Vintage lenses have long been celebrated for their unique character and cinematic charm, captivating photographers and Hollywood filmmakers alike in recent years. Can a modern Chinese lens give the classic Soviet Helios a run for its money?
In her latest video, Lucy Lumen puts a new contender through its paces. Lumen tests the TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8 AF on her Fujifilm X-E1 at a local rose garden. Through a series of stunning flower photos, she demonstrates that the lens is able to capture light, airy images with plenty of character. The TTArtisan has the same minimum focus distance (19.6 inches / 50 cm) as the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 lens.
One of the most anticipated aspects of this lens is the bokeh. While the TTArtisan may not be exactly like the dreamlike, swirly Helios, it does have a pleasing look. Of course, the TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8 AF has one big advantage over Helios lenses - autofocus.
On Fujifilm X Series cameras, this 56mm lens has an effective 84mm focal length in full frame terms, making it ideal for portraits. As well as flowers, the video features portraits of Lumen herself in front of the lens, which show off the quality of the Chinese glass—especially given the extremely competitive price point.
So does the bokeh on TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8 AF images live up to the Helios hype? Lumen shows that it’s more than capable of producing stunning images that ooze atmosphere. As for similarities with the classic Soviet Helios, you'll have to watch the video and decide for yourself.
