TTartisans 40mm f/2

[Markuswelder]

The Lumix 35mm f/1.8 is my favourite Lumix prime, and I even have the 50mm f/1.4 PRO...

The 35mm is so good that I use it to photograph works of art, like paintings, etchings, etc. And for video it is just perfect. Underrated lens...

Yeah I've had my eye on the Lumix 35 for ages now, I'm pretty sure I've even commented on the colour and contrast of some of your shots that you've posted, one popped up at a good price so I jumped. $870 Australian delivered to my door, brand new Australian stock, I've been watching the progress of the TT since it was first announced for L mount, just poor timing for the 40mm f2 I guess.
I've got the Canon 40mm f2.8 pancake I use on an adaptor that I really really like, I'll still be quite interested to see how the TT performs in the real world mind you.

 

[xaviergut]

Amazon Spain now has a product page for it and states shipping in two to three days with delivery expected between the sixth and thirteenth of October. I take from that that stock is imminent. I'll likely place an order on Monday.

In the Pergear shop is available between 4 and 9 working days (for Austria):

TTArtisan 40mm f/2 Full-Frame STM+ AF Autofocus Compact Lightweight Lens for E/Z/L

Experience the perfect fusion of heritage craftsmanship and modern innovation. The TTArtisan 40mm f/2 redefines compact full-frame primes with fast autofocus, combined ASPH and ED lenses, and a featherweight aluminum build, ideal for portraits, events, and street photography. Aircraft-Grade...

www.pergear.com

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

Yeah I've had my eye on the Lumix 35 for ages now, I'm pretty sure I've even commented on the colour and contrast of some of your shots that you've posted, one popped up at a good price so I jumped. $870 Australian delivered to my door, brand new Australian stock, I've been watching the progress of the TT since it was first announced for L mount, just poor timing for the 40mm f2 I guess.
I've got the Canon 40mm f2.8 pancake I use on an adaptor that I really really like, I'll still be quite interested to see how the TT performs in the real world mind you.

I also have the EF 40/2.8 which I've used on the S5 - I will make sure to do a comparison once I get the 40/2.

The product page on Amazon has jumped to 13 to 14 days for sending with arrival now estimated between the 21st and 28th of October...

 

[JohnnyMauser]

I also have the EF 40/2.8 which I've used on the S5 - I will make sure to do a comparison once I get the 40/2.

I am looking forward! I use the ef 35mm f2 as lightweicht casual, and am throwing my sticky eyeball this even lighter alternative

 

[pdk42]

I love my Sigma 35/2 i Series. I’m sure the Panasonic 35/1.8 is every bit as good. But neither is particularly compact. On any of the “full size” bodies I’m not sure that matters, but I guess on the fp, BF, or S9 this TTArtisan makes a lot of sense.

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

I ordered the TTArtisan 40mm f/2 this morning, but Amazon places the delivery any time between the 29th of October and the 5th of November. I waited a while to see if availability changed to "in stock" with quick delivery but that doesn't seem to be happening. It should arrive in time for a family trip to London at the beginning of November, so if that happens I'll be able to give it a try there.

 

[xaviergut]

I ordered the TTArtisan 40mm f/2 this morning, but Amazon places the delivery any time between the 29th of October and the 5th of November. I waited a while to see if availability changed to "in stock" with quick delivery but that doesn't seem to be happening. It should arrive in time for a family trip to London at the beginning of November, so if that happens I'll be able to give it a try there.

In the meantime:

 

[sergun80]

 

[pdk42]

Having read the Phillip Reeve review, I can't see me replacing my Sigma 35/2 with this any time soon!

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

I don't think there's any way I'd get rid of my 35/2 but the 40mm will take it's place for international travel I think.

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

My 40mm arrived last night, earlier than expected. I haven't had much time to try it out but it seems decent. Here are a few photos to show how it looks on the camera and get an idea of the size - it's certainly the smallest L-mount lens I have, about the size of a typical vintage 50mm f/1.4.


Lumix S5 with TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Lumix S5 with TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Lumix S5 with TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

I haven't had much time to use it yet but it seems decent in the centre wide open. Focus is not completely silent but is quiet and quick but so far a little problematic. I have tried it on zone focusing in a central square and it has a tendency to confirm focus when what's within that square is totally out of focus, at least when trying to focus on something close to the camera. Below are the type of shots I'm talking about, which are all I've had time to do so far.

For any where the focused area is not in the centre I used either focus and recompose or I shifted the focus area. I didn't notice any difference in results between the two methods.


Autumn by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Small flowers by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Autumn II by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Worn bark by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

This last one was focused without problems.


Autumn carpet by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

Build quality seems very good, nice and solid. Manual focus is smoother than that of my Lumix S lenses but so smooth as my Sigma Art and I-Series lenses, but still nice. The focus ring requires more force to move than my I-series lenses but that's not really a bad thing and it's not too much and the clicks are nice. All in all it feels good and not at all cheap.

I have read opposing statements online over whether the hood is metal or plastic. It's metal, but the part that locks onto the lens is plastic and the two parts are attached with screws in exactly the same way as the hoods for my two Viltrox X-mount lenses. The hood follows the design of a number of other hoods from the recently-emerged Chinese brands in that it's clearly far shorter than it should be for the focal length of the lens and so it's effectiveness will not be optimal. It looks like it's for an ultra-wide lens. I can only assume this is a cost-saving method but given how well-designed everything else is it seems like a shame.

As you can see, bokeh can be very busy, but to be fair these are all shots with complex backgrounds such as leaves or branches so any lens would struggle.

 

[CharlesH]

... so far a little problematic. I have tried it on zone focusing in a central square and it has a tendency to confirm focus when what's within that square is totally out of focus, at least when trying to focus on something close to the camera.

That's unusual. Is the camera set to Focus Priority?

This lens is still not available in L Mount in the U.S. It seems to be a couple weeks out (E mount is available). Any update on focus issues is appreciated.