If you are looking for a compact, lightweight, and affordable lens for your Fuji X-mount camera, you might want to check out the TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens. This lens is a new offering from TTArtisan, a Chinese brand that specializes in manual focus lenses for various mirrorless systems. However, this lens is different from their usual products, as it features autofocus and electronic communication with the camera. In this review, we will take a look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of this lens, and compare it with some similar products on the market.
Features
The TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens is a prime lens that offers a 40.5mm equivalent focal length on APS-C sensors. This makes it a versatile lens for everyday shooting, as it is close to the human eye’s field of view. The lens has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, which allows for good low-light performance and shallow depth of field effects. The lens also has a dedicated aperture ring with third-stop clicks, which gives you more control over the exposure and depth of field.
The lens has a metal construction and a metal mount, which gives it a solid feel and durability. The lens also comes with a metal hood that screws into the 39mm filter thread. The hood helps to reduce flare and protect the front element from accidental damage. The lens has a USB port on the rear cap, which allows for firmware updates via a Windows computer.
The lens has an autofocus motor that works with the camera’s phase-detection system. The autofocus is relatively fast and accurate in good light, but it can struggle in low light or low contrast situations. The autofocus is also quite noisy, which can be annoying for video recording or discreet shooting. The lens has a manual focus ring that can be used to override the autofocus or fine-tune the focus. The manual focus ring has a smooth and precise feel, and the focus change per turn is optimal.
The lens has 6 elements in 5 groups, and 7 diaphragm blades. The optical performance of the lens is decent for its price, but not outstanding. The lens produces sharp images in the center at all apertures, but the corners are softer until stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8. The lens also suffers from some vignetting, chromatic aberration, and distortion, which can be corrected in post-processing or by using the camera’s built-in corrections. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.35m (1.1 feet), which is not very close for macro shooting. The lens produces pleasant bokeh at wide apertures, but it can also show some onion rings and cat-eye shapes in the out-of-focus highlights.
Benefits
The main benefit of the TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens is its affordability. At $149, it is one of the cheapest autofocus lenses for Fuji X-mount cameras on the market. It is also one of the smallest and lightest lenses available, measuring only 60mm (2.4 inches) in length and weighing only 90g (3.2 ounces). This makes it an ideal lens for travel, street, or casual photography, as it does not add much bulk or weight to your camera.
Another benefit of this lens is its versatility. The 27mm focal length is suitable for a variety of subjects and situations, such as landscapes, portraits, architecture, or documentary photography. The f/2.8 aperture allows you to capture images in low light or create shallow depth of field effects. The aperture ring gives you more creative control over the exposure and depth of field. The autofocus and manual focus options let you choose how to focus depending on your preference and shooting scenario.
Drawbacks
The main drawback of the TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens is its optical quality. While it delivers acceptable results for its price range, it does not match the performance of more expensive lenses from Fujifilm or other brands. The lens exhibits some optical flaws such as soft corners, vignetting, chromatic aberration, and distortion, which can affect the image quality and require correction in post-processing or in-camera. The lens also has a relatively short minimum focus distance, which limits its macro capabilities.
Another drawback of this lens is its autofocus performance. While it works well in good light and with high-contrast subjects, it can struggle in low light or low contrast situations. The autofocus is also quite loud, which can be distracting for video recording or stealthy shooting.
Comparison
There are not many lenses that directly compete with the TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens in terms of focal length, aperture, size, weight, and price. However, there are some similar lenses that offer different trade-offs and features. Here is a comparison table of some of these lenses:
| Lens | Focal Length | Aperture | Size | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 | 27mm (40.5mm equivalent) | f/2.8 | 60 x 39mm (2.4 x 1.5 inches) | 90g (3.2 ounces) | $149 |
| Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR | 27mm (40.5mm equivalent) | f/2.8 | 62 x 23mm (2.4 x 0.9 inches) | 84g (3 ounces) | $399 |
| Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR | 35mm (52.5mm equivalent) | f/2 | 60 x 46mm (2.4 x 1.8 inches) | 170g (6 ounces) | $399 |
| Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 | 23mm (34.5mm equivalent) | f/1.4 | 65 x 72mm (2.6 x 2.8 inches) | 250g (8.8 ounces) | $329 |
As you can see, the TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens is the cheapest and smallest option among these lenses, but it also has the lowest optical quality and the noisiest autofocus. The Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is the closest competitor, as it has the same focal length and aperture, but it has better optical quality, quieter and faster autofocus, and weather resistance. However, it is also more than twice as expensive as the TTArtisan lens.
The Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR is another option that offers a slightly longer focal length and a faster aperture, but it is also bigger and heavier than the TTArtisan lens. It has excellent optical quality, fast and silent autofocus, and weather resistance, but it also costs more than the TTArtisan lens.
The Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 is a lens that offers a wider focal length and a much faster aperture than the TTArtisan lens, but it is also much bigger and heavier than the TTArtisan lens. It has good optical quality, fast and quiet autofocus, and a USB port for firmware updates, but it also costs more than the TTArtisan lens.
Conclusion
The TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens is a lens that offers a lot of value for its price, but it also has some limitations and compromises that you need to be aware of before buying it. It is a lens that is best suited for casual or hobbyist photographers who want a compact, lightweight, and affordable lens for their Fuji X-mount cameras, and who do not mind some optical flaws or noisy autofocus.
If you are looking for a higher quality lens with better performance and features, you might want to consider other options such as the Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR or the Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR, but be prepared to pay more for them.
If you are interested in buying the TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 lens, you can find it on Amazon or other online retailers.
References
: [Amazon.com : TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 Auto Focus Lens APS-C Compatible with Fuji X-Mount Cameras XS10 X-A5 X-A7 X-M1 X-M2 X-E4 X-T1 X-T10 X-T2 X-T20 X-T3 X-T4 X-T100 X-T200 X-T30 X-Pro1 : Electronics] : [Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR Lens – Black : Camera & Photo – Amazon.com] : [Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR Lens – Black : Camera & Photo – Amazon.com] : [Fujinon XF35mmF2 R WR – Black : Camera & Photo – Amazon.com] : [Fujinon XF35mmF2 R WR – Black : Camera & Photo – Amazon.com] : [VILTROX AF23/1.4 Auto Focus Lens for Fuji FX Mount Camera …]
Link direct:
Click to Buy!
