TTArtisan APS-C 27mm F2.8 E 27mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
TTArtisan APS-C 27mm F2.8 E 27mm
The TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its compact size, lightweight build, and good value, making it a popular choice for everyday carry and street photography. However, several users report issues with vignetting, soft edges, and occasional autofocus or exposure inconsistencies, especially in low light. While many find it a solid budget alternative to the Fuji 27mm pancake, some returned it due to the pronounced vignetting or lack of contrast.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good value for the price
- Sharp center image
- Fast and silent autofocus
- Easy-to-use aperture and focus rings
Cons
- Pronounced vignetting
- Soft edges and corners
- Unreliable autofocus in low light
- Inconsistent exposure with aperture changes
- Lack of contrast and saturation
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 APS-C 27mm F2.8 E 27mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | standard | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 27 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 27 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 6 | — |
| Groups | 5 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | — | 2★ |
| Coating | — | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.09 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 39 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 27 mm★ | 380 mm |
Pros & Cons
TTArtisan APS-C 27mm F2.8 E 27mm
- Strong macro (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong build (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong bokeh (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Below average optical (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (11th percentile)11th %ile
- Below average social proof (25th 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 (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
TTArtisan APS-C 27mm F2.8 E 27mm offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.
