Having used this lens for about 2 months, I agree with your comments on colors and corner sharpness. However, Adding some Clarity in Lightroom and playing with Light sliders (Blacks, Whites, Shadows, Highlights) produces awesome results. With regard to corner sharpness, if people are looking at the corners of your photos, you need to work on your composition! 🙂
Well thought out review, thanks. I’m very happy with the TTA 27mm that came with my used X-E2. I actually grab it more than my Fuji XF 18-55mm because of the size and weight. The 18-55mm does have better contrast and better flare resistance, and the built in OIS is essential in low light. But the TTA 27mm works great as a point and shoot around the house or if I’m just walking around the neighborhood.
A lot of those issues are more present on Fuji systems because of the mount, it has not the proper distance, many Fuji users had found a lot of issues using focus peaking in longer distances than 3m…. Some of those issues are not that present or dramatic on other systems like Sony because the mount has the right size, I use it and yes, it’s not perfect, it works if you want the vintage lens look and if you are not looking for clinical perfect images and focus (it’s possible to achieve). I use it a lot and I find it fun and totally usable, I’ve used a lot of voigtlander and m mount lenses and certainly the quality is not the same, but how much image quality do you need to make a photo speaks and work? When you study your photobooks do you use a magnifying glass or watch the whole thing? Notice most of fotographers using this kind of lenses look for “in focus enough” not clinical perfect, and I believe this kind of lenses have that goal or niche in mind. Also I found ironic…. With a modern lens we edit heavily to make it more natural less sharp and more organic, so with these lenses you also will edit to get rid of some issues, so with both you end up working in Lightroom until you have a final product… or you shoot in film with worst or equal quality lenses, also depending on the skills of scanning guy at the lab and at the end, guess what? You will edit it in Lightroom lol
I bought a very cheap, used x-e2, mainly because the previous owner ham-handedly removed the fuji logos in the frond and on top, plastered over the holes and painted all of this with a shiny black. So out of pitty i wanted to give this x-e2 it's dignitiy back, evend out the holes and plaster and gave it a olive green finish. I don't really want to shoot it regularly, but i won't ever sell it, because i'm a but proud about the outcome. The ttartisan will be the lens to display this camera on my cupboard. And maybe i will pick it up sometimes to have a little fun with it...
@@lemonwillow Well, it depends on what you like to do with it. Zoom or fixed focal length? The best starter-zoom for sure is the 18-55mm 2.8-4. You can´t do wrong with it, if you don´t know what you like to do with it. I´m a fixed focal length guy and my most used lens is the 23mm f2. A moderate wide angle. Very versatile and the focal length of the x100-series. A bit tricky when you start photography. For beginners I would recommend the 35mm, because it gives you basically what you see and it is very easy to find compositions of the stuff you want to make photos of . If you want to have a lens for your camera to carry around, the 27mm 2.8 ttartisan is very small and for that price it´s good value. Not my focal length, can´t get any compositions out of it, but others do wonders with it.
Perhaps you received a different TT Artisans 25mm f/2 than I did. Mine is fabulous. In fact I was so impressed with it I also bought its big brother the 50mm f/2 (looks nearly identical to the 25). Of course I understand there can be significant variations in the quality of the same Chinese lens so perhaps that's the problem. I've read/watched a number of other reviews of the lens from those whose experience is more like mine. Keeping in mind that I bought mine for the micro 4/3rds camera system so maybe that makes a difference?🥹
The bokeh is exactly the same messed up thing, than my Meike 28/2.8 manual focus lens. Very weirdo. And the IQ from that cheapest 25 F2 TTA isn't great either way. FYI, i do have 5 TTA lenses.
I'm using this lens on micro43 Olympus. I like how it gets blown by light source near the subject. The only thing i don't like is how hard to focus on this lens. From the infinity to 1,5m mark is about 1cm of focus ring travel. Closing the aperture to, for example, f8 doesn't help. If I miss focusing even a bit- pictures turn out blurry.
