TTArtisan, a renown brand from Meisho Optical, released the L-mount version of the “Neo AF 85mm f/1.8” full-frame compatible AF prime lens.
This product is the second medium telephoto lens in the “Neo” series, and is now made available for the Leica L Mount, which is made for aa variety of makers such as Lumix. Previously, the company released versions for Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount. The company plans releases for other mounts in due course.
With an 85mm focal length and a bright f/1.8 aperture, this new lens suitable use cases include a wide range of uses, especially portrait photography. A unique feature is that the lens’s appearance can be changed using a custom-made cover created with a 3D printer.
Customize the appearance of your lenses with 3D-printed covers.
One of the features of the “Neo AF 85mm f/1.8” is its ability to customize its appearance using a 3D printer.
By using the manufacturer’s dedicated 3D printer data to create custom armor (lens barrel covers), the appearance of the lens can be changed to suit your preferences.
By changing the color and texture to match the camera body design, it becomes possible to use the equipment not only for its functionality as a photographic device, but also with attention to its appearance.
The lens body features a simple design with minimal controls, lacking focus and aperture rings. Its appearance can be customized with custom armor.
Please note that custom armor is not included with the product, nor is it planned to be sold by the manufacturer. If you wish to use it, you will need to download the dedicated 3D printer data that has been made publicly available and create and modify it yourself.
TTArtisan Neo AF 85mm f/1.8 – medium telephoto design with STM autofocus
A focal length of 85mm makes it easy to shoot while maintaining a suitable distance from the subject, and it has an angle of view that is suitable for portrait photography.
It makes it easy to organize elements in the background and create compositions that emphasize the subject’s expression and gestures. Taking advantage of the bright f/1.8 aperture, it’s also possible to create expressions that highlight the subject by blurring the background significantly.
The autofocus system employs an STM (stepping motor). According to Focus Studio, it offers quiet operation and smooth movement, making it suitable for capturing natural facial expressions and movements of people.
If the camera supports it, subject recognition functions such as eye AF and face recognition AF can also be used. However, the operation of the AF function will vary depending on the camera model, settings, and shooting conditions.
Please note that this product is designed exclusively for autofocus and does not support manual focus.
Aberrations are suppressed with an optical design of 12 elements in 8 groups.
The optical system employs a configuration of 12 elements in 8 groups, including two ED lenses and two high-refractive index lenses.
The design aims for excellent image quality from the center to the edges of the frame by suppressing chromatic aberration and other distortions. It features 11 aperture blades, allowing for shooting with a large bokeh effect at the wide-open F1.8 aperture.
Furthermore, gentle vignetting that occurs near wide apertures as a distinctive feature that enhances the image of a person in the center.
The bright F1.8 aperture is effective for shooting in low-light environments such as twilight or indoors. Compared to lenses with a larger maximum aperture, it makes it easier to select a faster shutter speed at the same ISO sensitivity, and at the same shutter speed, it makes it easier to set a lower ISO sensitivity.
Taking advantage of these features, it can be used in a variety of shooting situations, not only for portrait photography, but also for indoor snapshots and creating works using natural light.
Lightweight design weighing approximately 334g. Supports firmware updates via the rear lens cap.
The L-mount version weighs approximately 334g. Despite being a full-frame compatible medium telephoto lens with an aperture of f/1.8, it is designed with portability in mind.
The size is approximately Φ69 x 89mm (excluding the mount), making it easy to use for everyday snapshots and travel.
Additionally, the included lens rear cap features a USB Type-C port, allowing you to update the lens firmware by connecting it to a PC.
TTArtisan Neo AF 85mm f/1.8 Main Specifications
| Compatible mounts | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) |
| Compatible imaging screen size | 35mm full frame |
| focal length | 85mm |
| Lens configuration | 8 groups, 12 elements (2 ED lenses, 2 high-refractive index lenses) |
| focus | AF (Autofocus) *Manual focus not supported |
| aperture | F1.8～F16 |
| Aperture blades | 11 sheets |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.8m |
| filter diameter | 62mm |
| size | Approximately Φ69 x 89 mm (excluding mounting part) |
| mass | Approximately 334g |
| accessories | Lens hood, front and rear caps |
| Manufacturer’s warranty | Two-year warranty (covers natural failures. Does not cover malfunctions caused by the installation or modification of custom armor, etc.) |
| Manufacturer’s suggested retail price | 27,000 yen (tax included) |
Precautions
- This product is designed exclusively for autofocus and does not support manual focus operation.
- Custom shells is not included with the product, and the manufacturer has no plans to sell it separately.
- 3D printer data can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s official website. The creation, processing, and installation of custom armor must be done at the user’s own discretion.
- Damage, malfunctions, or failures resulting from the installation, use, processing, disassembly, or modification of custom armor are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Furthermore, depending on the shape and installation method of the custom armor, it may affect lens mounting, autofocus operation, and lens recognition.
- Eye AF, face detection AF, and subject detection AF are only available when used with compatible cameras. Operation may vary depending on the camera model, settings, and shooting conditions.
