Fujifilm 27mm vs TTArtisan 27mm
In this blog I will compare the two most popular pancake primes for the Fujifilm system. The Fuji 27mm f2.8 vs the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8. Both of these lenses offer the same thing but in very different packages. For detailed reviews on each lens please see blogs below.
Fuji Pros
Let’s start with the build quality. This lens is all metal with full weather sealing meaning you can use it in almost any conditions. The aperture ring is metal with solid clicks and a locking mechanism too. The focus dial is smooth and the lens feels like a premium product. The size is small and very light which allows you to make some cameras like the XT30 almost pocketable. Moving to the image quality, it’s fantastic at all aperture values. Of course when stopped down to around f5.6 - f8 it cleans up even more. With that said I’ve been mostly shooting it at f2.8 - f4 and I’m very happy with the results. Of course this will never be as sharp as the large f1.4 primes but even on the 40mp sensor, the results are great. Final pro is with this being a native lens, it has the best integration with the camera.
Fuji Cons
The first con is the price. At £400 this is rather expensive however it’s understandable why so given how much is packed into a small package. The second con is the outdated focusing system that is loud and clunky. The focusing system is totally fine for most photography that doesn’t include any tracking or fast movement. For most people this will be fine, however those that wish to use tracking features, it might not be as reliable.
TTArtisan Pros
The biggest pro of the TTArtisan is the price. At around £160 it’s an absolute steal and makes this type of lens affordable to most people. If you’re on a tight budget, this lens is fantastic. The focusing is all internal and is quiet and precise. I wouldn’t use it for sports or wildlife but for pretty much everything else it is great. Image quality is ok after around f5.6.
TTArtisan Cons
Let’s start with build quality and although it has a metal mount, the body itself is plastic. Furthermore there is no weather sealing. Moving on to the dials, the aperture dial can be hard to grip and turn. When it does turn it feels like plastic on plastic rubbing and feels rather cheap. As for ergonomics it is bigger than the Fuji and sticks out more but not by much. The final issue is what caused me to sell it and pay the extra for the Fuji lens. At f2.8 the image quality just falls apart. You get horrible halos, very low contrast and it feels like someone has put a strong mist filter or rubbed some cream over the lens. Once you stop down to around f5.6 the image cleans up and is good. This makes this lens useless at night.
Why Pick Fuji
If you want the smallest package, the best image quality, weather sealing and the best performance wide open, the Fuji is the clear winner.
Why Pick TTArtisan
The only reason you’d pick the TTArtisan is for the cost. Perhaps you want an emergency backup lens or you really are on a shoestring, then this is a good option as long as you don’t plan to shoot at f2.8. If you only shoot during the day and never go below f4, this lens will be good.
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Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be differences due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!