Exactly. You are the very few on the internet saying "what is the point of getting this...". Yes, it is cheap, and yes, it has a high quality to price ratio. But wait a minute, any kit lens, especially used, is only tiny bit more expensive and definitely outperforms it with a even higher quality to price ratio.
THANK YOU for being clear about the downsides. So many people are reviewing this sounding like shills going "oh wow it's great. It's only $60. Awesome". I have a Kamlan lens with some similar defects and I don't like using it
You might be *really* surprised - i have both lenses here since release, but sold the MF 25/F2, because the rendering, Bokeh was not my style, and IQ, i sold it after a few test shots. The brand new 7Artisans 27/2.8 AF now for E-mount is incredible value. It does have a specific, signature look - you can't just fake easily. It's bigger, than the TTA 27/2.8 AF, no aperture ring, but otherwise it draws beautiful, no vignetting like the TTA, metal build, metal mount, well damped metal focus ring.
I dont think the ttartisan lens is just a temporary until upgrade lense. Right now I have a Fuji 18mm f1.4 wr, Fuji 33mm f1.4 wr, Fuji 50mm f2, and Fuji 90mm f2. The reason I am wanting to get this lens(ttartisan 25mm f2), is because its NOT clinical. I am wanting an imperfect lens with some character.
interesting.. I think you can get creative, and its very pocketable, and with it being a bit cheap you can chuck it around.. Not everything has to be sharp right?
Excellent videos. Your coverage on the manual focus lenses are awesome. I heard a rumor that voightlander is making an x mount 27mm manual focus. It won’t beat the ttartisan 27mm , for the price. Keep up the good work!
I wonder if you got an especially bad copy of the 25 or if I got an especially good one. I hate flare and washed out images and I haven’t had those issues with the 25. I do see the light and focus falloff (but I love that). On the other hand, I definitely had the muddy close-focus resolution of the 23mm f2, as opposed to the TTArtisans 25mm’s impressive sharpness.
It’s possible, quality control varies greatly with these third party companies. Could also be possible that you tend to shoot in situations which don’t wash out the image
Do you know of a way to bring up the zoomed view in the camera's LCD/EVF with this lens to set focus (the same way it shows up when we touch the focus ring on a 'official' lens set to MF)? I find it difficult to use wide aperture with this lens because I don't have good feedback of how in focus it is.
On Fujifilm - press the Disp back button twice to have a zoomed in view beside the normal view permanently. Alternatively set a button to focus check. Pal2tech has a good video on it
@@AryaArun31 Amazing, thanks so much! The double display doesn't work on my x-s20, but have assigned focus check to one of the buttons and that's working perfectly!
Seems like you’re looking for something under $100 which limits your options pretty severely. Check out the video I made on the AstrHori 10mm f/8 fisheye body cap lens. It doesn’t let in very much light at f/8 so you’ll need to vlog during the day but it sounds like that’s what you’re looking for. Here’s a link: ruclips.net/video/weyWYYDpc5E/видео.html Your footage will likely be a bit shaky since the a6700 doesn’t have the best ibis I believe so just walk carefully.
What’s up, Matt! Good to see some content from one of my favorite creators ✊ just started so I don’t have a comment on the video content but am watching now. Hope you’re doing well.
Watched it. Helpful review. The corner blurring is a deal breaker for me. I’ll take poor build quality of the image is decent enough, but the blurring and lack of contrast is a nah for me.
@@MattJacobs Untrue, Matt. The 7Artisans 35mm F1.4 Wen smokes the TTA 35/1.4 ASPH. The 7Artisans 35/F2 Wen II is also a extraordinary value. See Erick's Photo 2020 Video here on YT - 7A 35/1.4 does have better microcontrast, sharpness than TTA 35/1.4, which does rely onto a cheaper, optical construction - it's just laws of physics, mathematics - simple as that. And nowadays, the all new 7A 27mm F2.8 AF (E-mount) is sharper, more contrasty, renders really better - than the TTA 27/2.8 AF - which could being seen as a cheapskate Fujifilm X-mount lens. FYI, i do own serveral 7Artisans *and* TTArtisans lenses. 🙂
I am planning to buy a fuji. But unsure if I should buy the kit lens (18-55) along with or buy any 2 lenses from the ttartisan line up (25/2, 35/1.4, 50/1.2). Kindly bestow wise advice on this novice.
