TTArtisan, a Chinese lens manufacturer, has recently announced a new 500mm f/6.3 telephoto lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The lens is compatible with E, L, RF, and Z-mounts and offers a manual focus option. The lens is priced at only $329, making it one of the most affordable telephoto lenses on the market.
A Compact and Lightweight Telephoto Lens
The TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 lens has a simple optical design with eight elements in five groups, including two extra-low dispersion and two high-index glass elements. The lens has a fixed aperture of f/6.3 and a minimum focus distance of 3.3 meters (about 11 feet). The lens has a 12-blade diaphragm and an 82mm filter thread.
The lens weighs only 307 grams (about 11 ounces), which is remarkably light for a 500mm telephoto lens. The lens also comes with a tripod mount ring and a metal lens hood. The lens has a focus gear ring for smooth manual focusing.
A Good Choice for Astrophotography and Slow-Moving Subjects
The TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 lens is not meant for fast action photography, as it lacks autofocus and has a relatively slow aperture. However, the lens can be a good choice for astrophotography and slow-moving subjects, such as wildlife and still life.
According to TTArtisan, the lens has good coma control, which means that stars in the frame appear as circular point sources rather than elongated shapes. The lens can also produce some background separation and bokeh effects, although the quality may vary depending on the distance and the backdrop.
TTArtisan has provided some sample images taken with the lens, showing its performance in different scenarios. The images show that the lens can deliver sharp and contrasty results with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion.
A Bargain Price for a Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
The best feature of the TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 lens is its price. The lens is available for only $329, which is much lower than most telephoto lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras. For comparison, the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM lens costs $800, while the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens costs $2,000.
Of course, the TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 lens is not comparable to these lenses in terms of features and performance, but it offers a unique option for photographers who want to experiment with a long focal length without breaking the bank.
The TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 lens is available to order now from TTArtisan’s official store or from Amazon (sales go live at 18:00 ET on September 22, 2023).
