Whilst technically not as good as the XF version, for the price I think this lens is amazing, you'd think a go to first prime for a lot of Fuji shooters on a budget like me, alongside something like the XC 35 f2. Really excited to see if we get more budget autofocus bangers like this in future from third party manufacturers. Great video as always :)
Brilliant, I hope you enjoy it. I know I do! And the T2 is top quality too. This lens got a firmware update after to help with the older bodies so I'd go for it in your position :)
Nice results for what it is. Dark corners, to be sure, but there's also somewhat special bokeh at the edges. Cats eye and swirl like a manual lens (the 10:21 portrait is fantastic), but on AF? Neat combo. Really makes me wish someone would make an AF version of a lens like the 58/2 Helios 44 designs. Could it be scaled down to a ~40mm design for APS-C, to get the maximum swirl at the edges? AF lenses with vintage glass character would be a great niche for TTArtisans. I have the Fuji 35/2. I've got my eye on the 18-50/2.8 from Sigma when it comes out. And a bunch of manual TTA lenses. At first, I wasn't sure on this. It's affordable, but the speed/focal length will be covered by the zoom... but the character on this lens seems like it'd be worthwhile.
Ye the 18-50 might be one worth looking at... I like the idea about the 58/2! I think a few were shouting for a 40mm and that character build be very fun with an AF lens. Knowing TTArtisan I wouldn't be surprised at all what comes next year.
@@DamianBrown Googling around... it'd totally work. The old Robot camera company used to have half-frame and 24x24 cameras using 135 film, and one of the lenses available was a 40mm f/2 Zeiss Jena Biotar. A smallish autofocus short tele like that, with that character? Mmmh that'd be good. I, uh... also just ordered the 27mm. The fact that this is sort of a "character" lens with AF maybe not as extreme as it could be, was pretty tempting for the price.
@@thebitterfig9903 That's that is my favorite thing about the Fuji 50mm F2. It has that cat's eye Bokeh and I love it! Chose it over the Sigma 50 mm 1.4 for that reason too.
@@DamianBrown right, I looked on the presentation video of this lens on official TTArtisan channel and they replied to a comment asking for a 35 & 50 AF saying "Got it".. more coming then for real probably
Thanks Damian, I've owned the Fuji version for a few years and it stays on my X-T20 as a walk around lens. It's very sharp and light weight. I have no interest in this TTArtisan version but at less than half the price I paid for the Fuji version I would have to consider it if I was shopping for one today. By the way, I'm still loving that Sigma 56 1.4 for Fuji.
Ye ultimately what you have is solid but it's good to see companies putting out quality AF lenses at this price point. Plus, not needing it means you save some cash :D
Thanks for this video Damian. I have now purchased one of these lenses and found it to be really good, especially at the price. I also found the direct support from TTArtisans was brilliant. I had trouble getting my computers to recognise the base cap/updater device so I sent an email to their support people. Got a really helpful reply within a couple of hours that solved the problem. I then updated the lens and went out in London with it. Very impressed with the lens and as always, very impressed with your channel. Thanks and Happy New Year for 2023.
@@DamianBrown not even, 3 different emails, WhatsApp and Instagram + message on their website and no response. But pulling on the rear element unstuck it and now it works.
@@maxwiltshire6159 I live in Thailand. Due to some peculiarities of the exchange rate and lens pricing - it's $100 here at the moment. I also only paid $90 for the 7artisans 4mm fisheye.
How's titanium? Looking at pics it seems darker than the silver XF lens. I am afraid that it does not match a xe2 body as far as aesthetic is concerned...
Great review, I own this lens and totally agree with your points. I purchased it as I couldn’t justify the cost of a Fuji 27mm. I tend to use my Fuji 18-55mm because of the stabilisation which isn’t present on the TTartisan.
Yes! Thanks Damian - great review. For the price I can’t resist snapping one of these up. Love the focal length but didn’t like the Fuji’s noisy autofocus and couldn’t justify the price when I already have the 23mm 1.4 WR and the 35mm F2. But for only £150 or so I reckon it looks like a lot of fun.
@@DamianBrown I’ve really struggled since I moved over to Fuji, don’t know why and more so with my Land/Seascapes than Street Photos, I keep looking at other brands to change to but budget constraints may force me to stick with my XT3 for another year or so so a lens or more so the brand selling budget AF lenses is a life saver as I do need a couple of prime lenses if I do.
@@bcegerton I think the budget end gives more people the option to try out different lenses and find some inspiration that way. I think there is enough choice to warrant staying with the system unless there's something really specific you need.
@@DamianBrown I’ve had the Xt3 since November 2020 and still can’t get used to it , I have thought of moving up to the xt4 as I really could do with the Ibis. Hopefully, if I can get out more, something I’ve not been able to do as much as I’d like in the last couple of years, I may then get used to the system etc, we will see
@@bcegerton I absolutely understand that. The last couple years knocked the wind out of most of us. For want of a better phrase. You'll soon get moving again and hopefully find the inspiration
For people doubting between this and the XF 27mm 2.8 WR: the old version of the XF (without WR) is exactly the same optically as the new one. Have a look at used ones, still more expensive than the TTartisan but not by nearly as much as the WR.
@@alessandroventuridd9159 mk1= mark 1, the original non weather sealed version. Personally, I would chose the ttartisans because the price is great, it has an aperture ring, the focus is quiet, and the image quality is close enough, but that is your call to make. I need the aperture ring, myself
Hi Damian! So I guess the message is if you're looking for some X-mount pancake goodness, the XF is the fine dining version and the TT is a bit the McLens?
This is a really helpful review, thanks for keeping it real & honest, appreciated as always. A quick question: can you remember what the image quality was like at close focus ? Thanks, Paul
I imagine it was yes, they have a T100 in their press shots as well as a Pro body and IIRC an E body. They also state it works with X-A1、X-A10、X-A2、X-A2、X-A3、X-A5、X-A7、X-M1、X-T1、X-T10、X-T2、X-T20、X-T3、X-T4、X-T100、X-T200、X-T30、X-PR01、X-PR02、X-PR03、X-E1、X-E2、X-E2S、X-E3、X-E4、XS10、X-H1、X-H2S
Thanks for the review! I've been thinking of picking up a budget lens at this focal length for my xe3 and was considering getting this, the TTArtisan 25/2 or the Kamlan 28/1.4. The 25/2 seems to have pretty good reviews and is quite a bit cheaper, and the Kamlan seems super nice as well but it seems like people don't talk about that lens anymore. I don't mind shooting in manual, but this and the Kamlan seems to be the only budget options for a 28mm focal length... Which would you recommend as the best value of the three for say daily use when I'm used to using the xf 18/2?
@@DamianBrown Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I hope you can try the Kamlan 28 soon too as your reviews are very informative and easy to follow! The Kamlan 28/1.4 is pretty old by now, and I haven't seen/heard much about the brand (aside from the 50/1.1) anymore so I was kinda worried that maybe there's some weird issues with the brand itself. The Kamlan is also quite heavy and almost twice the size of this TTA so I'm certain it shouldn't have to deal with the iq compromises needed to make a pancake, but I'm not certain the weight and size is ideal for a walkaround lens unlike this one (partly why I really do love my 18mm, it's so nondescript).