And I don't plan to buy any more lenses apart from the initial ones. So, would like to know if I bought the ttartisan lenses, would i still end up wanting the costlier fuji lenses (zoom or prime)?
Well yeah, the Fuji lenses are better all around than the TTArtisans hence the price. If you can afford more expensive Fuji lenses you won’t regret getting them. The 18-55 and 35 f/1.4 wouldn’t be a bad combo
@@MattJacobs I was just warming up to the possibility of a Fujifilm body and noticed that they seem to be quietly quitting the business... no more X-E4, X-Pro3 etc etc... 😥
@@MattJacobs As I understand it the recently discontinued models are not being replaced and the overall range of bodies on offer will be less going forward. Sad.
So for a person on a budget... I have the Fuji 15-45 which is actually quite nice but rather slow. Is it worth it to pay more for the TTArtisans 27 f2.8 with autofocus as compared to the 25 f2 w/ manual? I'm mainly thinking of image quality at f2.8. Thanks!
I do think the 27mm is a better lens all around except maybe build quality (it is very light compared the manual focus 25mm). The 27mm is also really great optically wide open, you just need to watch out for the vignette at all apertures. I also have a review of the 27mm if you’d like to see more of my thoughts on that
You have to learn how to use a camera especially Fuji users with no experience before you blame a lens for your inexperience with using mirror less cameras . Watch and learn from professionals Peter Forsgard, Jimmy Cheng , Robin Wong , Rob Trek, know your gear and how to use it .
I literally am a professional photographer and videographer. Hate to break it to you, but faulting a lens for objective issues it has doesn’t mean a lack of experience. I’m sorry I spoke negatively about a lens you like but I would rather point out its flaws for potential buyers to make a fully informed decision. Thats a lot more helpful than “oh man I just LOVE this lens!!”
Having used this lens for about 2 months, I agree with your comments on colors and corner sharpness. However, Adding some Clarity in Lightroom and playing with Light sliders (Blacks, Whites, Shadows, Highlights) produces awesome results. With regard to corner sharpness, if people are looking at the corners of your photos, you need to work on your composition! 🙂
Well thought out review, thanks. I’m very happy with the TTA 27mm that came with my used X-E2. I actually grab it more than my Fuji XF 18-55mm because of the size and weight. The 18-55mm does have better contrast and better flare resistance, and the built in OIS is essential in low light. But the TTA 27mm works great as a point and shoot around the house or if I’m just walking around the neighborhood.
These lenses are great for having fun, photography isn’t all about technical perfection.
A lot of those issues are more present on Fuji systems because of the mount, it has not the proper distance, many Fuji users had found a lot of issues using focus peaking in longer distances than 3m…. Some of those issues are not that present or dramatic on other systems like Sony because the mount has the right size, I use it and yes, it’s not perfect, it works if you want the vintage lens look and if you are not looking for clinical perfect images and focus (it’s possible to achieve). I use it a lot and I find it fun and totally usable, I’ve used a lot of voigtlander and m mount lenses and certainly the quality is not the same, but how much image quality do you need to make a photo speaks and work? When you study your photobooks do you use a magnifying glass or watch the whole thing? Notice most of fotographers using this kind of lenses look for “in focus enough” not clinical perfect, and I believe this kind of lenses have that goal or niche in mind. Also I found ironic…. With a modern lens we edit heavily to make it more natural less sharp and more organic, so with these lenses you also will edit to get rid of some issues, so with both you end up working in Lightroom until you have a final product… or you shoot in film with worst or equal quality lenses, also depending on the skills of scanning guy at the lab and at the end, guess what? You will edit it in Lightroom lol
I bought a very cheap, used x-e2, mainly because the previous owner ham-handedly removed the fuji logos in the frond and on top, plastered over the holes and painted all of this with a shiny black.
