NEWS: TTArtisan Releases Bubble Bokeh 100mm F2.8 M42 Mount Lens

By Molly Kate

M42 mount shooters who love a bit of bubbly bokeh will be delighted to hear that TTartisan has released a new lens featuring what they call “soap bubble bokeh”.

The manual focus Bubble Bokeh lens is a 100mm F2.8 full-frame M42 mount lens that can be adapted to other mounts with the appropriate adapter. Possible adaptations include mirrorless mounts like the Sony E, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, as well as other mounts like the Leica M port, Nikon F, and Canon EF.

“Soap bubble bokeh is characterized by a bokeh ball with a bright edge around their perimeters and will give stunning results.” – TTartisan

TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens
Image courtesy of TTArtisan

Bokeh has become a popular characteristic in contemporary photography. It is used to isolate subjects but also adds a soft dreamy touch to an image which might evoke a different reaction than a scene in full detail. The texture and shape of bokeh is often evaluated in lens reviews and everyone has a personal preference for the “type” of bokeh.

TTartisan’s new lens aims at this market of bokeh lovers. In the sample images below, you can see exactly what kind of bokeh to expect from this longer lens.

TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens sample image
Image courtesy of TTArtisan
TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens sample image
Image courtesy of TTArtisan
TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens sample image
Image courtesy of TTArtisan
TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens sample image
Image courtesy of TTArtisan

The 100mm F2.8 lens is constructed of aviation-grade anodized aluminum with a clicked aperture as per TTartisan’s standard build quality. Perhaps to suit the M42 mount aesthetic, they have also added a vintage-style focus ring, something that we haven’t seen much on modern lenses. The glass bits are structured in a 3-element 3-group design and the total package weighs in at 307g.

TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens diagram
Image courtesy of TTArtisan
TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens
Image courtesy of TTArtisan

TTartisan says the lens has a large imaging circle, meaning it can cover a good amount of even a medium format sensor (like the Fujifilm GFX series) with little vignetting.

One mechanical “p.s.”, if you will, of the manufacturer is that the lens doesn’t naturally align with the centerline when using conventional adapters. Therefore, if you want the lens markings to center on a digital camera, you’ll need an adapter with an adjustable centerline.

TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Bubble Bokeh lens
Image courtesy of TTArtisan

“Infuse your photography with a vintage and painterly aesthetic that brings a unique, creative edge to your work, making every shot a work of art.” – TTArtisan

The retail price for this lens is USD $155 and can be found on Pergear’s shop here or on Amazon here.

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About The Author

By Molly Kate
Photographer, writer, and CPA currently running a Youtube channel called Eclectachrome. I'm a huge fan of shiny new objects which makes writing news a perfect fit. Favorite cameras are often mechanical rangefinders, folders, and compacts and I love most film stocks. I enjoy developing and scanning my own film as well as printing in the darkroom when there's extra time!
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Comments

John on NEWS: TTArtisan Releases Bubble Bokeh 100mm F2.8 M42 Mount Lens

Comment posted: 08/08/2023

So basically they reproduced the original Meyer Optik Trioplan? Interesting. While those are quite expensive, this would be a more accessible way to get that look. I'd definitely buy this if I had a camera to adapt it to.
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Dex on NEWS: TTArtisan Releases Bubble Bokeh 100mm F2.8 M42 Mount Lens

Comment posted: 09/08/2023

Well they did raise the price only after a few hours (not that it is expensive now, but still worth mentioning).
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Louis A. Sousa on NEWS: TTArtisan Releases Bubble Bokeh 100mm F2.8 M42 Mount Lens

Comment posted: 09/08/2023

Cheaper to buy and adapt an old Nikon 105mm
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 09/08/2023

This is true, but it would be an entirely different lens with a very different character

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Louis A. Sousa replied:

Comment posted: 09/08/2023

Hi Hamish, I have gotten impressive bokeh with the Gauss version of the Nikkor 105mm.

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Richard Patterson replied:

Comment posted: 09/08/2023

I have an Industar 61 that gives similar bokeh bubbles for a lot less £. Only 52mm but 4 lenses in 3 groups, so maybe similar character?

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Riko on NEWS: TTArtisan Releases Bubble Bokeh 100mm F2.8 M42 Mount Lens

Comment posted: 10/08/2023

China clones. Why bother in a world with so many real vintage lenses for less money that weren’t assembled by slaves?
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