Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In today’s episode, I review the TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4 lens on a Leica M6 shooting exclusively on film. This lens is designed as an inexpensive but high-quality alternative to Leica’s 35mm Summilux. It looks and feels almost exactly like the Summilux FLE introduced in 2010 despite costing only around 550 Euro - so a fraction of the 5.000 Euro of a new Leica Summilux.
In reality, it is more likely to compete with alternatives such as the 35mm Voigtländer Nokton f/1.4 which is significantly smaller and costs around 650 Euro or the Carl Zeiss Distagon f/1.4 which comes in at around 1.600 Euro. Naturally, it also competes with vintage Leica lenses which can be quite a bargain sometimes. For a potential buyer, the big question remains: Can such a made in China alternative live up to the feel and quality of a professional Leica lens or at least feel nicely without making painful compromises with respect to optical performance? Let’s find out.
More about the TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4 for Leica M mount:
ttartisan.myshopify.com/products/ttartisan-35mm-f1-4-full-fame-lens-for-leica-m-mount-cameras
Gear used:
Leica M6 with
TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4 (for Leica M mount)
Films used:
Ilford FP4
Ilford Delta 400
Kodak Portra 400
If you enjoy our videos, consider following us on Instagram or TikTok:
instagram.com/analog_insights
tiktok.com/@analog_insights
In today’s episode, I review the TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4 lens on a Leica M6 shooting exclusively on film. This lens is designed as an inexpensive but high-quality alternative to Leica’s 35mm Summilux. It looks and feels almost exactly like the Summilux FLE introduced in 2010 despite costing only around 550 Euro - so a fraction of the 5.000 Euro of a new Leica Summilux.
In reality, it is more likely to compete with alternatives such as the 35mm Voigtländer Nokton f/1.4 which is significantly smaller and costs around 650 Euro or the Carl Zeiss Distagon f/1.4 which comes in at around 1.600 Euro. Naturally, it also competes with vintage Leica lenses which can be quite a bargain sometimes. For a potential buyer, the big question remains: Can such a made in China alternative live up to the feel and quality of a professional Leica lens or at least feel nicely without making painful compromises with respect to optical performance? Let’s find out.
More about the TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4 for Leica M mount:
ttartisan.myshopify.com/products/ttartisan-35mm-f1-4-full-fame-lens-for-leica-m-mount-cameras
Gear used:
Leica M6 with
TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4 (for Leica M mount)
Films used:
Ilford FP4
Ilford Delta 400
Kodak Portra 400
If you enjoy our videos, consider following us on Instagram or TikTok:
instagram.com/analog_insights
tiktok.com/@analog_insights
