The Kamlan really shines when used as as video/cinema lens. My main cinema lenses are adapted/converted Nikon F, Ai, and AI-S lenses. My only Fuji-X mount lenses are the Kamlan 21 and the 7Artisan 35 2.0 Sonnar.
Thanks for your comment. Yes the Kamlan's clickless aperture is good for video and I really love the sharpness of this lens also. Maybe the small issues with light scatter etc. are even welcome for a bit of a cinematic look. And you can never go wrong with a nice set of Nikkor manual focus lenses! ❤️
I just had to comment again, because I got a hold of this lens for my Fuji, and it BLOWS MY MIND ! I've no idea why nobody is talking about the Kamlan 21mm - it's absolutely amazing !? Thank you again for your insightful review, as I had no idea this lens existed until I subscribed to your channel, and stumbled upon this video. I've found the lens to be sharp edge-to-edge from f5.6, plenty sharp wide open at f1.8, it has a super-useful close-focus distance & perfectly good bokeh, and best of all 21mm turns out to be a fantastic focal length for general walk-about images. THANKS ! 🏆🤩 Paul
Thanks for your comment! Yes, for some reason Kamlan lenses are a bit under the radar ... the first one they ever made was the 50/1.1 and that got some coverage, but since then no one seems to talk about these. Of all the lenses I used so far, the Kamlan 21/1.8 still is the sharpest of all the third party manual focus lenses in this focal length range (21-25mm)!
@@tomscameras Totally agree - particularly when it comes to reliable sharpness in the corners 🤩 Thanks again for your helpful review and bringing this gem of a lens to our attention, great work 🏆
Yes!! Thank you for reviewing the Kamlan 21mm. Finally. I noticed this lens 2 years ago and pretty much nobody talked about it during all this time. Glad you've made a comparison with the other 2 lenses as well. This has solidified my opinion on the lens, which I think is really worth it, so I finally feel safe to purchase it. 21mm is such an interesting focal length on APS-C. I thought I had fallen in love with it after seeing pictures shot with this Kamlan on flickr. It's a 32mm FF equivalent, which is a bit wider than the standard 35mm, so it gives a bit more "air" and space to the shots while it's still not as wide as a 28mm.
Hi Thomas. Enjoy your videos very much. I’ve told you before that your reviews on other TTArtisan lenses got me into a spiral of manual lenses that has brought back the joy of photography. My 23mm 1.4 is almost corner to corner sharp from f2 and absolutely sharp after f2.8. I’m on an Olympus EM5-2 so maybe the soft wide open corners are cropped out of the equation. The same is also true with the 35mm 1.4 and 50mm 1.2. My small bag can happily hold the camera with 3 or 4 tiny lenses, just like how it used to be in the 1980’s 😎
Hi Adey! Many thanks for your feedback again! I appreciate that a lot. To have fun with photography, is the most important thing! And I agree that 3-4 small (and inexpensive) lenses like these can be so much fun to use! As you might know, I shoot a lot analog cameras as well, and yes the Fuji with TT Artisan lenses creates a very similar shooting experience! I also love that! Wish you a nice time and great photos!
I have one. The build quality feel in hand is really great. Though in use... it annoys me due to dull color rendering and I think other issues. I'm not good at explaining it because I don't use the lens much. 21mm is a great focal length though
Thanks for your feedback. I do understand that sometimes it just doesn't "click" with a specific lens even though you can't really point your finger to what exactly is wrong or off!
I asked the chef in the house :) but I'm sorry, the answer is: we don't remember it anymore! It was probably with soja, mirin and garlic, something like that. Inspired by Japanese quisine.
Great review and I really appreciate you and your time in putting this together! Bravo. This has been so very helpful for me in choosing a lens to replace a Pergear 25mm 1.8 with. Peace.
Hello Tom, Many thanks for the video, Cologne looks lovely. My wife and I visited Dresden about 4 years ago, and visited the old Pentacon factory, which is now a Technical Museum, and also the former site where Exaktas were built. We had a light lunch in the Ernemann Tower, at the top, which is a cafe, and gives a lovely 360 degree view of Dresden. Is there a chance of some more vintage equipment reviews please?.
Hello Peter, oh that sounds a fantastic trip. I really have to visit these places and also the Ernemann tower once as well! And yes, I'm also very busy shooting some vintage cameras and some videos about these will be coming up in the next time. Many thanks for your comment and feedback!
Thomas- Glad I found your channel for many reasons. I have a Rokinon 21mm thats bigger and this lens looks very enticing!! Sorry to get off this subject but I like your handgrip on your X-E3. I'd like to know where you purchased that as I have the same camera and my hands are to big for this camera without one. Thank you! I look forward to many more videos from you!!
