After some teasers on Chinese social media late last year, TTArtisan has released the AF 56mm f/1.8 prime lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras.
TTArtisan, known for its affordable lenses that deliver strong optical performance and image quality, says its new prime lens is “ideal for a variety of photography subjects,” including portraiture. On an APS-C image sensor, the 56mm focal length works out to just under 85mm — a go-to focal length for portraiture.
The AF 56mm f/1.8 prime is available now for Fujifilm X and Sony E-mount cameras. TTArtisan’s official shop also has a Nikon Z version listed, although it is currently sold out and unavailable to order from authorized retailer Pergear.
Nonetheless, based on TTArtisan’s prior offerings, there will be little to differentiate the different mounts. The lens is quite lightweight, weighing between 233 and 245 grams (8.2 to 8.6 ounces), depending on the selected mount. The 56mm f/1.8 takes 52mm filters and looks to be relatively short — TTArtisan didn’t publish precise physical dimensions on its website.
The lens includes 10 elements arranged across nine groups and a nine-bladed circular aperture diaphragm. One ultra-low dispersion element and two pieces of high-index glass are among the 10 elements. The company promises strong imaging performance, including good control over chromatic aberrations. Based on TTArtisan’s prior lenses, there is good reason to expect solid all-around performance.
The lens’ autofocus is powered by a stepping motor, which can focus as close as 0.5 meters (1.6 feet). When used on cameras with eye-detect and face-detect autofocus, the lens will be fully compatible, per TTArtisan.
Sample Images
TTArtisan has provided quite a few sample images. In addition to the selected ones below, there are even more on the company’s website.
Pricing and Availability
Where TTArtisan’s compact new APS-C prime lens excels most is its price. The lens, despite having autofocus capabilities, is only $158.
Surprisingly, despite this aggressive price that is easy on the wallet, TTArtisan’s new lens is not the cheapest 56mm prime for APS-C mirrorless cameras. That honor goes to Viltrox’s new $139 AF 56mm f/1.7 prime for Fujifilm X and Nikon Z. There are a lot of great options out there for photographers looking to get into portraiture on a tight budget. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear that people must compromise image quality to save money.
Image credits: TTArtisan
