This lens comparison is especially compelling because it showcases the versatility of the Biotar-inspired TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5, proving it delivers far more than just the iconic swirly bokeh.
What’s the Point of Comparing the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens with the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0?
With a crop factor of approximately 1.5 between Sony full-frame and Fujifilm APS-C cameras, the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR APS-C lens delivers a similar angle of view and depth of field as the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 full-frame lens, which is inspired by the legendary Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar lens design.
It’s a fascinating contrast between an affordable, vintage-style lens and Fujifilm’s high-end flagship, the XF 50mm f/1.0, which currently retails for around $1,499.95 on Fujifilm’s official US store at the time of writing. A milestone in lens history, because the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 was the world’s first autofocus f/1.0 lens designed for any mirrorless camera system.
What are the main specs of the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 and Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 lenses?
In a real-world test, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of both lenses. Many thanks to Philip for joining the Maxlrain vintage car event as a co-shooter. Philip shot the photos with the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 lens on a Fujifilm X-T3 camera, while I shot the photos with the Biotar-inspired TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens on a Sony a7C II camera.
Carl Zeiss Biotar-inspired TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 vs. Fujinon 50mm f/1.0 photo comparison
The following lens comparison photos were taken in May 2025 at the largest vintage car event in southern Germany, which took place in Maxlrain near Rosenheim.
When you click on an image in the galleries, following buttons will allow you to select some features. Use Original-size to watch the photo in full resolution:
Slideshow | Fullscreen | Image-Info | Original-size
Carl Zeiss Biotar-inspired TTArtisan vs. Fujinon Bokeh Comparison
To compare the background bokeh of the Fujinon APS-C lens with that of the Biotar-inspired TTArtisan full-frame lens, the Fujinon shots were taken at aperture settings adjusted for the 1.5x crop factor. This means the TTArtisan’s f/1.5 aperture is compared to the Fujinon’s f/1.0, and so on.
When you click on an image in the galleries, following buttons will allow you to select some features. Use Original-size to watch the photo in full resolution:
Slideshow | Fullscreen | Image-Info | Original-size
In my opinion, the Biotar-inspired TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens delivers near-perfect background bokeh in this test. There are no visible onion rings in the bokeh balls, which appear evenly textured and very round at higher aperture values, thanks to the 13 rounded aperture blades. When shot wide open, the source of the signature swirly bokeh becomes clearly evident.
However, it appears that the lenses of the TTArtisan have very occasional small impurities in the glass or on the lenses and the 13 rounded aperture blades of the TTArtisan do only form such round bokeh balls as the Fujinon lens with only 9, probably better rounded aperture blades.
As you would expect from one of Fujifilm’s flagship lenses, the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 produces flawless background bokeh, including very nicely rounded bokeh balls at slightly closed aperture f/1.3.
However, the bokeh spheres of the Fujinon lens seem to have a barely visible onion ring pattern, which is a common flaw in many lenses with aspheric lens elements. Aspheric lenses have several advantages: superior aberration correction, reduced lens size and weight, improved low-light performance, wider apertures, and enhanced overall image quality.
Onion Rings in the Fujinon lens Bokeh? A Byproduct of Aspheric Lens Technology
The faint concentric rings sometimes visible inside bokeh balls, often referred to as “onion rings”, are a well-known byproduct of modern lens manufacturing, particularly when using precision-molded aspheric elements.
In the past, aspheric lens elements were produced through extremely precise and labor-intensive grinding and polishing, a process ill-suited for large-scale production and thus prohibitively expensive.
Today, many aspheric elements are manufactured using Precision Molded Optics (PMO). Instead of grinding, this technique involves molding hot glass into pre-shaped aspheric molds, allowing for more affordable and scalable lens element production.
