Ever since I picked up the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 SC, I’ve been hooked on this focal length. It’s such a sweet spot between the classic 35mm and 50mm lenses. So imagine my surprise when I saw that TTArtisan had released their own 40mm lens.
Now, 40mm isn’t exactly the most popular choice. Most photographers gravitate toward 35mm for everyday shooting or 50mm for portraits. A quick look at B&H proves the point: there are 82 full-frame mirrorless 35mm lenses, 92 at 50mm… and just 9 at 40mm.
Among those few, the cheapest is the Viltrox 40mm f/2.5, which shares the same $168 price tag as the TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2. But the TTArtisan packs in more for the money: a brighter f/2 aperture for better low-light performance and the welcome addition of an aperture ring.
Of course, there’s a trade-off. If you’re chasing flawless, razor-sharp image quality, this isn’t your dream lens. But if you don’t mind a touch of vignetting, some corner softness, and a bit of chromatic aberration (all of which are easy to fix in post), then it’s absolutely worth considering. Personally, I’d grab one in a heartbeat if I owned a full-frame Sony or Nikon.
Right now, it’s available in Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, with TTArtisan planning to bring it to the L Mount in the future. If you’d like a closer look before buying, check out Robert May’s video review.
