Thanks for the review. I’ve seen some “lens reviewers” videos but you’re the first actual photographer whose review I’ve seen which is what pushed me to try it out. I’ve had it for a few weeks and my 35f2 isn’t getting much use now. This 25 and my 18f2 are a super fun, light combo to carry around everywhere and leave the 1.4s for official business.
I love my XF27/2.8 on my X-E4 bodies, but I do often wish it was f/2, so I picked one of these up SIMPLY because at that price, how can you NOT at least check it out? I've been VERY impressed. I find that if I just leave my focus settings at AF-S (which is what I almost always use with an AF lens) and tap the joystick to 'zoom in' to focus, that this is so clear and sharp that I get very good results even without relying on the MF 'assist' features. It's got a lot of 'fall off' in the corners, but none of it's 'flaws' are anything that I can't easily fix in the RAW files in post anyhow, and I very much like the image characteristics. We are living in a blessed time for affordable gear.
I bought this lens a couple of months ago, as you say for the price (£69 in the UK) there is nothing bad to say about it, it's barely been off my camera since. I bought a really cheap screw on lens hood and pinch cap from Amazon which cuts down the flaring at f2 a bit and gets rid of the awful screw on lens cap.
Yes it has a loss of sharpness, contrast, and has a lot of vignette at f/2.0, but the unique and almost film like aesthetic that it shows is awesome. I feel the vignette really draws the eyes to the soft and dreamy look in the center. Plus, you can just go to f/2.8 or f/4.0 and you get better sharpness, better contrast, and less vignette if you want.
Yes, I enjoyed your review and subscribed. I used to carry a ton of glass for my Fuji XT-30. Downsized to just the XF 18-55 and XF 70-300. Both support what I need in landscape and wildlife photography. But, for street photography, I miss my XF 27 pancake. So, I will try this TT 25mm f2. Keep up the good videos.
Planning to buy XT30. Would you recommend XF 27mm F2.8 for someone who is starting off and unable to decide on a lens. Looking for casual photography and a prime lens
@@rudermanphoto They also seem to be the only ones not abandoning small formfactor. I switched from Canon, then Sony, to Fujifilm due to size, but now all new Fujifilm lenses are bigger than before as well. Im glad we have new options!
Very nice video! My ttartisan 27 f/2.8 was delivered just a few days ago. But I did not have the time to try it out yet. What I actually wanted was the Voigtländer 27 f/2 - what a sexy lens! But I thought I would first try a cheaper alternative to see if I like that focal length. Seems like the 25mm could be an alternative, too. I really like the colors in of your images from 3:13 to 3:20. Did you apply one (or different ones) of your preset pack or was it a Fujifilm recipe?
Thank you! The voigtlander 27 f2 looks awesome, I’d love to try one of the native Fuji voigtlander options given how much I love their M Mount lenses! All the colour photos are edited with the Everyday 400 preset from my preset pack :)
Absolutely! Distance scales are pretty rare in modern lenses, it’s a shame Fuji discontinued adding them into the clutch MF override like in the 16 1.4 WR.
I have the TTArtisan 27 2.8 with AF for $150. I think that's the lens you should have compared it to. Also, the Voigtlander has electronic contacts for EXIF data.
I didn’t have the af version on hand to compare it to, and the voigtlander I have does not have the electronic contacts as it’s an M Mount lens not a native Fuji lens, besides it wasn’t even a proper comparison more so just discussing using manual focusing lenses for Fuji, as I don’t think it’s a really fair comparison to be making given the great cost difference between them.
I just bought this lens for my XT-5 but for some reason I can’t take any photos with it. I press the shutter button and nothing happens. Anyone else have a similar problem with this lens?
I've got a 23/1.4, a 27/1.2, currently debating the 25/2 for reasons of compactness and manual focus. This lens is in my home, but still sealed. I am debating. Did I buy it for GAS? Do you think I should open the package and try it?
It’s so cheap I can’t see why not try it out - it’s a really fun little lens that I like quite a bit more then the 27 2.8 from TTartisan! It’s also so different to the other two lenses you mentioned that it’s worth keeping, although I’d temper your expectations cause if that’s the 27 1.2 Viltrox the difference in image quality between that and this will be pretty staggering hahaha
I think if this lens was autofocus it would not be as cheap as it is, the 27 2.8 exists if you want a small pancake AF lens, I like this being MF, makes it a bit more fun tbh.
