TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 Review
The brand new TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 for Fujifilm X-Mount
A Hands-On Review of the TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 for Fujifilm X-Mount
I will admit when TTArtisan offered to send me their new AF 35mm f/1.8 X lens for a review, I thought to myself; What can they possibly come up with to compliment the excellent lens choices we have from Fujifilm in this focal length range?
This is only the second autofocus lens for Fujifilm X-Mount from TTArtisan but considering that the AF 27mm f/2.8 was quite likable at an affordable price point, perhaps the new AF 35mm f/1.8 would continue this trend.
I took it out for a spin on a fall weekend here in Vancouver and have a few points to share with you along with several sample images.
Introduction
The TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 was announced earlier this month and in this review, we are taking a look at the Fujifilm X-Mount version. The lens will also be available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts.
TTArtisan provided this lens for my review but has not dictated or suggested a narrative in any way.
At the time this review was posted, the price of the TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 was unknown but the review has now been updated to reflect the affordable price point of $149.00.
Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/2
TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 - Handling and Specs
Weight: 7.9 oz / 225 g on my kitchen scale. The official numbers state 199-205g depending on which version you have.
Filter size 52 mm
Minimum focusing distance: 23.6" / 60 cm
10 elements in 8 groups, including two hi-index elements and one ED element
9-blade diaphragm
53mm full-frame equivalent focal length
The rear lens cap has a USB-C interface which can be used for firmware upgrades
There is no mention of weather sealing.
The first thing that jumps out with the TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 is its sleek minimalistic design with an almost all-black look that is edgy and yet well-rounded with a snugly fitting tapered lens hood.
The lens hood is surely inspired by the Leica Q or many of the options offered by Squarehood, a Swedish lens hood manufacturer making classic-looking hoods.
If you stick a few pieces of black tape over the markings on the lens barrel you would indeed have a very discreet-looking setup.
It is worth mentioning that the AF 35mm f/1.8 does not have an aperture ring and you need to adjust this using a command dial on your camera.
With the metal mount, the lens feels solid without being too heavy. Overall I find this to be a good-looking lens with a nice feel to it.
TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 in Action
It is a familiar feeling that sets in when you mount the AF 35mm f/1.8, especially if you already have the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R. The two lenses are almost identical in size and weight. The XF 35mm f/1.4R does, however, have a dedicated aperture ring.
This similarity translates into near perfect balance/weight ratio to my X-Pro cameras and I would imagine it would be the same no matter which Fujifilm camera you have, even smaller cameras in the X-Series would not be dwarfed by the AF 35mm f/1.8.
Autofocus speed is okay but not super fast. I had no problems getting sharp images at the race track and I also used it at a private family gathering for our Canadian Thanksgiving and it did okay in a dimly lit room also.
Image Quality
I was happily surprised by the image quality from TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 and I hope my sample images will tell the tale.
Sharpness is excellent when stopped down a bit and even very decent when shot wide open. To boot it has a bit of character which I quite like, especially with black-and-white photos.
The colors look decent also but may not fully rival Fujifilm lenses if put under scrutiny. There is noticeable field curvature which is somewhat surprising as you mostly would see this in wide-angle lenses.
The sample images in this review can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide, depending on your monitor size. Please click to view larger images or pinch-zoom if on your mobile phone.
Conclusion
The absence of an aperture as on the AF 35mm f/1.8 is often enough reason to skip lenses for some Fujifilm photographers. It is after all one of the hallmarks of the Fujifilm experience. I am slightly torn on this issue.
It is a wonderful tactile feeling to change the aperture on a lens and something I have been doing for years on film cameras and later on for Fuji cameras.
It is, however, not a monumental deal. I have used command dials on Canon digital SLRs for several years and most lately while testing a range of full-frame cameras. The new Nikon Zf, that I just got, and native Nikkor lenses do not have aperture rings and I still manage to get by.
The one advantage of setting your aperture on a command dial is the fact that you are less likely to bump it out of position inadvertently.
As a value proposition in comparison to Fujifilm’s 35mm lenses, I will save some space here at the bottom of this review until we know the price of the TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8. I will make sure to come back to this at a later point. I will, however, take a quick guess at the price which I think will be around $249.00, but please note I have no inside knowledge on this.
Without knowing the price but assuming it will be considerably less than the Fujifilm counterparts the TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 looks to complement a crowded field of lens options at the affordable end of the scale. Autofocus speed is decent but keep in mind it will not be as snappy as Fujifilm lenses.
The AF 35mm f/1.8 has stealthy looks with decent build quality and so far I have been impressed with the images it can produce.
Update, January 2024
Now that we know the retail price of TTArtsan AF 35mm f/1.8 to be $149.00 it is without a doubt a good value proposition.
Pros
Stealthy good looks
Decent build quality
Surprisingly good image quality
Cons
Lacks weather sealing but at the low pricepoint this should not be expected
Does not have an aperture ring
Price / Availability
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TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 XF - B&H Photo
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TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 - 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.
English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8
English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/4.5
English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/6.4
Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/2.8
Photo by: Simon Svane Als
Hastings Race Track, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8
Hastings Race Track, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/3.6
Hastings Race Track, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8
Hastings Race Track, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/2.2
Hastings Race Track, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/2.8
Hastings Race Track, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8
Hastings Race Track, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8
Howe Sound, Horseshoe Bay, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan AF 27mm f/2.8 XF @ f/4.5
Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, TTArtisan AF 27mm f/2.8 XF @ f/4.5
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