The TT Artisan 50mm F1.2 is a very popular lens among filmmakers, mainly due to its excellent image quality and low price. But how does it compare to another fan favorite: the more expensive Leica R 50mm?
I decided to compare these two lenses because they are both viable options for filmmakers on a budget. Of course, none of them are dedicated movie lenses, but they have appeared in many movie scenes in recent years.
The Leica R 50mm can now be purchased on the used market for around $500 to $700, which is relatively affordable for quality vintage glass. I was lucky enough to get one for a lot less a few years ago, but now they are in demand again.
The TT Artisan 50mm lens is cheaper at about $100, a price you can buy brand new from the factory.
But new vs. used lenses aside, the two lenses aren’t all that different.
They have the same focal length, both have full manual controls, and each has a similar analog aesthetic – even the more modern TT Artisan.
I plan on using one of these two lenses on an upcoming narrative shoot, so I wanted to share the results of a test shoot below. Hope it will be helpful to the majority of market people!
All test images below were shot with my Fuji X-T4.
Build quality
Both the TT Artisan 50mm and the Leica R 50mm are well made, but subjectively the Leica R lens does feel sturdier. It feels heavier in the hand and the controls/loops lock into place better than the TT Artisan.
But actually, these lenses have a lot in common in their construction. They are nearly the same size, are made of real metal, and operate very similarly.
One notable difference is that the Leica has a smaller 44mm thread for lens filters, while the TT Artisan uses 52mm filters. Additionally, the Leica R has 6 aperture blades, while the TT Artisan has 9 aperture blades, which we’ll talk more about later.
Aperture & Brightness
One of the advantages of the TT Artisan lens is that it is faster than the Leica R.
The TT Artisan opens all the way to F1.2, giving you an extra two stops above the Leica F2 aperture. This can be a key factor depending on the type of material you’re shooting.
That said, even in F2 racing, the Leica R is still great. This is much faster than many other lenses in its class, and certainly fast enough for most low-light scenes.
One interesting thing I noticed is that the TT Artisan is about half a stop brighter than the Leica when the same aperture is set in the same lighting conditions. So not only is it faster on paper, but it also seems to collect more light in real-world scenes…
It’s small, but take a look –
clarity
This is an area where we found significant differences between the two lenses.
I wouldn’t call either lens “soft”, but there’s no doubt that the TT Artisan is much softer than the Leica R – especially wide open.
But even when you turn the TT Artisan lens down to F4 (near its sweet spot), it’s nowhere near as sharp as the Leica R’s. You can click full screen to view the differences.
As you can see in the next example below, the Leica R also has better edge definition than the TT Artisan.
Obviously, the Leica R lenses are sharper than the TT Artisan at every aperture, but the TT Artisan is still very capable.
Some people prefer a softer look, especially when trying to mitigate the effects of ultra-high-resolution digital capture formats, so you might even seek out softer lenses as a creative option.
But for me, the Leica R is the clear winner. It’s sharp while still remaining natural, which is part of what gives it a true vintage flavour.
minimum focus
Both lenses claim a minimum focal length of 20 inches, which is pretty good for shooting. 50mm focal length. This won’t get you extremely tight macro shots, but it will cover just about anything else – including close-ups and portrait-style shots.
However, when testing the two lenses side by side, the Leica R is slightly closer to the TT Artisan. I estimate another 4 inches is needed, which will be helpful when you need it.
Interestingly, the Leica R is also produced with a slightly tighter frame. Check out the image below taken from the exact same location –
Between its narrow field of view and closer minimum focus distance, the Leica R gets you even closer to your subject. But in the real world, the difference is negligible, and I certainly wouldn’t choose either lens because of this difference.
focus throw
Both lenses are really designed for shooting stills, so neither has the long focal length of a dedicated cine lens.
However, the Leica R does have a longer range than the TT Artisan. I estimate it will be about 25% – 30% longer. This is important if you plan to mount a follow focus unit to a lens and use it with specialized equipment.
But for my purposes, I actually like the shorter focal length of the TT Artisan 50mm. Unlike many filmmakers, I don’t plan to use lenses on my rig. In fact, my goal is exactly the opposite – Keeping my gear as small and discreet as possible.
If I weren’t using a dedicated follow focus, I’d rather use a shorter focal length to make it easier when pulling straight from the barrel.
Bokeh and Flare
The Leica R 50mm has 6 aperture blades, while the TT Artisan 50mm has 9.
Below are two side-by-side images for comparison, one from each shot –
The Leica R produces a softer, more detailed bokeh effect, while the TT Artisan appears sharper and stiffer.
In the example above, both lenses are set to F4 for consistency. But at almost any aperture value, you’ll notice the difference to a greater or lesser extent.
I also find that the TT Artisan lens is more prone to flare than the Leica R lens. Here’s a side-by-side comparison –
color quality
Both lenses offer excellent color quality, but the TT Artisan is definitely more neutral than the Leica R.
Depending on what you’re shooting, the TT Artisan may have an advantage over the Leica R as it captures a more accurate and cleaner look in camera. The Leica R has a green cast, which is something you may need to correct in post.
That said, color accuracy isn’t always what we’re looking for.
take Ari Alex For example, its colors are not as accurate as many other brands (such as Sony), but they are also more pleasing to the eye. Color quality is very subjective, so there is no right or wrong.
When I look at the two (unedited) images above side by side, I prefer the Leica R image. The colors may not be technically perfect, but they feel organic and vibrant. Colors are more vivid and saturation is more natural.
TT Artisan vs. Leica: Final Thoughts
The TT Artisan 50mm F1.2 and Leica R 50mm F2 performed quite well in all scenarios. Of course, each has its pros and cons, but the overall difference between the two is minimal. Especially when you consider that we’re comparing high-end vintage lenses to lower-end modern lenses.
The most obvious technical difference between the two is in the sharpness department (where the Leica has a big advantage), followed by their distinctly different bokeh effects.
I own both lenses myself, so I would choose to shoot with the Leica R 50mm over the TT Artisan in most situations.
The performance and natural beauty that Leica offers are hard to ignore. Sure, shooting at F1.2 is great, but the extra two stops aren’t a make-or-break factor for me.
But for those on a budget, I would shoot with the TT Artisan 50mm without hesitation. Personally, despite the subjective advantages of the Leica, I feel very confident using it on any type of project.
What are your thoughts on these two lenses? Please leave a comment below!
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