So out of pitty i wanted to give this x-e2 it's dignitiy back, evend out the holes and plaster and gave it a olive green finish. I don't really want to shoot it regularly, but i won't ever sell it, because i'm a but proud about the outcome.
The ttartisan will be the lens to display this camera on my cupboard. And maybe i will pick it up sometimes to have a little fun with it...
Hey, just recently bought an xe2 and have been struggling to pick a lens cause im a total beginner, which would you recommend?
@@lemonwillow Well, it depends on what you like to do with it. Zoom or fixed focal length?
The best starter-zoom for sure is the 18-55mm 2.8-4. You can´t do wrong with it, if you don´t know what you like to do with it.
I´m a fixed focal length guy and my most used lens is the 23mm f2. A moderate wide angle. Very versatile and the focal length of the x100-series. A bit tricky when you start photography. For beginners I would recommend the 35mm, because it gives you basically what you see and it is very easy to find compositions of the stuff you want to make photos of .
If you want to have a lens for your camera to carry around, the 27mm 2.8 ttartisan is very small and for that price it´s good value.
Not my focal length, can´t get any compositions out of it, but others do wonders with it.
It's great for b&w. Also, use a lens hood.
Perhaps you received a different TT Artisans 25mm f/2 than I did. Mine is fabulous. In fact I was so impressed with it I also bought its big brother the 50mm f/2 (looks nearly identical to the 25). Of course I understand there can be significant variations in the quality of the same Chinese lens so perhaps that's the problem. I've read/watched a number of other reviews of the lens from those whose experience is more like mine. Keeping in mind that I bought mine for the micro 4/3rds camera system so maybe that makes a difference?🥹
Does it work with focus peaking for ur camera??
Of course any manual focus lens from any manufacturer will work with peaking
The bokeh is exactly the same messed up thing, than my Meike 28/2.8 manual focus lens. Very weirdo. And the IQ from that cheapest 25 F2 TTA isn't great either way. FYI, i do have 5 TTA lenses.
I'm using this lens on micro43 Olympus. I like how it gets blown by light source near the subject.
The only thing i don't like is how hard to focus on this lens. From the infinity to 1,5m mark is about 1cm of focus ring travel. Closing the aperture to, for example, f8 doesn't help. If I miss focusing even a bit- pictures turn out blurry.
Exactly. You are the very few on the internet saying "what is the point of getting this...". Yes, it is cheap, and yes, it has a high quality to price ratio. But wait a minute, any kit lens, especially used, is only tiny bit more expensive and definitely outperforms it with a even higher quality to price ratio.
THANK YOU for being clear about the downsides. So many people are reviewing this sounding like shills going "oh wow it's great. It's only $60. Awesome". I have a Kamlan lens with some similar defects and I don't like using it
Wich kamlan ? The 15mm?
I sent mine back after 4 days. Mostly for reasons you mentioned, plus it’s disappointing results when using hyperfocal focusing
You might be *really* surprised - i have both lenses here since release, but sold the MF 25/F2, because the rendering, Bokeh was not my style, and IQ, i sold it after a few test shots. The brand new 7Artisans 27/2.8 AF now for E-mount is incredible value. It does have a specific, signature look - you can't just fake easily. It's bigger, than the TTA 27/2.8 AF, no aperture ring, but otherwise it draws beautiful, no vignetting like the TTA, metal build, metal mount, well damped metal focus ring.
