TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 Review
The TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 for Fujifilm X mount mounted on a Fujifilm X-H2S. The background photos used for the product shots in this review are from my personal photo books and are not captured with the TT Artisan lens.
TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 for Fujifilm X Mount
TTArtisan is on a roll with yet another manual focus lens announcement, the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95. This past summer I reviewed the TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95 and 18 months ago I reviewed the 7Artisans 35mm f/0.95.
Throughout this review, I will draw comparisons between these three lenses, and provide new sample images from the new TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95. I will try my best to let you know who this lens might be for and to give realistic expectations of what kind of images you can hope to create with it.
The TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Introduction
The TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 was released in November 2022 and is made for Fujifilm X mount, Sony E, Canon RF, Canon M, Nikon Z, L-Mount, and Micro four-thirds.
At the time this review was last updated, the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 was priced at $199.00.
TTArtisan provided this lens for my review but has not dictated a narrative in any way.
Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 - Handling and Specs
The TTArtisan is basically a mini TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95. They have repeated this relatively new design again for the 35mm f/0.95 with its silver-colored chiseled-out groves on the focus ring and aperture rings.
Initially, I was not thrilled about this design but I have to admit it is growing on me. Perhaps it is due to the proportions of the 35mm f/0.95 and I would have to say the lens looks rather stunning on my X-Pro3 and quite good on the X-H2S also.
Whereas the focus ring was tight on the 50mm f/0.95 it is perfectly dampened on the 35mm f/0.95 with no variations throughout the focus range. It feels quite luxurious for a lens in this price range.
The same can be said about the aperture ring which is clickable in half stops which is an improvement over the 50mm which can only be clicked in full stops from f/4 onwards.
When compared to the 7Artisans 35mm f/0.95 this is a big improvement as the aperture on that lens is non-clickable and easily moved out of position inadvertently.
At 8.7 oz, 247 g, the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 is lighter and more compact than the 50mm f/0.95 which is 14.5 oz, 411 g. It is also only two-thirds of the weight of the 7Artisans 35mm f/0.95.
The all-metal construction makes for a solid feel and all-in-all everything to this point should make you smile as it feels quite premium.
TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 in Action
Thanks to Fujifilm Canada I had the Fujifilm X-H2S during the same time as I was testing the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95. Manually focusing was a tad easier using the new 5.76m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and preferred over my usual X-Pro3.
From the get-go, I was a bit disappointed in how soft the images looked at f/0.95, even in the viewfinder. The fact that I had a larger than usual EVF in the X-H2S could have something to do with this but for many of my sample images, I refrained from shooting the lens wide-open. However, already at f/1.4, there are visible improvements.
Other than the initial worry about wide-open performance the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 worked as I expected and I mostly used it in the f/2.8 to f/8 range for the sample images in this review.
The biggest tactile improvement lies in the focus ring and especially the clickable aperture ring. Also, the compact nature of the lens makes it a joy to carry.
TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 - Image Quality
Please see the two series of photos below. In the first four frames, I shot the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 at a mid-range distance and focused on the hand in the image. The four photos are captured at f/0.95, f/1.4, f/2, and f/2.8.
Then I repeated the same scenario with a close-up a scenario and again focused on the hand in the image.
Please click to view larger photos.
TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 mid-range bokeh/sharpness test
TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 close-up bokeh/sharpness test
As mentioned above, images at f/0.95 are soft but usable if you can nail the focus.
Bokeh is somewhat distressed wide open but bokeh and sharpness improves already by f/1.4 and bokeh starts to look pretty decent by f/2. Corner sharpness is not a strength and you need to stop down to f/8 to clean things up.
With that said, clicking through my sample images, and viewing them full screen the overall image is decent for a lens at this price point. Fujifilm lenses are better but that should be no surprise and they also cost more.
Overall the image quality is similar to its sibling, the TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95 but I think the 50mm is slightly better and I found the 7Artisans f/0.95 to have better performance when shot wide open with a more pleasing bokeh and a character I liked.
The sample images in this review can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide, depending on your monitor size.
Conclusion
Aesthetic looks/feel, performance, and price are all parameters that will play into your buying decision.
When it comes to looks and feel, the TTArtisan f/0.95 in ways exceeds what you may be used to from your Fujifilm lenses but it is, of course, subjective and depends on your taste.
If performance and flexibility are priorities a Fujifilm lens will serve you better but will also cost you more.
The camera-to-lens size ratio on the X-H2S and X-Pro3 was quite ideal but do not expect an optical marvel in the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95. It struggles wide open but I hope that the sample images also show that you can create decent results.
Optically I preferred the 7Artisans 35mm f/0.95 but found the clickless aperture ring slightly annoying. The 7Artisans is bigger, weighs, and costs slightly more with a regular price of $249.00.
If you are looking for a great all-around performer the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR, $399.00, should not be ignored but we should also address the fact that it is almost twice the cost of the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95.
On the tactile front, there is something very pleasing about the TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 and I will wrap this up with a couple of wishes/suggestions.
If perhaps TTArtisan would add contacts to this lens and thereby send EXIF info to the camera and perhaps concentrate on making it an f/1.4 max f-stop lens, but optically better wide open, I think they may have a winning combination.
This way we would have a seamless operation with our cameras and could enjoy the wonderful tactile feeling of a solidly built lens using manual focus.
Pros
Affordability
Excellent value for money spent
Build quality
Smooth focus ring
Cons
Image quality suffers when shot wide-open
No EXIF info to the camera
Manual focus only
Please see more sample images below
Price / Availability
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TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 - B&H Photos
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TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 - Sample Images
Please see the sample images below. Editing was done in Capture One and I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos. Some of the photos have been cropped slightly.
Please click to view larger images.
Burrard Street, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-H2S, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Hotel Georgia, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-H2S, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Robson Square, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-H2S, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Ambleside, West Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 @ f/5.6
East Vancouver, Fujifilm X-H2S, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
East Vancouver, Fujifilm X-H2S, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Vancouver Harbour, Fujifilm X-H2S, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 @ f/8
Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95 @ f/2.8
Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Mount Baker seen from Stanley Park, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan 35mm f/0.95
Third-Party Lenses for Fujifilm X-Mount
7Artisans 35mm f/0.95
7Artisans 55mm f/1.4 II
TTArtisan 17mm f/1.4
TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4
TTArtisan AF 27mm f/2.8
TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8
TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95
TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2
TTArtisan 50mm f/2
Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF
Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF
Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 XF
Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF
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