@@rudermanphoto No doubts it's great lens as it is! But for what I do I would love to have it auto focusing. Yes it would be little more pricy but if they'd keep it around + - 200$ and same size that would make a lot of ppl want it. Yes 27 does exist but its already closer to nifty fifty 50mm and I 'd prefer to stay in 35-40 mm FL. 23mm f2 autofocus in the size of their 27mm that's what'd be very very needed ))
I’ve had the Viltrox 13 and 56 1.4 in the past, I will at some point get the 13 again and the 56 was great, but I prefer the Fuji 56 1.2, just has a bit more of a special look to it. The 13 is crazy though!
I’m currently testing out TTArtisan’s 27 2.8 which I’d say is a closer comparison to the XF 27mm, it’s a decent lens on first impressions, similar to my limited experience with the XF one.
I don't agree. I wouldn't say it's garbage, but it's really not worth the $80.... Better choose the 7artisan 25mm f1.8 at the same price. You will see the difference!
This lens is less than half the price of the AF 27! I’m sure the AF version is awesome too, but they’ve both got their place, using manual focus lenses on Fuji is genuinely a lot of fun too.
Also, zone focusing.
Stick it on f/8 and just less than 3m and you don't have to bother focusing at all. Great for walking around street photography!
Thanks for the review. I’ve seen some “lens reviewers” videos but you’re the first actual photographer whose review I’ve seen which is what pushed me to try it out. I’ve had it for a few weeks and my 35f2 isn’t getting much use now. This 25 and my 18f2 are a super fun, light combo to carry around everywhere and leave the 1.4s for official business.
Thank you! The 18 f2 is a cracker of a lens too, wish I didn’t sell mine a while back.
I love my XF27/2.8 on my X-E4 bodies, but I do often wish it was f/2, so I picked one of these up SIMPLY because at that price, how can you NOT at least check it out? I've been VERY impressed. I find that if I just leave my focus settings at AF-S (which is what I almost always use with an AF lens) and tap the joystick to 'zoom in' to focus, that this is so clear and sharp that I get very good results even without relying on the MF 'assist' features. It's got a lot of 'fall off' in the corners, but none of it's 'flaws' are anything that I can't easily fix in the RAW files in post anyhow, and I very much like the image characteristics. We are living in a blessed time for affordable gear.
I bought this lens a couple of months ago, as you say for the price (£69 in the UK) there is nothing bad to say about it, it's barely been off my camera since. I bought a really cheap screw on lens hood and pinch cap from Amazon which cuts down the flaring at f2 a bit and gets rid of the awful screw on lens cap.
A cheap replacement pinch cap is definitely the way to go! What camera are you using it on?
Those accessories sound like a good plan for this lens.
Yes it has a loss of sharpness, contrast, and has a lot of vignette at f/2.0, but the unique and almost film like aesthetic that it shows is awesome. I feel the vignette really draws the eyes to the soft and dreamy look in the center. Plus, you can just go to f/2.8 or f/4.0 and you get better sharpness, better contrast, and less vignette if you want.
Im getting one tomorrow for my X-T5!!! Can't wait!!
Yes, I enjoyed your review and subscribed. I used to carry a ton of glass for my Fuji XT-30. Downsized to just the XF 18-55 and XF 70-300. Both support what I need in landscape and wildlife photography. But, for street photography, I miss my XF 27 pancake. So, I will try this TT 25mm f2. Keep up the good videos.
Planning to buy XT30. Would you recommend XF 27mm F2.8 for someone who is starting off and unable to decide on a lens. Looking for casual photography and a prime lens
TTArtisan is awesome, I’ve got their 100mm f2.8 triplet lens that was $250 AUD
We live in a spoiled time for photographers :) Great review!
We really do! Chinese lens manufacturing has just become so damn good lately!
@@rudermanphoto They also seem to be the only ones not abandoning small formfactor. I switched from Canon, then Sony, to Fujifilm due to size, but now all new Fujifilm lenses are bigger than before as well. Im glad we have new options!
Very nice video! My ttartisan 27 f/2.8 was delivered just a few days ago. But I did not have the time to try it out yet.
What I actually wanted was the Voigtländer 27 f/2 - what a sexy lens! But I thought I would first try a cheaper alternative to see if I like that focal length. Seems like the 25mm could be an alternative, too.
I really like the colors in of your images from 3:13 to 3:20. Did you apply one (or different ones) of your preset pack or was it a Fujifilm recipe?
Thank you! The voigtlander 27 f2 looks awesome, I’d love to try one of the native Fuji voigtlander options given how much I love their M Mount lenses!
