Hmmm... I have a fun theory... a 40mm lens that is really 37mm with mechanical vignetting at some distance's makes me think this was an APSC lens design that made it into Full Frame channel.
37mm X 1.4 is right around 50mm equivalent, "standard" FF lens, X 1.5 is around 55mm equivalent, also a "standard" FF lens on an APSC.
Back in the day, the SMC Pentax DA* 60-250mm was an APSC lens that had a bit of a following, many people were doing DIY mod's to the rear baffle and using it on the K-1 Full Frame body quite successfully and had a very similar look to the vignetting on this 40mm at some focal lengths and distances.
That conveniently would explain a lot of things about this "40mm" lens I see mentioned in this thread.
Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants? Heh... it's just a theory of course, all in good fun.
RoamingScott wrote:
I have no issues with the normal vignetting the lens seems to have, but the mechanical vignette 1) seems to vary copy to copy, 2) is inconsistent in nature as to when it appears, and 3) TTA proved that they can improve/eliminate it (the whole Z 75 saga).
There are other lenses of similar FL and speed that don't exhibit the issue, so I don't personally accept that it just is what it is. As it stands, it feels like buyers of this lens are playing a copy lottery which I detest.
I don't think it's a copy variation. Vignetting tends to appear on all lenses when tested at the "same" distance. It's most noticeable at infinity, while at closer distances it's milder. You often see this with many vintage lenses that push the optical limits as well.
Erictator wrote:
Hmmm... I have a fun theory... a 40mm lens that is really 37mm with mechanical vignetting at some distance's makes me think this was an APSC lens design that made it into Full Frame channel.
37mm X 1.4 is right around 50mm equivalent, "standard" FF lens, X 1.5 is around 55mm equivalent, also a "standard" FF lens on an APSC.
Back in the day, the SMC Pentax DA* 60-250mm was an APSC lens that had a bit of a following, many people were doing DIY mod's to the rear baffle and using it on the K-1 Full Frame body quite successfully and had a very similar look to the vignetting on this 40mm at some focal lengths and distances.
That conveniently would explain a lot of things about this "40mm" lens I see mentioned in this thread.
Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants? Heh... it's just a theory of course, all in good fun.
I can fully remove the vignetting at wide apertures in post, though I usually don't, and you would not even notice the lens had heavy vignetting. Most of my subjects are at close or mid-distance, so it is less apparent. If this were truly an APS-C lens on full frame, no amount of post correction could completely fix the vignetting.
If you shoot at small apertures and the subject is at long distance, this could definitely be an issue. The vignetting can be reduced, but not completely in this case.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I don't think it's a copy variation. Vignetting tends to appear on all lenses when tested at the "same" distance. It's most noticeable at infinity, while at closer distances it's milder. You often see this with many vintage lenses that push the optical limits as well.
yeah, i just tested mine at infinity and it has it too. i like vignetting and will probably only use this at mid distance and wide aperture, so no biggie for me.
this probably means the corner bokeh won't be helped much by the thin sensor modification too.
RoamingScott wrote:
Sad that these issues are extending to Sony copies this time. The AF is completely unreliable. I'd never recommend this lens, in this state, vs the native option for any mount, simply because you cannot trust the autofocus in any regard.
I can't figure out how they knocked the 75/2 out of the park and crapped the bed so bad with the 40/2 which should have been a very similar build out.
TTA has been completely silent with me this time, and have copped to getting some not-so-good feedback from others, including on Sony. They clearly didn't do enough pre-release testing.
I'm inclined to agree, the AF on this is rough to put it mildly. I've spent some time using the v0.2 firmware and it's still wildly inconsistent. Sometimes it seems okay, other times it does the pulsing behavior and can't focus at all. Like when I tried to take a photo of my wife at f/4.5 (standing still, center of frame) it completely missed focus and gave me a blurry shot. And this happened repeatedly in different scenarios.
I'm not familiar enough with TTA to know if they'll eventually fix this, or even if it is fixable via software. But for now I'm going back to my Viltrox 28mm pancake for a fun walk around lens.
lowtek wrote:
I'm inclined to agree, the AF on this is rough to put it mildly. I've spent some time using the v0.2 firmware and it's still wildly inconsistent. Sometimes it seems okay, other times it does the pulsing behavior and can't focus at all. Like when I tried to take a photo of my wife at f/4.5 (standing still, center of frame) it completely missed focus and gave me a blurry shot. And this happened repeatedly in different scenarios.
