Is the TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 the Best Budget Portrait Lens?

If you’ve been on the lookout for a low-cost portrait lens for your Sony or Nikon camera, the TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 could be worth your attention. With its f/2 aperture, it offers a combination of smooth background blur and sharp image quality, perfect for portraits.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this in-depth video reviews the TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 lens, designed for Sony E mount and Nikon Z mount cameras. With a price tag of around $200, it’s an attractive option for budget-conscious users. The lens features a full-metal build, which is quite surprising for a product in this price range. It feels solid and well-constructed, but Abbott does point out the lack of weather-sealing, a downside for those planning to use it in more challenging environments. The aperture ring, a nice touch, offers smooth clicks for precise adjustments, though it can sometimes slip out of position.

Optically, the lens performs well for its price. On a full frame camera, sharpness in the center is impressive at f/2, though the corners show some softness. By f/4, the overall sharpness improves, and the lens holds up nicely down to f/11.

One issue that may give you pause is the autofocus performance. Abbott notes that the autofocus motor, while silent, is on the slower side and isn’t always accurate. He experienced about a 20% miss rate, which means you’ll need to double-check your shots. This could be a dealbreaker for those who rely on fast, precise focus in critical moments. For portrait photographers working in controlled settings, however, the slower autofocus might be manageable.

In terms of image quality, the TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 lens handles chromatic aberration well, even wide open. However, vignetting at f/2 is significant, and you’ll want to stop down to f/2.8 or f/4 to see a noticeable improvement. The lens also struggles with flare when shooting against bright light, so using the included hood is recommended. Despite these minor flaws, the lens offers  surprisingly pleasant bokeh, creating smooth background separation. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Abbott.