Review of TTArtisan AF 23/1.8 ED (for APS-C, FujiFIlm X, Sony E, Nikon Z)

Navigation

1. In short
2. Main Specifications
3. Assembly
4. Focusing
5. Firmware Upgrade
6. Image quality
7. Photo examples (+ source files)
8. Price
9. My experience
10. Video review
11. Results
12. User Comments
13. Add your review or question on the lens

In this review I will refer to the TTArtisan AF 23/1.8 ED lens as the 'TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF'.

It's important: This review shows the TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF version for Sony mirrorless cameras with bayonet mount fujifilm x and with firmware version V1.0.7. At the same time, there are modifications of this lens for mirrorless cameras APS-C Nikon Z (Nikon DX) и Sony APS-C E-mount.

In short

TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF is a modern lens for mirrorless cameras with a cropped APS-C sensor (the coefficient crop factor Kf=1.5x). In terms of its parameters, the TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF is a very attractive solution. Automatic focusing is performed using a stepper motor. The image quality is at a good level, but the obvious disadvantages include a drop in resolution in the far corners of the frame and poor performance in backlight.

The price of the new TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF is low and amounts to approximately 160 dollars.

Such 23-24-25 mm lenses are in great demand and can be considered standard solutions for everyday photography tasks.

• for the system APS-C Sony E-mount The TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF lens is an alternative to the original autofocus similar lens Carl Zeiss Sonnar E 1,8 / 24 ZA T * (Sony SEL24F18Z).
• for the system APS-C Nikon Z (Nikon DX) The TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF lens is an alternative to the original autofocus similar lens Nikon Nikkor ZDX 24mm 1:1.7
• for the system APS-C FujiFilm X The TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF lens is an alternative to the original autofocus lens FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 23mm 1: 2 R WR.

It's important: when searching and choosing autofocus optics for fujifilm x Use these very useful links:

• All autofocus lenses for FujiFilm X (original and third-party)
• All Viltrox Lenses

Below are all the fast 21-29mm autofocus lenses for mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor:

1. Sony 24/1.8 ZEISS (E)
2. Fujinon 23/1.4 XF R (X)
3. Fujinon 23/1.4 XF R WR LM (X)
4. Fujinon 23/2 XF R WR (X)
5. Fujinon 27/2.8 XF (X)
6. Fujinon 27/2.8 XF R WR (X)
7. Canon 22/2 (EF-M)
8. Canon 28/3.5 (EF-M)
9. Leica 23/2 (L/T/TL/CL)
10. Nikon 24/1.7 (Z)
11. Samsung 20/2.8 (NX)
12. Sigma 23/1.4 (X, E, L, RFS)
13. Viltrox 23/1.4 (E, X, Z, M)
14. Viltrox 27/1.2 (E, X, Z)
15. Viltrox 25/1.7 (E, X, Z)
16. Tokina 23/1.4 (E, X)
17. Yongnuo 23/1.4 (E, Z)
18. TTArtisan 27/2.8 (E, X, Z)
19. TTArtisan 23/1.8 (E, X, Z)
20. Sirui 23/1.2 (E, X, Z)
21. 7Artisans 25/1.8 AF (E, Z, X)
22. 7Artisans 27/2.8 (E, D52)
23. 7Artisans 27 / 2.8 II (Z, X, D39)
24. Ulanzi 27/2.8 (E)
25. Jintu 27/2.8 (E, X)
26. AstrHori 27/2.8 (X, Z)

Main technical characteristics of TTArtisan AF 23/1.8 ED:

Review Instance Name	On the lens barrel: TTArtisan AF 23/1.8 ED + data plate Near the front lens: TTArtisan AF 23/1.8 ED 0.3m/0.98ft Ø52mm On the box: TTArtisan AF 23mm f1.8
Basic properties	XF – the lens is designed for Fujifilm mirrorless cameras with X-mount AF (Acles Focus) - the lens supports auto focus STM (Scarpets Motor) - focusing stepper motor IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus ED (Extra Low Dispersion) - low dispersion elements in the optical scheme H.R.I. - elements with an ultra-high refractive index Special Coated optics, with protection of the front lens from water and dirt USB-port to update the firmware on the lens cover supplied (serves as a docking station) Electronic focus ring Included hood Important: lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its use
Front Filter Diameter	52 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length	23mm Equivalent Focal Length Sony E APS-C / APS-C Nikon Z (APS-C, Nikon DX) / APS-C FujiFilm X is 34.5 mm
Zoom ratio	1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by	for cropped mirrorless digital cameras. Theoretically, the lens is suitable for all digital mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses and mount SONY APS-C E/FE и APS-C Nikon Z (Nikon DX) и APS-C FujiFilm X
Number of aperture blades	9 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark hood attachment mark
Diaphragm	from F/1.8 to F/16 without aperture control ring
MDF	0.3 meters, maximum magnification ratio 1:8
The weight	200 grams (measured, only the lens itself, version under APS-C FujiFilm X)
Optical design	11 elements in 9 groups, including 2 low dispersion elements and 1 element with an ultra-high refractive index TTArtisan 23/1.8AF
Lens hood	Bayonet-type lens hood included in delivery
Manufacturer country	MADE IN CHINA (Made in China)
Period	Since january 2025
Instructions	Included in delivery
Price	About $160, see current prices on Aliexpress

The actual aperture ratio (T-stage) is quite high, and is at the T/1.9 level.

Assembly

The lens came for review new in its original box. The package does not include a USB cable for updating the firmware.

TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF has metal mountThe lens body (including the focusing ring) is also metal.

The TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF weighs about 200 grams. The build quality is high. The lens feels great in your hands.

