How Good Is This Ultra-Affordable Portrait Lens?

Portrait lenses are often quite expensive, with some easily running north of $2,000. That's why, at $168, the TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 is an intriguing option for Nikon Z, Sony E, and Fujifilm X APS-C users. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this great video review takes a look at the affordable TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 lens. With an equivalent focal length of 84mm and a price of just $168, the 56mm f/1.8 is extremely affordable by portrait lens standards, though it still comes with a nice range of features, including: 

  • Frame: APS-C
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9 for smoother bokeh
  • Filter Size: 52mm
  • Optical Design: 10 elements in 9 groups (including 1 ultra-low dispersion element and 2 high-index glasses for reduced distortion and increased sharpness)
  • Angle of View: 28°
  • Focus Method: Autofocus (STM and lead screw type) with eye detection
  • Closest Focus Distance: 0.5 m
  • Weight: Approximately 233-245 g
  • Mount: Available in E, X, and Z mounts
  • Material: Aviation aluminum lens barrel and mount
  • Additional Features: Type-C interface for firmware updates 

Of course, at the price, you should not expect the sort of performance that will rival the most premium options, but for the price, it is hard to beat what you get, particularly with the addition of autofocus. Check out the video above for Frost's full thoughts on the lens. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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2 Comments

I wish these companies would offer OIS for their lenses, especially for Z mount where Nikon likes to skimp on IBIS.

Funny, I was thinking about VR/OIS on my Z mount Nikons and looking for it in the specs, too.