The molds themselves are typically created using Single-Point Diamond Turning (SPDT), a process where a sharp diamond-tipped tool cuts the mold profile with nanometer-level precision. However, even this high-precision method has mechanical limitations. The cutting tool moves in tiny increments, and these movements leave behind ultra-fine steps or grooves on the mold surface, either as a spiral or as concentric rings. When such a mold is used to produce an aspheric element, those microscopic patterns are replicated in the lens surface, and they become visible under certain lighting conditions as onion rings in the bokeh.
Rundown
Both lenses proved to be well-suited for comparison, as they share similar specifications in terms of angle of view and depth of field. However, there are some notable differences between these two charming lenses. Please consider what follows as my personal opinion about the two lenses.
PRO Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 lens
- Overall image quality: The comparison photos above speak for themselves, especially when it comes to edge sharpness at wide apertures. The Biotar-inspired TTArtisan lens only begins to deliver acceptable edge sharpness around f5.6, whereas the Fujinon lens already achieves decent edge sharpness even at its impressive wide-open aperture of f/1.0, and gets really sharp in the edges at aperture f/2.8.
- Auto-focus: Fast-moving subjects can be captured reliably even at wide-open apertures. Take, for example, the dynamic shot of the green Porsche in motion below with autofocus at aperture f/1.1.
- Nice bokeh: Beautiful bokeh, well executed. There’s no distracting “extravaganza” or nervousness here. Hats off to Fujifilm!
- Modern lens: Thanks to the electronic lens contacts, full electronic control and monitoring are supported, including EXIF data embedded in the photos.
CONTRA Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 lens
- Electronic coupling of focus and aperture: Rapid changes in focus or aperture during continuous shooting can appear to overwhelm the electronic coupling. To quickly capture a series of photos with varying focus and aperture settings, we took a continuous sequence of shots while adjusting the focus of the Fujinon lens and, in a separate run, the aperture. It seemed that the electronic control of focus distance and aperture began to stutter during this process. In addition, the DC motor makes an awkward sound during manually focussing.
PRO Biotar-inspired TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens
- Lens character: Inspired by the Biotar, the TTArtisan lens offers three distinct bokeh styles, making it a true “special effects lens on demand.” Its versatility goes far beyond simply producing the classic swirly bokeh. See my detailed description of the bokeh types below.
- Pure mechanical focus and aperture control: To quickly capture multiple photos with different focus and aperture settings, you can activate continuous shooting and make gradual manual adjustments to focus or aperture without any issues.
- Price: At the time of writing, the Fujinon’s street price appeared to be roughly three to four times higher than that of the TTArtisan lens.
- Using a legendary lens brings joy: Its stunning silver finish and distinctive Biotar-inspired design sparks conversations with interesting people at photography events.
CONTRA Biotar-inspired TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens
- No auto-focus: The absence of autofocus makes it challenging, and sometimes impossible, to capture sharp images of fast-moving subjects like the green Porsche below, unless you rely on a prepared focus trap and shoot in continuous burst mode.
- No electronic contacts: The lens type and aperture settings will not appear in the EXIF data.
- Little edge sharpness at wide apertures: It’s important to choose your photo motifs carefully and position your subject thoughtfully based on the aperture setting.
Fast Auto-Focus of the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 lens
Mighty Glass & Hot Weenies: Philip’s Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0
Don’t miss Part 1 of this Biotar Lens article!
Biotar Evolution Part 1: Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5 Inspired TTArtisan Lens
TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens review by Dustin Abbot from Ontario, Canada
Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR lens review by Dustin Abbot from Ontario, Canada
More articles about Swirly Bokeh Biotar lenses
Swirly Bokeh? The legendary Zeiss Biotar 58mm f/2 vs. the Russian copy Helios 44M-4 58mm f/2 lens
Classic cars shots with Zeiss Biotar and Helios-44 58mm f/2 lenses on Sony a7ii and a6100 cameras
More than Swirly Bokeh: Zeiss Biotar 58mm f/2 lens adapted to a Sony a6100 APS-C camera
https://tech.swiss-1.ch/planar-biotar-biometar-lens-design-evolution/
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