Review of 7Artisans AF 27/2.8 (X-mount)

7Artisans AF 27/2.8 (X-mount). increase.

Main

7Artisans AF 27/2.8 is a lens for mirrorless cameras with FujiFilm X mount (X-mount/XF). Compact, lightweight, with a metal body and priced at just over $100.

Very important: there is an older similar lens 7Artisans AF 27/2.8 for Sony E-mount, which differs in design, as well as the diameter of the front filter (52 mm for E-mount, 39 mm for X-mount). In general, this is the same model, but you can often find that the 7Artisans AF 27 / 2.8 for Nikon Z (Z-mount) and Fujifilm X mounts is called the second version (7Artisans AF 27 / 2.8 II). 7Artisans AF 27 / 2.8 for Nikon Z mounts also has a slightly different body design, but also uses a filter diameter of 39 mm. Most likely, the lenses Ulanzi AF 27/2.8, Jintu AF 27/2.8 and AstrHori AF 27/2.8 are clones of 7Artisans AF 27/2.8.

Automatic focusing is performed by a stepper motor. On the FujiFilm XT-2 camera, automatic focusing works well, the focusing speed is high (closer to average). The “tenacity” and focusing accuracy with the FujiFilm XT-2 is at a comfortable level.

The aperture consists of only six blades, making it easy to achieve a pronounced six-ray star effect from bright point light sources.

Image quality is generally good, except for strong distortion and mediocre backlight performance.

It is a pity that the maximum relative aperture is only 1:2.8, this is the level of modern advanced zoom lenses (for example, 16-55/2.8 XF R LM WR Nano-GI, 16-55/2.8 XF R LM WR II, 18-50/2.8 C,  17-70/2.8 VC). For a fixed lens I would like something with a higher aperture (like the same inexpensive one TTArtisan AF 23/1.8 E/X/Z).

Appearance

Main technical characteristics of 7Artisans AF 27/2.8 X-mount:

Sample photos on APS-C

The camera used was FujiFilm X-T2 (24.3MP APS-C 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') 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).

My experience

7Artisans AF 27/2.8 – small and nice, but I would still like it to have some special features, like a pancake lens (like Viltrox 28 / 4.5 or Fujinon 27/2.8 XF).

In the end, the 7Artisans AF 27/2.8 is simply a good standard prime with a low focal length (for a prime lens with such a focal length) aperture. Of all the similar inexpensive solutions, I left in my use TTArtisan AF 23/1.8 E/X/Z, which makes me happy almost every day.

Video review

Alternatives

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)

Results

7Artisans AF 27/2.8 is a very affordable standard prime lens. It has many strengths and weaknesses. Overall, it is a good solution. for their money.

main advantages

1. convenient focal length for FujiFilm X cameras with APS-C sensor
2. electronic focus ring
3. Virtual internal focusing, quiet stepping motor focusing, good focusing speed
4. good build quality, metal body, metal bayonet mount, metal focusing ring, metal thread for filters
5. light weight, compact size
6. USB port for firmware upgrade, easy firmware upgrade method, USB TYPE-C cable included
7. very good resolution starting from F/2.8 across the entire frame (even in the far corners) at any focusing distance (at infinity and at MDF)
8. low level of spherical, chromatic aberrations (including fringing)
9. cost about 100 dollars

main disadvantages

1. there is no AF/MF focus mode switch (for example, there is MEIKE 33/1.4 STM)
2. there is no aperture control ring (for example, there is MEIKE 33/1.4 STM)
3. there is no image stabilizer (for example, there is one in Sony E 1.8 / 35 OSS)
4. the lens is poorly protected from environmental influences (for example, MEIKE 33/1.4 STM rubber seal of bayonet)
5. a fairly simple (primitive) optical design
6. only 6 aperture blades (for example, MEIKE 33/1.4 STM there are 9 of them)
7. uncomfortable front protective cover
8. USB port cap is easily lost
9. the sticker with the list of certificates and markings is easy to peel off
10. quite low aperture (for example, you can buy it not much more expensive TTArtisan AF 23/1.8)
11. version 7Artisans AF 27/2.8 for Sony E has a significantly different case design and dimensions (light filter diameter 52 mm)
12. large changes in the viewing angle during focusing (so-called focus breathing)
13. a large amount of glare when working in backlight, as well as the lack of a lens hood in the delivery set
14. strong barrel distortion, strong vignetting at F/2.8

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.