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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.

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...]

November 21, 2021 Brightin Star 50mm F0.95 Image Gallery

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...]

September 27, 2021 NiSi 15mm F4 ASPH Review

NiSi has historically been a company that has made filters for other people’s lenses, and a search of their products shows a lot of filters with very high reviews.  But at some point they clearly decided that their optical glass expertise could just as easily go into the construction of lenses themselves, which has re [Read more...]

September 18, 2021 NiSi 15mm F4 ASPH Image Gallery

NiSi has historically been a company that has made filters for other people’s lenses, and a search of their products shows a lot of filters with very high reviews.  But at some point they clearly decided that their optical glass expertise could just as easily go into the construction of lenses themselves, which has pr [Read more...]

August 31, 2021 TTArtisan 40mm F2.8 1:1 Macro Review and Gallery

Macro seems to be the new thing among the smaller, boutique brands coming out of China.  The TTArtisan 40mm F2.8 1:1 Macro (which we’ll call the TTArtisan 40M for brevity) is the second such 1:1 macro lens that has come across my desk in the past month.  Like all of the TTArtisan lenses to this […] [Read more...]