Leica cameras are expensive. So are the lenses.
For a Leica owner, these expensive optical devices have a special appeal. Some Leica photographers appreciate the history and legacy of legendary lenses like 35mm Summilux or 50mm Noctilux. Others prefer to learn the unique characteristics of a particular lens and use that lens for a specific shooting situation where these characteristics make images shine. For decades, the measurable technical quality of Leica lenses has remained unsurpassed.
In the cinematic era, it was understood that if a Leica player wanted the best possible image quality, the only option was to use an authentic Leica lens. Modern computer technology has made it possible for other companies to produce lenses that compete with or surpass Leica lenses in optical performance. These days, there are companies that make lenses that cost 10-20% more than their Leica. The quality of these third-party lenses may be worse, but when you factor in the price difference and consider how you will use the final images, the difference may not matter to you. friend.
In this video, the photographer Robin Schimko check the quality and usability of TTArtisan 28mm f/5.6 Lens for Leica USA Attachment. This lens, retailing for just over $350, is a knockoff Leica Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 lens, retailed for 10 times more than the counterfeit. Robin does not make direct comparisons between lenses and does not attempt to provide a comprehensive review of this lens. Instead, he tested the TTArtisan lens as a tool for street photography on printed film. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the video is the point of view of Robin as he walks the streets of London in search of photographs to make. We see the visual noise in front of him and watch as he finds those fleeting moments worth preserving. For anyone who has walked the streets with the camera and got frustrated that there is nothing worth photographing, this insight into Robin’s photography techniques may be helpful.
Watch the video for a detailed report on Robin’s experience using the lens, including his thoughts on aperture and focus ring.