I'm not familiar enough with TTA to know if they'll eventually fix this, or even if it is fixable via software. But for now I'm going back to my Viltrox 28mm pancake for a fun walk around lens. ...Show more →
Well that does it. I cancelled my pre-order. I'll wait until this malady is corrected.
On the A7CR, AF performance definitely hesitates a bit when the lens is stopped down. Wide open it's quick and reliable, but once you get to f/4 or smaller, AF becomes noticeably less consistent. Hopefully TTArtisan can refine this in a future update.
I shot a series in lower light, mostly wide open, with a few at f/4 and f/5. At those smaller apertures, I had more missed focus using AF.
That said, aside from the stopped-down AF reliability, I'm really impressed with this lens. The compact size and the rendering stand out to me...it isn't clinically smooth, which gives it character, something rare for an AF lens. Sharpness is more than enough, even bordering on too sharp in the critical areas.
ILCE-7CRTTARTISAN 40mm F2.0 lens40mmf/5.01/60s250 ISO-0.7 EV
ILCE-7CRTTARTISAN 40mm F2.0 lens40mmf/2.01/250s100 ISO-0.7 EV
ILCE-7CRTTARTISAN 40mm F2.0 lens40mmf/4.01/100s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRTTARTISAN 40mm F2.0 lens40mmf/2.01/125s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRTTARTISAN 40mm F2.0 lens40mmf/2.01/500s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRTTARTISAN 40mm F2.0 lens40mmf/2.01/2500s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRTTARTISAN 40mm F2.0 lens40mmf/2.01/100s100 ISO0.0 EV
Fred Miranda wrote:
On the A7CR, AF performance definitely hesitates a bit when the lens is stopped down. Wide open it's quick and reliable, but once you get to f/4 or smaller, AF becomes noticeably less consistent. Hopefully TTArtisan can refine this in a future update.
I shot a series in lower light, mostly wide open, with a few at f/4 and f/5. At those smaller apertures, I had more missed focus using AF.
That said, aside from the stopped-down AF reliability, I'm really impressed with this lens. The compact size and the rendering stand out to me...it isn't clinically smooth, which gives it character, something rare for an AF lens. Sharpness is more than enough, even bordering on too sharp in the critical areas....Show more →
Hi Fred, your comments about the character of this lens really intrigue me and as someone who loves the 35-45mm range and values character (and compactness) in my lenses, I am now even more interested in it. I currently have and use both the Sigma 45i and the VM 40 f1.2; the 45 when AF or ultimate compactness are a priority, and the 40 when I want its specific character or I need the extra stops of light.
The TT feels like it could be an ideal compromise between the two and end up permanently glued to my A7C. I know that you have shot the 45i and VM40 a lot and enjoy them both, and I'm wondering if you have had enough time with the TT yet to comment on its rendering and overall character in comparison to those other two. I appreciate any comments you might have!
Thank you for the remarks.
Stopped down..., from what on did you remark AF hesitation? 5.6 already?
Did you try it on the A7RV or A9II or III?
Same problems?
Apart from AF hesitation I like the rendering.
Fred Miranda wrote:
On the A7CR, AF performance definitely hesitates a bit when the lens is stopped down. Wide open it's quick and reliable, but once you get to f/4 or smaller, AF becomes noticeably less consistent. Hopefully TTArtisan can refine this in a future update.
I shot a series in lower light, mostly wide open, with a few at f/4 and f/5. At those smaller apertures, I had more missed focus using AF.
That said, aside from the stopped-down AF reliability, I'm really impressed with this lens. The compact size and the rendering stand out to me...it isn't clinically smooth, which gives it character, something rare for an AF lens. Sharpness is more than enough, even bordering on too sharp in the critical areas....Show more →
Thank you for the remarks.
Stopped down..., from what on did you remark AF hesitation? 5.6 already?
Did you try it on the A7RV or A9II or III?
Same problems?