I dont think the ttartisan lens is just a temporary until upgrade lense. Right now I have a Fuji 18mm f1.4 wr, Fuji 33mm f1.4 wr, Fuji 50mm f2, and Fuji 90mm f2. The reason I am wanting to get this lens(ttartisan 25mm f2), is because its NOT clinical. I am wanting an imperfect lens with some character.
really really cheap lens for walk-around purposes :D Been using it with the XE1 (autofocus slows and sucks) so the TTartisan shines
I have the same setup and the images are fantastic. I think I got lucky with one of the good copies.
interesting.. I think you can get creative, and its very pocketable, and with it being a bit cheap you can chuck it around.. Not everything has to be sharp right?
Excellent videos. Your coverage on the manual focus lenses are awesome. I heard a rumor that voightlander is making an x mount 27mm manual focus. It won’t beat the ttartisan 27mm , for the price. Keep up the good work!
It's out now... and it's fricking beautiful. It's also six hundred dollars. LOL.
It's cheap, it's tough, it's pocketable.
Ideal for my cheap, tough pocketable X-E2, not so great for my X-S10.
I wonder if you got an especially bad copy of the 25 or if I got an especially good one. I hate flare and washed out images and I haven’t had those issues with the 25. I do see the light and focus falloff (but I love that). On the other hand, I definitely had the muddy close-focus resolution of the 23mm f2, as opposed to the TTArtisans 25mm’s impressive sharpness.
It’s possible, quality control varies greatly with these third party companies. Could also be possible that you tend to shoot in situations which don’t wash out the image
it is a very small (nearly pancake), manual lens for $64. Sure, it is a bit quirky ... but that's part of the fun!
My copy of the 25mm lens didn’t have that extreme loss of contrast like yours did, converse I also bought the 50mm f2 that did have bad ghosting
will this have better low light performance than my sony kit lens 15-50mm 3.5-5.6?
Yeah 2.8 lets in more light than those apertures
honest review
What do you recommend 25 f2 or 27 2.8?
In overall comparison
27mm f/2.8
Thanks
Well if your old like me. Then the music intro sounds similar to... Josies on a vacation far away...😊 "your love" by the outfield
Also reminds me of “I got my first real six string, bought it at the five and dine”
@@MattJacobs yep yep. You are right
Do you know of a way to bring up the zoomed view in the camera's LCD/EVF with this lens to set focus (the same way it shows up when we touch the focus ring on a 'official' lens set to MF)?
I find it difficult to use wide aperture with this lens because I don't have good feedback of how in focus it is.
On Fujifilm - press the Disp back button twice to have a zoomed in view beside the normal view permanently. Alternatively set a button to focus check. Pal2tech has a good video on it
@@AryaArun31 Amazing, thanks so much! The double display doesn't work on my x-s20, but have assigned focus check to one of the buttons and that's working perfectly!
Is the TTArtisan 25mm f/2 good for vlogging? In case I want to walk in the streets and make a video of myself on a sony a6700?
No way too tight of a focal length
@@MattJacobs which small, cheap lens do you recommend?
Seems like you’re looking for something under $100 which limits your options pretty severely. Check out the video I made on the AstrHori 10mm f/8 fisheye body cap lens. It doesn’t let in very much light at f/8 so you’ll need to vlog during the day but it sounds like that’s what you’re looking for. Here’s a link:
ruclips.net/video/weyWYYDpc5E/видео.html
Your footage will likely be a bit shaky since the a6700 doesn’t have the best ibis I believe so just walk carefully.
What’s up, Matt! Good to see some content from one of my favorite creators ✊ just started so I don’t have a comment on the video content but am watching now. Hope you’re doing well.
Watched it. Helpful review. The corner blurring is a deal breaker for me. I’ll take poor build quality of the image is decent enough, but the blurring and lack of contrast is a nah for me.
which is better, the ttartisan 25 f2 or the 7artisans 25 f1.8?