The package includes a durable metal lens hood. The lens hood is a bayonet type and snaps into place. reliably. The hood cannot be installed in the reverse direction (transport mode).

The front and rear protective covers are plastic, massive, and easy to use.

The rear protective cover has contacts for the lens microprocessor and a USB port for updating the firmware, folds like a DOC station.

The aperture consists of 9 blades. At F/1.8-F/4 the aperture takes a fairly round shape. The aperture works quickly and does not stick.

It's important: When the lens is detached from the camera, or when the camera is turned off, or when the camera is in 'sleep' mode, the aperture blades are always closed down to f / 16.

Focusing

The lens has a built-in STM focusing stepper motor. The motor runs very quietly.

Auto focus speed average, closer to high. The focusing speed is sufficient for comfortable work in most photo tasks. On the Fujifilm X-T2 camera, the lens behaves very well.

The focusing ring is metal, wide, with veins. Electronic focusing ring, rotates very easily, has no extreme positions. The ring can be rotated with only one finger. There is virtually no lag in the electronic focusing ring.

During auto focus focus ring remains stationary.

Lens has internal focus, the front and rear lenses remain stationary during focusing. It is possible to use various filters without any problems.

The minimum focusing distance is 30 cm and the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 8.

Focus Features:

1. Important: The focusing performance of the TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF is highly dependent on the camera used.
2. TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF has a strong 'Focus Breathing' effect (changes in the angle of view during focusing). When focusing towards the middle focus area, the angle of view decreases.
3. Focus Shift (focus shift, changing focus distance due to iris)
4. TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF does not have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) that allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens to infinity under any external temperature conditions. For precise focusing to infinity, you cannot simply bring the focusing ring to the extreme position. This is a common problem with lenses with an electronic focusing ring.
5. Unknown compatibility with teleconverters.

Firmware Upgrade

The lens comes with a special rear protective cap, which also serves as a station for manipulating the lens firmware. The cap is equipped with a port USB TYPE-C 2.0 (a common port used by many smartphones and other devices). When connected to a computer, the lens is recognized as a 'TTArtisan' drive with a capacity of 0.99 MB. The drive contains a file LENS.txt - a text file with information about the lens and firmware.

To update you should download the firmware file from the official website and copy it to the 'TTArtisan' drive, wait 5 seconds, then make sure the text file shows the new firmware version. You may need to update the drive and/or connected devices. At the time of writing this review, there was no firmware update for this lens.

Image quality

Overall, the TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF's image quality has distinct strengths and weaknesses.

Resolution

• in the center of the frame at F/1.8 the lens is wonderful in terms of resolution
• there is a significant drop in sharpness towards the edges of the frame at F/1.8
• after approximately F/8, the resolution is at a very high level across the entire field of the frame
• significant coma at F/1.8-F/2.8

Distortion

• small pincushion distortion
• the overall level of distortion is at a level typical for such lenses
• the nature of distortion is unified, easily corrected in the editor

Vignetting

• the overall level of vignetting is at a level typical for such lenses
• significant vignetting is observed only at F/1.8
• vignetting almost disappears at F / 2.8-F / 4
• vignetting is easily fixable in the editor

Aberration

• there is a small amount of chromatic aberration at open apertures
• сlaby frijing (HA in the blur zone)
• aperture down to f / 4 significantly reduces the amount of HA

Rest

• the aperture opening at F/1.8-F/4 is quite round and smooth
• the lens does not tolerate side and back light well
• in many scenes, the lens can create a pleasant / neutral bokeh
• in the blur zone there is an additional influence of spherical (and possibly other) aberrations

There is no lens profile for the lens in popular RAW converters, but most likely the profile will appear shortly or you can create it yourself.

Sample photos on APS-C

The camera used was Fujifilm X-T2 (24 MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor). All photos in this review are shown without processing, according to the principles ZEROJPEG.

• Original photos in RAW format (Fujifilm '.RAF', 14-bit, uncompressed) you can watch/download it from this link (40+ files, Google Drive gallery).
• Original photos in JPEG format ('.jpg') you can watch/download it from this link (40+ files, Google Drive gallery).

Prices

Prices TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF on Aliexpress can look at this link.

My experience

I have been using this lens for about a month. The TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF autofocus works very well. There were no issues with the lens during the entire time I was using it. I also shot a lot of video with the TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF and the Fujifilm X-T2, and also used the Fujifilm X-T2 with this lens as a webcam to broadcast yoga classes. The TTArtisan 23/1.8 also performed very well in video mode.

Video review

Results

TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF – affordable standard fixed gear, costing about $160Optically, this is not the most balanced lens, but the low price makes it a worthwhile purchase.

main advantages

1. internal focusing, electronic wide focusing ring
2. Quiet and fast stepping focus motor, tenacious autofocus
3. good/excellent build quality: metal bayonet mount, metal body, lens hood included
4. USB port for firmware upgrade, easy firmware upgrade method
5. nine-petal diaphragm
6. modern complex optical design with special optical elements
7. nice / neutral drawing, which can be used as a good artistic technique during portraiture
8. high resolution in the center of the frame already at F/1.8
9. low distortion
10. good value for money

main disadvantages

1. no AF/MF focus mode switch
2. no aperture control ring
3. no image stabilizer
4. the lens is poorly protected from environmental influences
5. slight noise from the diaphragm mechanism
6. MDF could have been smaller (for example, Sony 24 / 1.8 it is only 16 cm, compared to 30 cm for TTArtisan 23/1.8 AF)
7. inconvenient back cover (due to the need to maintain the alignment of the microprocessor contacts)
8. poor performance in backlight, large amount of stray light and glare
9. poor resolution in the far corners of the frame
10. excessive spherical aberrations in the out-of-focus area (I rarely see this)

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.