Hey Kevin! It’s the Meike handgrip for the X-E3. Sadly, it seems it’s available no longer on Amazon. Anyway, below is the link, it’s my original Amazon Affiliate link that I once placed on one of my product review videos. Maybe it helps you to find an alternative supplier or a similar product. Maybe you can also look out for a used original Fuji handgrip for the X-E3. The original one is very expensive when new but maybe much less so when you get it used. amzn.to/3tI9a5X
Hi, nice comparison. I own two of the thee lenses (Kamlan, TTArtisan). And what I found out is, that Kamlan doesn't measure the minimum focus distance from the sensor, but from the front of the lens. That's also the reason why it can't get macro like close to the subject but only up to a approx. 1:5 magnification. Still pretty close for a wide angle though.
Thanks for your feedback! I wonder if there's some sort of sample variation? The copy of the 21/1.8 that I reviewed was definitely able to focus closer than 12 centimetres from the front lens element. But as the focal length is only 21mm, even close focusing like this won't make it a real "macro" lens, yes!
This is interesting as one of the reasons I'm considering this over the ttartisans is the closer focus ability. I hope it's only your version and not a misleading spec sheet
@@tomscameras I purchased this lens and measured the close focus distance and it's definitely 12cm from the front of the lens and not the sensor plane. Still a good distance but disappointed that they are using false advertising
@@andrew_veale Thanks for your information. It's really weird as those measurements are so easy to reproduce, thus it doesn't make sense for the manufacturers to cheat!
You are right, my testing is not like on an optical bench. When I talk about sharpness I also talk about my general experience when I use these lenses. So I didn’t notice any special problem in the top left corner, thus maybe it was only in the brick wall shot because maybe I didn’t align myself perfectly in that case.
Hi Tom, thanks for the interesting review) Can I get your opinion on sharpness at infinity from Kamlan and Ttartisan? I understand that you can hold down the aperture to 8 and they will both make the picture sharp from edge to edge. But which of them is sharper at 2.8-4? I love twilight and until recently my favorite was the Voigtlander Color Skoparex 25/2.8. However, I want to try a faster lens and, if possible, a more compact one. I'm assuming it could be Kamlan?
It seems they don't produce them anymore. Pergear Germany (.de) still lists it, even though their internationals website (.com) website doesn't list it anymore: www.pergear.de/collections/zonlai/products/zonlai-22mm-f1-8-f-r-sony
Sad about Zonlai. Kamlan is nice, but seems a bit too big. TTArtisan looks like a sweetspot. If only there would be glass of TTArtisan with Zonlai appearance... Interesting, how the more expensive Voigtlander 23mm 1.2 would compare to these lenses. Thanks for the video!
Today, I'd also have a look at the TT Artisan 25/2 which wasn't announced yet when I made this video. It is similar to the 23/1.4 but much cheaper even. However, between 25mm and 21 mm (Kamlan) there is really a difference in field of view. I think the size of the Kamlan isn't so bad, and it is sharp. I'm not so much a fan of the handling though (no clicked aperture etc.). Here's my comparison between the TT Artisan 25/2 and 23/1.4: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gzIB6HLuduM.html
@@tomscameras thanks for the link! Indeed, that 25/2 lens is interesting. Size wise it is between Fuji pancake options of 27/2.8 and 18/2. Now that is compact! And no worries, I believe you'll get a chance to review the Voigtlander one day, as it seems there are even used copies available in Germany already! And once again, thanks for the great review videos!
I found it worked pretty well with all three lenses under most circumstances. In general I always focus at open aperture, and often also use the magification "screen loupe" feature - if you stop down to f/5.6 or f/8, the whole screen will just be filled with those focus peaking contrast lines and you won't be able to judge anything.
I owned two Panasonic 20/1.7 lenses (one for my E-M5 and later another one for my Olympus PEN-F). I loved them !! I did not shoot the Kamlan or TT Artisan on any MFT camera though: So I can't really directly compare. But I think the Panasonic 20/1.7 is a "no brainer" for MFT: It is so cheap, so small, and really good. The only real downside are the big color fringes towards the borders, especially when you're shooting landscapes. You can correct that in your RAW converter, but it's still a downside. Apart from that, I think if I had a MFT camera still today, I'd maybe even prefer the Panasonic 20/1.7 over these manual lenses. These manual lenses are really designed for APS-C cameras like Fuji X, Sony E etc. and there you won't such a small, good and cheap AF alternative like that Panasonic lens.