Probably the TTartisan I find their lenses to be higher quality in general
@@MattJacobs Untrue, Matt. The 7Artisans 35mm F1.4 Wen smokes the TTA 35/1.4 ASPH. The 7Artisans 35/F2 Wen II is also a extraordinary value. See Erick's Photo 2020 Video here on YT - 7A 35/1.4 does have better microcontrast, sharpness than TTA 35/1.4, which does rely onto a cheaper, optical construction - it's just laws of physics, mathematics - simple as that. And nowadays, the all new 7A 27mm F2.8 AF (E-mount) is sharper, more contrasty, renders really better - than the TTA 27/2.8 AF - which could being seen as a cheapskate Fujifilm X-mount lens.
FYI, i do own serveral 7Artisans *and* TTArtisans lenses. 🙂
I am planning to buy a fuji. But unsure if I should buy the kit lens (18-55) along with or buy any 2 lenses from the ttartisan line up (25/2, 35/1.4, 50/1.2). Kindly bestow wise advice on this novice.
What are you planning to shoot? Any video?
Came back just to say that. Gosh you are quick. Usage would be mainly photography: travel, street and portrait
And I don't plan to buy any more lenses apart from the initial ones. So, would like to know if I bought the ttartisan lenses, would i still end up wanting the costlier fuji lenses (zoom or prime)?
Well yeah, the Fuji lenses are better all around than the TTArtisans hence the price. If you can afford more expensive Fuji lenses you won’t regret getting them. The 18-55 and 35 f/1.4 wouldn’t be a bad combo
@@MattJacobs you mean 35mm from Ttartisan right? A kit and also a prime from Fuji would probably bankrupt me
The Sigma 30/1.4 blows this away for some more $$ but far superior optical performance
If I want af in that focal length I’ll use my even more expensive but even more superior xf 33mm f/1.4
@@MattJacobs I was just warming up to the possibility of a Fujifilm body and noticed that they seem to be quietly quitting the business... no more X-E4, X-Pro3 etc etc... 😥
Not quitting, replacing with newer models. Buy those bodies used if you want them they’re no longer being made new
@@MattJacobs As I understand it the recently discontinued models are not being replaced and the overall range of bodies on offer will be less going forward. Sad.
yeah but the fun of this is keeping it in your pocket
Fuji don't have fast pancake probably fearing sales of x100 cameras.
Which one is better 23f1.4 or 25 f2??
I think 25 f/2 overall. 23 f/1.4 has crazy field curvature
Do they use the same size filters?
Great video!
Where is the vs 27mm 2.8 comparision 🤔
Might be a good idea to watch the video before commenting lol. 1:57
27mm f/2.8 full review:
ruclips.net/video/fO5cQEIisLY/видео.html
@@MattJacobs I expected a comparision regarding image quality...
Corners are not as bad as you show at f8 and beyond.
Could’ve just been my copy
So for a person on a budget... I have the Fuji 15-45 which is actually quite nice but rather slow. Is it worth it to pay more for the TTArtisans 27 f2.8 with autofocus as compared to the 25 f2 w/ manual? I'm mainly thinking of image quality at f2.8. Thanks!
I do think the 27mm is a better lens all around except maybe build quality (it is very light compared the manual focus 25mm). The 27mm is also really great optically wide open, you just need to watch out for the vignette at all apertures. I also have a review of the 27mm if you’d like to see more of my thoughts on that
@@MattJacobs Thanks! Checking out that 27mm review video now.
You have to learn how to use a camera especially Fuji users with no experience before you blame a lens for your inexperience with using mirror less cameras . Watch and learn from professionals Peter Forsgard, Jimmy Cheng , Robin Wong , Rob Trek, know your gear and how to use it .
I literally am a professional photographer and videographer. Hate to break it to you, but faulting a lens for objective issues it has doesn’t mean a lack of experience.
I’m sorry I spoke negatively about a lens you like but I would rather point out its flaws for potential buyers to make a fully informed decision. Thats a lot more helpful than “oh man I just LOVE this lens!!”
How did anyone think this was a great, or even good, video?
What do you think could be improved? Your comment as it stands isn’t very constructive.