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Boutique Third Party Brands


There are a number of small lens makers who have been developing lenses particularly for modern mirrorless cameras.  Most of these (but not all) are budget, manual focus alternatives.

September 6, 2022 7Artisans Spectrum 50mm T2.0 Cine Lens Review

I’ve previously spent time reviewing 4 different 7Artisans lenses, most all of them relatively inexpensive manual-everything lenses designed for APS-C and smaller sensors.  But recently the company reached out to me and asked about the possibility of my reviewing a very different kind of lens from them – the h [Read more...]

August 23, 2022 TTArtisan 50mm F2 Review and Gallery

It was just a few months ago that I was reviewing a much more extreme instrument from TTArtisan – the 50mm F0.95.  That lens was designated for use on APS-C, but it did a reasonable job of covering the full frame image circle as well, with heavy, though correctable, vignette and just a small percentage […] [Read more...]

August 11, 2022 Techart LM-EA9 MF to AF Adapter Review and Gallery

Early on  photography was a hobby, not a career for me.  I engaged with other photographers on Flickr, a place where my collective photos have had 30 million views at this point.  In one of the Flickr communities I became aware that some photographers were getting amazing images utilizing vintage film-era lenses o [Read more...]

August 1, 2022 Meike 85mm F1.8 STM Image Gallery

Meike is one of many newer lens companies who have specialized in inexpensive manual focus lenses (though they also have a lineup of slightly higher end cine lenses).  I’ve spent time with three Meike manual focus lenses in the past, including a very inexpensive 50mm F1.7 and a more expensive 50mm F1.2.  Iȁ [Read more...]

August 1, 2022 Meike 85mm F1.8 STM Review

Meike is one of many newer lens companies who have specialized in inexpensive manual focus lenses (though they also have a lineup of slightly higher end cine lenses).  I’ve spent time with three Meike manual focus lenses in the past, including a very inexpensive 50mm F1.7 and a more expensive 50mm F1.2.  Iȁ [Read more...]

June 20, 2022 TTArtisan 50mm F0.95 Review

TTArtisan has continued to surprise me with lenses that in some way exceed my expectations.  Whether it was a surprisingly sharp full frame fisheye lens, a shockingly competent macro lens that cost right over $100, or tiny little prime lenses like the 23mm F1.4 that are surprisingly competent…and cheap.  The most [Read more...]

January 10, 2022 TTArtisan 23mm F1.4 Review

TTArtisan has started to emerge from the pack of the many newer lens makers who produce inexpensive lenses in my mind.  I’ve seen a consistent theme in the lenses that I’ve tested where their optical performance has exceeded my expectations.  In times past I would often resort to adapting vintage lenses t [Read more...]

November 22, 2021 Brightin Star 50mm F0.95 Review

Over the past few years, it has become increasingly common for what I call “Boutique Third Party” brands (small lens startups) to deliver some really interesting budget lenses.  Many of the early lenses were designed for the smaller APS-C sensor, but recently I’ve seen more of them tackle the more challeng [Read more...]