Inexpensive Chinese Lenses: I have an 8mm F4 SLR Magic lens, a 17mm F1.4 TT Artisans lens, a 35mm 1.4 TT Artisans lens and a 50mm F1.2 TT Artisans lens that I use on my Olympus...

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

I have an 8mm F4 SLR Magic lens, a 17mm F1.4 TT Artisans lens, a 35mm 1.4 TT Artisans lens and a 50mm F1.2 TT Artisans lens that I use on my Olympus mirrorless camera. Each on is made of metal and glass with no plastic parts and have excellent build quality. I bought them new from B and H for a total of less than $400 US. They are complimented by an 85mm F2 Jupiter lens from the Soviet Union bought used for $55 US used, which is also made of all metal and glass with no plastic.

These are all manual focus and have no communication with the camera. Using focus peaking it is easy and fun to focus them. Image quality? Pretty good actually. They are all very small and light. But the best part is that the collection can be had for a price less than one plastic manufacture's lens.

I would like to hear from others who have taken this approach. Thanks for any replies.

BebuLamar

What do you mean by Chinese lenses? A Chinese lens is a lens which has a Chinese brand? or a lens made in China?

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

BebuLamar wrote:

What do you mean by Chinese lenses? A Chinese lens is a lens which has a Chinese brand? or a lens made in China?

I meant a lens made in China. Thanks for your comment BebuLamar.

BebuLamar

Many excellent Nikon lenses are made in China like the 500 f/5.6 pf. All of current Nikon 50mm AF lenses in the F mount are made in China. So buying Chinese lenses don't either compromise quality or saving money.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

BebuLamar wrote:

Many excellent Nikon lenses are made in China like the 500 f/5.6 pf. All of current Nikon 50mm AF lenses in the F mount are made in China. So buying Chinese lenses don't either compromise quality or saving money.

NDMarks Loc: Dublin, Ca

Just a quick comment about Chinese products. There is excellent products from China and there is junk. It is a case of "Buyer Beware". Many, Many years ago most Japanese products were junk, until a couple of American Quality Control masters helped turn Japanese quality around. Look at Japanese products now - cars, cameras etc. The Koreans are also turning around (look at Hyundai). Just because it says China doesn't automatically mean bad. Chinese tractors are an example. Both China and Japan use millions of tractors and their quality is getting better out of necessity.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Urnst wrote:

I have an 8mm F4 SLR Magic lens, a 17mm F1.4 TT Ar... (show quote)

I do have an 8mm Rokinon all manual lens.
Well made and produces very good results to my eye (Not a pixel peeper)
But as to those plastic lenses many (At least Canon good lenses) are metal internally with a reinforced polycarbonate shell. They are a godsend. I have an all metal Canon FL 85-300mm lens. It weighs a ton and is not a pleasure to tote around at all compared to the 100-400mm MII. I will go with the newer lenses any day for weight.
Yes, the all metal small focal length lenses are fun and are used as well but no need to go new as there are thousands of used old ones for cheap on the market, 4 for $200 or less.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

Architect1776 wrote:

I do have an 8mm Rokinon all manual lens. br Well ... (show quote)

Bill_de Loc: US

BebuLamar wrote:

Many excellent Nikon lenses are made in China like the 500 f/5.6 pf. All of current Nikon 50mm AF lenses in the F mount are made in China. So buying Chinese lenses don't either compromise quality or saving money.

I was shooting with the 500mm pf just before coming in for dinner. The 300mm pf is usually on a D7200 as they make a nice light pair. I just checked after reading this post. Both lenses are made in China and no matter anyone says, they are keepers and they are both mine.

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kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Urnst wrote:

I have an 8mm F4 SLR Magic lens, a 17mm F1.4 TT Ar... (show quote)

Many Chinese lenses are excellent, and most all are more than competitive at their price point.Some of the Chinese makers, like Laowa, are making lenses no one else makes.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Urnst wrote:

I would like to hear from others who have taken this approach. Thanks for any replies.

I have both lenses designed for my cameras as well as some fully manual adapted lenses and in the case of my Fuji X-T2 an X mount TT-Artisan 23mm f/1.4. It's very good-- small and light -- just the ticket for a walk in the park.

(Download)

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

Ysarex wrote:

I have both lenses designed for my cameras as well as some fully manual adapted lenses and in the case of my Fuji X-T2 an X mount TT-Artisan 23mm f/1.4. It's very good-- small and light -- just the ticket for a walk in the park.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Urnst wrote:

I have an 8mm F4 SLR Magic lens, a 17mm F1.4 TT Ar... (show quote)

If it is made in China, I will not buy.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I complement Urnst on the title using "Inexpensive" and not the word "Cheap." The word Cheap implies inferior.

I just purchased IR filters via a Chinese marketer Aliexpress for half the price of Amazon or even more expensive from Camera retail companies in USA. Shipping lag, yes, inferior product, no.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Urnst wrote:

I have an 8mm F4 SLR Magic lens, a 17mm F1.4 TT Ar... (show quote)

There's a lot on YouTube about them, generally good news.