TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 MKII Review: First Impressions & Image Quality
The 35mm focal length has always been one of my favourites, especially for street and low-light photography, so when TTArtisan sent over their 35mm f1.8 MKII to try out, I was looking forward to trying it. I mostly used it on a rainy, neon-lit night walk. Here are my first impressions.
I tested the Fujifilm X-mount version on my Fujifilm X-S10.
In full transparency: TTArtisan sent me this lens to test and create content with, but this is not a sponsored review, and they’ve had no input or control over my opinions.
First Impressions & Unboxing
Straight out of the box, the presentation was impressive. The packaging itself felt premium, and the lens was held securely in dense foam, which kept it well protected during shipping.
The first thing that really stood out when I picked the lens up was the all-metal lens body. At this price point, that was a welcome surprise. It felt solid in my hands.
Build Quality
For a lens that costs just £129 (at the time of writing), the build quality is one of its strongest points.
Fully metal lens body
Plastic lens hood, front cap, and rear cap
Solid, weighty feel without being heavy
The lens isn’t weather sealed as far as I’m aware, but I did take it out on a very rainy night alongside a camera body that also isn’t weather sealed, and it handled the conditions without any issues. While I wouldn’t intentionally stress it, it certainly didn’t feel fragile or cheap in use.
Features & Handling
The TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 MKII keeps things simple when it comes to controls. There are no physical dials just a single focus ring but honestly, that suits my shooting style perfectly.
I prefer smaller, more discreet setups, especially for street photography, and this lens fits that approach well.
Focus Ring
The manual focus ring was a joy to use:
Smooth
Well-damped
Reliable and precise
Autofocus Performance
Autofocus performance was another pleasant surprise. Third-party lenses can sometimes be hit or miss in this area, but the autofocus here was solid and dependable, even in low-light and rainy conditions.
I deliberately shot in challenging situations to really make use of that f1.8 aperture night scenes, neon lights, and darker streets and the lens kept up remarkably well.
Image Quality
I wanted to see how the photographs looked in normal use.
I’m not a big fan of pixel-peeping or obsessing over corner sharpness at 1000% zoom. What I care about is whether I like the photographs, and I was happy with these.
I was pleased with the results.
Sharp where it matters
Pleasing contrast
Lovely background separation at f1.8
More than good enough for social media and online use
And I don’t mean “good for £129” I mean genuinely good, full stop.
Price & Value
At the £129 price at the time of writing, the lens offered a useful combination of features.
Metal construction
Autofocus
f1.8 aperture
Compact and lightweight design
Very solid image quality
It’s hard not to be impressed by the value on offer here. If you’re looking to expand your kit without breaking the bank, this lens is a very compelling option.
You can find out more about the lens directly on TTArtisan’s website here: TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 MKII, Official Product Page
Cons
There was really only one downside for me.
The firmware update process is done via the rear lens cap, and TTArtisan recommends using Windows to perform updates. As someone who hasn’t used Windows since around 2007 (which makes me feel very old), this meant calling in a favour.
That said, it’s a minor complaint and when you consider the price, it’s easy to overlook.
Final Thoughts
After spending time with the TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 MKII, I’ve enjoyed shooting with it.
Fast f1.8 aperture makes it ideal for low-light and night photography
Autofocus performance is surprisingly reliable
Compact, discreet design works perfectly for street photography
Metal construction feels far more premium than the price suggests
It may lack physical controls, but for me personally, that’s not a downside at all. In fact, it helps keep the lens small and unobtrusive, one of the main reasons I rarely get stopped while shooting on the street.
Overall, this is an excellent budget-friendly lens and a fantastic option for anyone wanting a capable 35mm prime without spending a fortune.
For another wet-weather photowalk with my Fujifilm setup, read about photographing London at night in the rain.