Apart from AF hesitation I like the rendering.
For me starts at f/4. Wide open is the best. I'm sure TTA will able to fix this if they know about it.
Tell me, was everyone satisfied with the lens from the first purchase or did they exchange it for another copy due to a defect? Are there any statistics on returns? I would like to buy this lens, but I have no way to return it if there is a defect.
RoamingScott wrote:
You should submit your report to [email protected], that's the most responsive channel I have myself.
I just sent them the message below (feel free to use it as a template). Maybe if others email them as well, it will give them more motivation to fix it.
______________
Hello TTArtisan Team,
I wanted to share some feedback regarding the TTArtisan 40mm f/2. I’m currently using the latest firmware (.02). Autofocus performance is responsive and accurate when shooting wide open at f/2, which is great. However, when stopping the lens down (starting around f/2.8 and becoming more noticeable at f/4 and smaller apertures), AF consistency drops ... it tends to miss focus more often or struggles to lock onto subjects. This seems like it could be related to how the camera and lens communicate when less light is available for phase/contrast detection.
It would be wonderful if this could be improved in a future firmware update. I truly believe this lens has a lot of potential and would benefit from stronger AF reliability across apertures.
Thank you very much for listening and for continuing to refine your lenses.
nepali wrote:
Newly released TTArtisan 40mm f/2 looks like an interesting lens. It has an all-metal build, and, it is 7mm narrower and 1mm shorter than Sony 40G, and almost the same weight. No weather-sealing and STM focusing motor though, however, at $168, I think it will be worth it to try it. It will make a good lightweight walk-around lens for sure.
But is there support for upgrading the firmware on MacOS? All previous TTArtisan lenses I’ve look at seem to have no support for updating firmware on a MacOS device. Has that changed?
Just a suggestion: always include the camera brand, model and body firmware too.
It will be easier to test the issue.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just sent them the message below (feel free to use it as a template). Maybe if others email them as well, it will give them more motivation to fix it.
______________
Hello TTArtisan Team,
I wanted to share some feedback regarding the TTArtisan 40mm f/2. I’m currently using the latest firmware (.02). Autofocus performance is responsive and accurate when shooting wide open at f/2, which is great. However, when stopping the lens down (starting around f/2.8 and becoming more noticeable at f/4 and smaller apertures), AF consistency drops ... it tends to miss focus more often or struggles to lock onto subjects. This seems like it could be related to how the camera and lens communicate when less light is available for phase/contrast detection.
It would be wonderful if this could be improved in a future firmware update. I truly believe this lens has a lot of potential and would benefit from stronger AF reliability across apertures.
Thank you very much for listening and for continuing to refine your lenses....Show more →
I used the Lotus address sending them this message the other day:
---------------------------------------------- Dear folks at TTArtisan,
I recently bought an E-mount 40mm f2 lens from you. This was Order #15977 at your official store.
The lens arrived safe and sound yesterday. So far so good.
When using the lens I noticed some focusing problems. So, I updated the lens software to version 02.
Now when using the lens the first problems were solved but new ones appeared instead.
I use a Sony A1 and all my other autofocusing lenses (Sony, Tamron, Sigma) work well. The TTA 40/2 does not. What that happens is that when the camera is in continues AF mode (AF-C) and the lens aperture ring is set to f/4 or f/5.6 and so on the AF doesn't work. The lens focus but then it never stops to focus, the lens is pulsating back and forth around the focusing point.
This can't be right. There are some other minor quirks with the lens as well but the never stopping pulsating AF is the biggest one. To me it makes the lens unusable.
I would like to return it and get my money back due to this behavior making the lens useless for my work.
How can we proceed?...Show more →
----------------------------------------------
The above was before the weekend and i got a reply today:
---------------------------------------------- Hi Jonas
Thanks for your support and sorry for the late reply.
May I know what firmware version of your Sony A1 is? Have you try this lens on other camera?
Would you mind sending me a video to see what's wrong?
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Kind regards
TTArtisan
----------------------------------------------
To that I replied I will not provide any video. I also told them about my cameras firmware and that I won't try the lens with any other Sony camera as the A1 is all I have.
Then I directed them to this thread including some pointers to relevant posts,
