TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 40mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 40mm
The TTArtisan 40mm f/2 lens is widely praised for its compact size, solid build, and excellent value for money. Many users love the manual aperture ring and the USB-C port in the lens cap for firmware updates. However, autofocus performance is a major point of contention: while some find it fast and reliable, others report persistent hunting and failure to lock focus, especially on certain camera bodies. A few users also note chromatic aberration and flare, but overall image quality is considered sharp and impressive for the price.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality
- Manual aperture ring with clicks
- USB-C port in lens cap for firmware updates
Cons
- Inconsistent autofocus performance
- Autofocus hunting on some cameras
- Chromatic aberration
- Flare when pointed at the sun
- Minimum focus distance could be shorter
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 40mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 40 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 40 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 9 | — |
| Groups | 6 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | — | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | L-Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.18 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 400 mm | 380 mm★ |
Pros & Cons
TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 40mm
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (66th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (30th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 20 specs.