All the colour photos are edited with the Everyday 400 preset from my preset pack :)
Very Leica like images! Nice review 👏🌟✌️
Thank you!
@@rudermanphoto fyi, I have an immaculate M8 for sale on Marketplace…
Nice review thanks! The images a actually quite filmic
What I'm looking for and missing in a lot of modern fixed focus lenses, is a lens with depth of field scale, so this might be worth a punt?
Absolutely! Distance scales are pretty rare in modern lenses, it’s a shame Fuji discontinued adding them into the clutch MF override like in the 16 1.4 WR.
I have the TTArtisan 27 2.8 with AF for $150. I think that's the lens you should have compared it to. Also, the Voigtlander has electronic contacts for EXIF data.
I didn’t have the af version on hand to compare it to, and the voigtlander I have does not have the electronic contacts as it’s an M Mount lens not a native Fuji lens, besides it wasn’t even a proper comparison more so just discussing using manual focusing lenses for Fuji, as I don’t think it’s a really fair comparison to be making given the great cost difference between them.
I just bought this lens for my XT-5 but for some reason I can’t take any photos with it. I press the shutter button and nothing happens. Anyone else have a similar problem with this lens?
You need to enable shoot without lens in your settings, otherwise all manual lenses won’t work.
This helped a lot! Thank you
I've got a 23/1.4, a 27/1.2, currently debating the 25/2 for reasons of compactness and manual focus. This lens is in my home, but still sealed.
I am debating. Did I buy it for GAS?
Do you think I should open the package and try it?
It’s so cheap I can’t see why not try it out - it’s a really fun little lens that I like quite a bit more then the 27 2.8 from TTartisan!
It’s also so different to the other two lenses you mentioned that it’s worth keeping, although I’d temper your expectations cause if that’s the 27 1.2 Viltrox the difference in image quality between that and this will be pretty staggering hahaha
They should make this lens auto focus as well like they did 27 mm f 2,8 this would be a banger that everybody wants!
I think if this lens was autofocus it would not be as cheap as it is, the 27 2.8 exists if you want a small pancake AF lens, I like this being MF, makes it a bit more fun tbh.
@@rudermanphoto No doubts it's great lens as it is! But for what I do I would love to have it auto focusing. Yes it would be little more pricy but if they'd keep it around + - 200$ and same size that would make a lot of ppl want it. Yes 27 does exist but its already closer to nifty fifty 50mm and I 'd prefer to stay in 35-40 mm FL. 23mm f2 autofocus in the size of their 27mm that's what'd be very very needed ))
Try also some Viltrox, love the 13mm F1.4 and the 23mm F1.4
I’ve had the Viltrox 13 and 56 1.4 in the past, I will at some point get the 13 again and the 56 was great, but I prefer the Fuji 56 1.2, just has a bit more of a special look to it. The 13 is crazy though!
Is it compatible with the light meter?
Yes! The only thing you won’t have is any EXIF data for photos as it has no electrical contacts but yes light meter works just fine.
@@rudermanphotomine just arrived today and was wondering if I'd missed something, but this makes sense.😂
Nobody have a problem with the bayonett ? My lens don’t lock well, make a little movement when I change the aperture or focusign
Mine attaches just fine on my x-t2 and x-e1.
Great lens for the money, the barrel distorsion though.. Because of this its almost useless for anything "straight out of camera" sadly..
I have taken plenty of pictures with that require no additional work at all.
Wish it had Auto focusing.
There is the TTArtisan 27 2.8 that has autofocus and costs twice as much as this one, which still is fairly affordable for what you get!
My xf 27mm suddenly died and I'm sad so I got this lens instead
I’m currently testing out TTArtisan’s 27 2.8 which I’d say is a closer comparison to the XF 27mm, it’s a decent lens on first impressions, similar to my limited experience with the XF one.
Nice G-shock watch
Thanks!
great view
I don't agree. I wouldn't say it's garbage, but it's really not worth the $80.... Better choose the 7artisan 25mm f1.8 at the same price. You will see the difference!
unfortunately, the X-E4 is not available any more - and x-e5 will never come!
Never say never! I won’t be surprised if they announce it with a successor to the X100v too.
It's cheap but the AF 27/2.8 is also cheap and has AF
This lens is less than half the price of the AF 27!
I’m sure the AF version is awesome too, but they’ve both got their place, using manual focus lenses on Fuji is genuinely a lot of fun too.