The TTArtisan 27mm f2.8

In this quick review, let’s see how the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8, which just became available in late October 2022 for less than 7,000php, performs and who is this lens really for?

Unboxing

Before you read my quick review, watch my unboxing video here

Spec Sheet

The TTArtisan 27mm 2.8 is a “pancake lens” with a 39mm filter size that weighs only 93 grams, which is in a way surprisingly lighter than some of their Manual Focus entries. Even so, the lens has a stepping motor for auto-focus, 7 diaphragm blades, and an aperture ring that ranges from 2.8 to 16.

The TTArtisan 27mm 2.8’s extremely handy minimum focusing distance of 0.35 meters (1.148 feet) and paired with an angle of view of 56 degrees came as a very welcome feature.

Real-World Usage

When one needs to get closer to subjects, as in this situation of a photo shoot with my wife, the shorter focusing distance is handy.

With the TTArtisan 27mm 2.8, one essentially gets everything they require, including autofocus, an aperture ring, and an intriguing extra in the form of the included back lens cap, which also functions as a dock for firmware upgrades through USB-C.

I particularly appreciate this idea because it eliminates the requirement for a dock and the risk that Fujifilm may ban upgrades through their camera bodies for TTArtisan.

Sample Shots

The vast majority, if not all, of the samples were simply taken wide open because the TTArtisan 27mm 2.8’s widest aperture is at 2.8, which is the full frame equivalent of 4 depth of field.

Focusing with the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 is quick and silent. In fact, I thought it moved just a little bit quicker, if not a little bit faster, than my 15 – 45mm or my 16 – 50mm kitlens. I have yet to get my hands on the Fujinon XF 27mm (either models).

But a word of caution, the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 is not weather-sealed. Fortunately for me, none of my gears are, so I can take the exact amount of care for all of them.

For my use, the lens is “sharp enough.” My Viltrox 23mm 1.4, which is a far more expensive alternative than the TTArtisan, is comparable with the image sharpness despite the major difference in aperture ands weight, but the price gap is a major advantage for TTArtisan given that this is their first auto-focus foray attempt.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the lens vignettes quite a bit when shot at 2.8 wide open. Although it is something that can be readily fixed in post-processing, it will be crucial for people who do not care for vignetting and do not post-process.

Wrap-Up

The TTArtisan 27mm 2.8 compensates for its lack of optical brilliance and ability to win any recognitions, by just being ‘cute’, practical and enjoyable to use.

The Fujifilm XF27mm 2.8 WR, which costs around 25,000PHP, is highly expensive and isn’t really a great buy unless you get it second hand, or you have wads of money lying around. The TTArtisan alternative is snappy, renders passably well, is incredibly small and light, and most importantly, at a fraction of the price, it simply makes the Fujinon just look ridiculously overpriced.

You can purchase the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 for Fujifilm X-Mount from Shopee.