This is the TTArtisan AF 27mm F/2.8 'pancake' for Nikon Z mount - APSC (crop sensor/DX)
A 27mm lens on an APSC camera, gives an effective field of view similar to 40mm on a full-frame (FX) camera, this makes for a great walk-about lens weighing in around 100 grams. It is very similar to the Fuji XF 27mm f/2.8 but also has an aperture ring which clicks as you select a value.
This focal length is ideal for general photography, travel, family photos and the lens is so small and unobtrusive that when mounted to a tiny camera like the Nikon Z30, I found myself carrying the combo around regularly.
In hand, the lens feels very well constructed and even has a metal mount which is unexpected considering the low price point.
A 27mm lens on an APSC camera, gives an effective field of view similar to 40mm on a full-frame (FX) camera, this makes for a great walk-about lens weighing in around 100 grams. It is very similar to the Fuji XF 27mm f/2.8 but also has an aperture ring which clicks as you select a value.
This focal length is ideal for general photography, travel, family photos and the lens is so small and unobtrusive that when mounted to a tiny camera like the Nikon Z30, I found myself carrying the combo around regularly.
In hand, the lens feels very well constructed and even has a metal mount which is unexpected considering the low price point.
Why is it great ?
- Very small.
- Centrally very sharp.
- Lightweight.
- Inexpensive.
- Z-Mount compatible and works with eye focus.
- Lots of character.
- Aesthetically pleasing flares (good and bad).
- Aesthetically pleasing bloom.
- USB dock built into the rear dust cap.
- Unit shipped in a well padded box with security/tamper stickers and everything you need including the lens hood.
Why is average ?
- Focus motors are slow-to-average, acceptable for slow moving subjects/portraits but too slow for tracking animals running.
- Focus motors are audible.
- Vignette prominent esp at f/2.8 to f/4
- Close focus (MFD 35cm) feels far.
- Aperture ring, nice to have but as the lens is so small I found it difficult to reach. I had the camera control the aperture instead.
Why is it not ?
- Flare (good and bad).
- Moderate bloom at f/2.8 (good and bad).
- Distortion is very noticeable even in profile corrected images.
- Focus motors are too slow for tracking fast targets.
- Lens does not trigger low light af, opening of aperture blades in AFS nor triggering the focus beam as Z lens does.
- Lens inner barrel moves to focus, I would only use this with a lens filter attached if you want to stop dirt and dust getting inside.
On an afternoon walk with the dogs, shooting into the sun shows off the flare and bloom of the lens at f/2.8, which personally I find quite pleasing.
The running dogs highlighted the slow focus motor speed - where out of 30 images, only one image is barely in-focus. Paired with a faster lens the camera has no issues in this situation normally.
Obviously this is not the intended scenario for this lens, especially being a pancake in design - however, it is something to be aware of if you are running around with children or animals - You will need a faster motored lens. This lens is more suited to a slower pace where you have the time to focus/prefocus.
The running dogs highlighted the slow focus motor speed - where out of 30 images, only one image is barely in-focus. Paired with a faster lens the camera has no issues in this situation normally.
Obviously this is not the intended scenario for this lens, especially being a pancake in design - however, it is something to be aware of if you are running around with children or animals - You will need a faster motored lens. This lens is more suited to a slower pace where you have the time to focus/prefocus.
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/640, f/2.8
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/400, f/2.8
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/1000, f/2.8
I wouldn't normally bring a camera on my morning walk but as this combo fits conveniently in my jacket pocket, I have been carrying it around more often.
Shooting into the sun, the flare and bloom is very soft and romantic at f/2.8 and is very pronounced compared to the same shot at f/4 also, note the not-so-smooth - nervous bokeh in the foreground flowers which is a bit distracting.
Shooting into the sun, the flare and bloom is very soft and romantic at f/2.8 and is very pronounced compared to the same shot at f/4 also, note the not-so-smooth - nervous bokeh in the foreground flowers which is a bit distracting.
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/1250, f/2.8
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/640, f/2.8
Very impressive Chromatic Aberration (CA) control, where even the out of focus water droplets on the spider web has very little CA visible.
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/80, f/4.0
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/80, f/4.0
Looking behind the flowers on the right hand side of the frame, the out of focus highlights (OOFH) - the water reflecting off the grass - these change from cats eyes at f/2.8 to a heptagon as you stop down.
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/2500, f/2.8
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/1250, f/4.0
This test will illustrate the TT 27 distortion and vignette, even with lens correction applied in Lightroom, shading is very noticeable, as is the distortion.
You may be wondering why there is an X on the wall - well, camera and lens combo was struggling in low-light to focus without a distinct contrast line. Swapping to a Z40 f/2, the camera was much quicker and more accurate, several of these shots especially at f/5.6 and f/8 struggled to get a clear focus lock and despite being on AFS - I couldn't see the aperture open up like Z glass does, nor did it initiate low light focus or even trigger the focus beam.
You may be wondering why there is an X on the wall - well, camera and lens combo was struggling in low-light to focus without a distinct contrast line. Swapping to a Z40 f/2, the camera was much quicker and more accurate, several of these shots especially at f/5.6 and f/8 struggled to get a clear focus lock and despite being on AFS - I couldn't see the aperture open up like Z glass does, nor did it initiate low light focus or even trigger the focus beam.
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/4, f/2.8
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 0.4, f/4.0
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 0.8, f/5.6
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 2.5, f/8.0
Finally, a very non-scientific sharpness test - visual - especially centrally, this lens has no issues resolving very very sharp images.
Nikon Z30, TT 27 - 1/400, f/4.0
Conclusion:
The TT Artisan 27mm f/2.8 makes a great alternative to existing native Z mount options, it renders images with loads of character, is very small and light which makes it easy to have with You at all times.
Furthermore, you can extend the 'Old School' nostalgic feel by heading over to https://nikonpc.com/ and import some of the fuji/kodak/agfa film emulations to your Nikon bodies :)
The TT Artisan 27mm f/2.8 makes a great alternative to existing native Z mount options, it renders images with loads of character, is very small and light which makes it easy to have with You at all times.
Furthermore, you can extend the 'Old School' nostalgic feel by heading over to https://nikonpc.com/ and import some of the fuji/kodak/agfa film emulations to your Nikon bodies :)
-Alex
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