for Canon EF-M, Fuji X, Micro Four Thirds and Fuji X mount systems, priced at just $98 (approximately £70 / AU$126). A far cry from the $2,399 / £2,389 / AU$3,249 of lenses like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM

• Read more: Best 50mm lens

TTartisan's 50mm f/1.2 lens is constructed of seven elements in five groups, uses a 10-blade aperture diaphragm and has a minimum focusing distance of 50cm (20in). It measures 60mm (2.36in) long and 62mm (2.44in) in diameter, weighs 336g (11.85oz) and has a front filter thread of 52mm.

The TTartisan 50mm f/1.2 has a certain retro appeal and features a compact and portable design. The new versions will give Leica L, Sigma FP, Lumix S and Nikon Z camera owners an affordable option for a super-fast f/1.2 prime lens. 

It would be asking too much of a sub-$100 prime lens to feature autofocus, but most mirrorless cameras have the ability to use focus peaking, highlighting areas of the frame that are in focus and making manual focusing much more intuitive.

According to DP Review the new versions are already available direct from TTartisan's online shop although the company has yet to confirm a price for UK customers.

Read more: 

Fastest lenses: break the speed limit with the fastest glass
Best Nikon Z lenses: the best glass for your Nikon DSLR or Z system
Best Leica SL lenses: a guide to the full Leica SL range
7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro

Laurence McJannet

Laurence is an NCTJ-trained journalist with nearly 20 years' editorial experience gained on a wide range of publications, from The Beirut Times in Lebanon to The Sunday Times, and including recent freelance engagements with Future's cycling and automotive portfolios, Outdoor Fitness, and The English Home. He has recently been undertaking a sports broadcast journalism MA at Southampton Solent, gaining valuable TV and radio experience, and am currently videographer for Frome Town FC soccer team. He is the author of Bikepacking (Wild Things Publishing, 2016).