Love this review of yours Tom, but it also puts me on the edge; I am looking for a wide-ish lens, suitable for indoors/low light and I am dangling between the Kamlan 21/1.8 and the TTArtisan 25/2..The latter would be a no-brainer but I have the Fuji 27/2.8, which is great..until, night comes...The Kamlan is great on specs but a bit big for a compact setup while the 25 is too close to the 27..what would you pick?
I just finished a new video where I compare the TT Artisan 23/1.4 + 25/2 and the 7Artisans 24/1.4 ... I don't have the Kamlan at hand anymore but it still is the sharpest of all those lenses! I do agree with you that it is a bit bigger and heavier (like also the 7Artisans 24/1.4). If you're looking for speed, the 25/2 is pretty fast for what it is. I reckon it's even a bit faster than the f/2 designation suggests. There won't be any real speed advantage if you pick the Kamlan. Me, personally, I love the 25/2. If you've got the budget, also have a look at the Fujinon 23/2. It's sharp and adds auto focus. It's bigger than the 27/2.8 but still it's far from being a "heavy" lens!
@@tomscameras thank you!! You're super helpful as always! Hadn't seen this 24/1.4 from 7Artisans but 24,24, 27, they're all there, 21 will probably feel more like a new field of view and help with the indoors. The TTArtisan 25/2 is a must have, I'm just afraid it will displace the fuji 27/2.8 if I get it, so I'll probably get the Kamlan 21 for now, 85 euro on ebay is hard to skip😁
I'm thinking to do a comparison with an inexpensive autofocus lens yes. Either the Fuji XC35 - but personally I am not a huge fan because it has a lot of geometric distortion, I just think that should not be the case with a 35mm lens! But it is f/2 and very cheap. Or the XF27, yes! I had one a few years ago already. Sadly sold it. I remember it was tiny and super sharp! Nice thing about the XF27 is that there also now is a version with aperture ring, even though it's of course more expensive because it's newer ...
Excellent review and comparison! Thanks. Enjoyed the survey. I have the Zonlai and have always been a little disappointed with it. Was thinking about the TTArtisan since I have their 50mm and 35mm and find them very pleasing. I noticed a few Rolleicord photos. Do I sense a video about this enjoyable camera coming? Best wishes!
Hi Donald, you're sensing right. I'm shooting the Rolleicord mainly at night currently - first, it's due to the dark winter light, you need a tripod very often when shooting analog 6x6 with ISO 100 as I like it most ... second, the shutter has some issues. Love the camera and also the results I am getting. Maybe you already saw some of my photos on the "community" tab?
Kamlan is better than ttartisan because ttartisan 23mm have that dougnut blur in the middle,and kamlan have better minimum focus distance,sun star is usable so overall winner
Tom, I am interested in trying street photography using a manual lens. I shoot on a fuji XT30 camera. Which focal length and manual lens would you recommend (your preference)? I want to be able to use zone focusing. While I have Fuji lenses XF23 1.4 and XF35 1.4, they don’t have detailed zone focusing scales like the manual lenses have on the lens barrel. I want to be able to shoot street photography without having to focus through the viewfinder or screen.
Hi Jorge, one thing to keep in mind is that the longer the focal length, the more precise you have to be with your focusing. Also, if you already have got the two Fujinon 23 and 35 lenses, you maybe know which of the focal lengths fits your style the best. So my suggestion is that you either take the TT Artisan 23/1.4 or the TT Artisan 35/1.4 lens - the reason being that their focusing rings have a hard stop at the infinity mark and the distances engraved really match the true distances. (And in case it is not calibrated perfectly, TT Artisan lenses can be user calibrated very easily.) As 23mm is shorter than 35mm, using zone focusing is easier with the 23mm. I recommend you stop down somewhat to maybe f/5.6 or even f/8 in the begin, then zone focusing should always work out great. If you want a lens that is a bit wider even than 23mm, then have a look at the TT Artisan 17/1.4, which is also a very good lens.
@@tomscameras Tom, thanks for responding. Appreciate your reference to accuracy for focus distances and focus scale in the TTArtisans 23mm &35mm focal lengths. Lean toward 23mm for street photography. I checked reviews for other lenses in comparable focal lengths-7Artisans, Purgear, Mieke, & Voigtlander. TTArtisans seems to get better evaluations. Impressed with your reviews of lenses and zone focusing techniques.
@@jorgecarrasco868 Thanks again for the kind words! If you lean towards 23mm ... then yes get a 23mm :) I hope you'll have fun trying out manual focus street photography!
