The TTArtisan 100mm f/2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens is one of the most unique and niche lenses the Chinese brand has released so far.
Let’s be clear:
This is not a lens you buy for sharpness, contrast, corner-to-corner image quality, or optical perfection.
This is a lens you buy for one reason only: Bubble Bokeh.
More specifically: that dreamy soap bubble bokeh made famous by the vintage Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 — a lens with a cult following and a much steeper price tag.
And TTArtisan’s homage to it? Bold, fun, and surprisingly affordable.
Build Quality & Design
As expected from TTArtisan:
- All-metal construction
- Smooth, well-damped focus ring
- Deep, satisfying clicks on the aperture ring
- Engraved markings with painted fill
It’s a beautifully crafted piece of gear — clearly inspired by the original Trioplan, especially in its retro styling.
Available only in Leica M mount and M42 thread, you’ll need an adapter for modern mirrorless cameras. But since the lens is fully manual with no electronics, a cheap adapter is all you need.
Both lens caps are screw-on metal — adding to the vintage charm.
Optical Design
What’s inside:
- 3 lens elements
- 13 aperture blades
- Manual focus & aperture
- Full-frame coverage
That’s it. And that simplicity is exactly what creates the signature bokeh.
Image Quality: Not the Point (But Let’s Talk About It)
Let’s be honest — this is not a lens you use for technical perfection.
But in the right light, with the right background, it’s magical.
The Bubble Bokeh Effect
When you shoot wide open at f/2.8 and have highlights in the background (sunlight through leaves, fairy lights, reflections), the lens produces round, well-defined bokeh balls — with a distinct bubble-like edge.
It’s an extremely specific look — and one that many photographers either love or hate.
But the trade-offs? They’re… a lot.
Sharpness & Focus
Here’s the catch:
- At f/2.8, sharpness is very soft
- Focus peaking might not even trigger
- Hitting critical focus is hit-or-miss
If you nail it, the center can be decently sharp. But don’t expect crisp results — this lens is all about character.
Flares & Contrast
Flaring is massive — some of the worst I’ve seen.
A light source just outside the frame can completely wash out your image.
Contrast is low straight out of camera — but can be improved in post-processing.
Chromatic Aberrations
Yes, they’re there — especially wide open. Purple fringes, color shifts in high contrast areas. It’s part of the vintage character, but it’s definitely noticeable.
Vignetting?
Surprisingly minimal — especially on APS-C.
I didn’t notice any heavy dark corners in my test shots.
When It Works, It Works
If you have the right light — bright specular highlights, sunny backlight, fairy lights in the background — this lens creates a really fun, creative look.
But if it’s cloudy, flat, or overcast? Leave it at home.
Stopping Down: Gain Sharpness, Lose Bubbles
Stopping down improves image quality:
- F/5.6 or f/8 = better sharpness & contrast
- The 13 aperture blades keep the bokeh round
- BUT: The bubble effect fades fast
If you want that iconic soap bubble look, you have to shoot wide open. No way around it.
Who Is This Lens For?
This is not an all-rounder. It’s not fast, sharp, or flare-resistant.
It’s not for travel, landscapes, portraits, or casual everyday shooting.
But…
If you love:
- Vintage character
- Soft focus rendering
- Creative bokeh
- That dreamy, swirly, bubbly glow
Then this lens will make you smile.
It’s also perfect for:
- Floral macro-style shots
- Backlit portraits
- Cinematic stills
- Shooting for the vibe, not the pixel count
My Real-World Experience
I tried this lens on an APS-C Fujifilm X-T4 and shot in various light conditions.
Best results?
→ Bright backlight, shiny backgrounds, and lots of contrasty details behind the subject.
Worst results?
→ Overcast skies or flat backgrounds. In that case, the lens loses its magic.
I also suspect that some of the sample images in marketing materials were done using focus stacking — because my results never came close to that kind of sharpness.
That said:
In the right moment, this lens delivers a look that almost nothing else can match.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re after vintage character but want more versatility, I actually prefer using a Nikon Series E 135mm f/2.8 — adapted to Fuji.
It’s sharper, easier to focus, and still has some nice rendering.
Final Verdict of TTArtisan 100mm f/2.8: A Niche Toy With a Signature Look
✅ Fun, unique, creative
✅ Bubble bokeh just like the Trioplan
✅ Great build quality
✅ Very affordable
❌ Not sharp
❌ Massive flaring
❌ Limited use cases
So is it worth it?
If you know what you’re getting into — absolutely.
Just don’t expect modern performance.
You can order the TTArtisan 100mm f/2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens at pergear.com
