TTArtisan 40mm f/2 Sony FE Review
We're hitting a weird crossover point with third-party lenses. Newer brands like Viltrox, TTArtisan, and 7Artisans used to offer super-budget glass with trade-offs. But now, their build quality, optical quality, and performance are starting to compete with established names like Sigma, Tamron, and even some first-party lenses.
I was recently shooting with the Viltrox 40mm f/2.5, and this TTArtisan 40mm f/2 has genuinely surprised me. It offers a faster aperture in a smaller, lighter design with better build quality. It’s a great contender for both photography and video work—which I’ve been testing here in Tokyo.
Perfect Size, Great Light
Paired with my Sony a7C II, this lens makes for a very small setup. The 40mm focal length and fast f/2 aperture are perfect for shooting in low light, which has been a lifesaver. My only other lens here is a chunky f/4 zoom, so it’s great to have something tiny that complements the a7C II for evening use.
Most f/1.8 lenses are bigger to account for the aperture, so having a full-frame f/2 prime in such a small package is fantastic. Plus, who doesn't love an aperture ring?
The Imperfections
My first thought with a budget prime is always: how much vignetting will I see? For an f/2 lens at this price, there has to be a flaw, right? Otherwise, why pay more for the Sony G lens?
Unsurprisingly, there is some vignetting, but it's not always noticeable, especially when you stop down to f/4 or f/5.6 for daytime shooting. Even when shooting video with a cheap variable ND filter, my images look clean. Our expectation of "cheap optics" is outdated; today, good stuff is getting cheaper, and cheap stuff is getting better. You're paying a premium for only a small percentage improvement in quality with first-party lenses.
The Shady Firmware Update
I've had this lens since August, but I ran into focusing issues with my Sony a7C II. TTArtisan eventually released a firmware update to fix the autofocus problems, but it had to be installed via a Windows PC—Windows 11, specifically.
Since I don't carry a Windows computer, I had to find a Net Cafe or Cyber Cafe in Japan. These places are like manga libraries mixed with budget hotels. I rented a booth with a basic Windows PC for about £1.50 for 30 minutes just to plug in the lens and install the update. I was happy to get in and out quickly—it wasn't the freshest environment!
With the autofocus fixed, the lens transformed. I've been happy with the images, especially of the dogs here in Japan. I'm completely in love with the Japanese dog culture; you see more dogs in strollers than babies!
Everyday Carry Thoughts
I even took this lens out to see the goodest boy of all: Hachi (Hachikō). While his statue was crowded in Shibuya, I visited the museum in Ueno Park to see his taxidermied remains—a little spooky, but a necessary sign of respect!
Any lens that makes you carry your camera more is a good thing. And yes, this TTArtisan lens has made me carry my Sony A7C II more. It's a reliable sidekick for asking people to photograph their dogs or for shooting in low-light evenings.
Because of the A7C II's video credentials and my need to document this trip with both photo and video, this camera and lens combo is a much more compelling carry than my Canon M6, Fuji X-T2, or Olympus Pen F. It's great when you want to be able to shoot a bit of everything!
