If you have read my previous two posts on ASV, you will know that I recently purchased my first non-Fuji lenses for my cameras. The lens was from China and made by TT Artisans. It was the autofocus 27mm F/2.8 and for the price of £159 it has turned out to be a real bargain and is definitely a “keeper”. It is sharp, packs a nice contrast punch and is a very nice pancake size.
So, I went and had a look at what other Fuji-mount lenses they offered. The one that caught my eye was the 40mm f/2.8 macro. I do have the Fuji MCEX-11 macro extension tube, but I have not had a “proper” macro lens since my Nikon days. The TTA lens is not auto-focus, it is fully manual but for £110, and if it is the same quality build as the 27mm pancake, then to me, the purchase was a no-brainer.
As with the previous lens, the macro arrived in a nice padded box and after unpacking I was immediately impressed with the build quality. There is no plastic on this lens. It has a nice weight to it and the focusing barrel was smooth and damped with a 180-degree focus throw. The aperture ring is click-stop and feels tight and precise.
Some reviewers have said they don’t like the look of the lens, but I actually do. It feels solid and the indented barrel grips work well. Focused at infinity the barrel of the lens is at its full retracted position, at full macro, the lens protrudes by about 45mm.
The close focusing distance is 170mm and the lens has a 52mm filter thread, however, the lens is very deeply recessed into the lens barrel so I haven’t felt the need to add a filter just yet. The lens cap is a little strange as it is a flat piece of aluminium which screws into the filter thread on the lens.
As I have said, this is my second TTArtisans lens for Fuji and thus far I am very impressed by both of them for the price point. I will get some images from the 40mm macro posted as soon as I can.
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