Wide angle prime lenses are favorites for their versatility, whether for street photography, environmental portraits, or everyday snapshots. The TTArtisan AF 23mm f/1.8 lens offers a budget-friendly entry into this category, raising questions about how it holds up in terms of build quality, autofocus, and image performance.
Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this thorough video review looks at the TTArtisan 23mm f/1.8, a compact APS-C lens available for Fujifilm X, Sony E, and Nikon Z mounts. Abbott highlights its value, with a full frame equivalent focal length of 35mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, perfect for achieving shallow depth of field. Priced at just $125, it’s an accessible option for those looking to experiment with prime lenses without breaking the bank. The lens features a metal build and a minimalist design, but Fuji users may miss an aperture ring, a hallmark of Fuji’s ecosystem. Abbott also notes that while the manual focus ring feels good, focus behavior in manual mode on Fuji cameras can be less intuitive than expected.
Key Specs
- Focal length: 23mm (35mm full-frame equivalent)
- Maximum aperture: f/1.8
- Optical design: 11 elements in 9 groups
- Autofocus: Lead screw-type STM motor
- Filter size: 52mm
- Weight: 210 g (7.4 oz)
The lens includes a plastic hood that’s an improvement over earlier designs. It’s more practical, allowing for reverse storage and filter use. Abbott points out a unique feature: firmware updates can be performed via a USB-C port built into the rear lens cap, eliminating the need for a port on the lens body itself.
Autofocus performance is generally reliable for everyday use, although it’s not designed for fast action. While its speed is on the slower side, it provides consistent accuracy for family shots and casual photography. In video mode, autofocus shows some stepping and focus breathing, which may stand out in certain scenarios, especially on Fuji cameras. Still, Abbott finds its performance sufficient for undemanding video work.
Optical performance is where the lens delivers mixed results. Center and mid-frame sharpness are good at wider apertures, with better-than-expected results for a lens at this price point. However, corner sharpness remains weak, and issues like heavy vignetting and flare become noticeable in certain conditions. Chromatic aberrations are relatively well controlled, marking an improvement over older TTArtisan designs. The lens renders pleasant bokeh, though some users might find its slightly swirly character distracting.
For anyone seeking an affordable lens with decent build quality and personality, this lens could fit the bill. While it has its flaws, its value-to-price ratio is hard to ignore. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Abbott.
