The 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 lens may have just saved the Fujifilm system for me when it comes to street photography and everyday shooting.
It’s a fantastic third-party lens, and I want to share my review of this 27mm f/2.8 lens, which provides a 40mm field of view.
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 First Impressions
My expectations were pretty low because this 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 is incredibly cheap—ultra-cheap, in fact.
However, the results I got using it for street photography, daily shooting, and quick snapshots were astonishingly good.
Not just good—remarkable.
From the moment I took my first test shots, I could see the image quality just by looking at the screen.
Even with a small preview, it was obvious: this lens was a winner.
The way the images popped, the resolution, the sharpness, and the colors—it all screamed quality.
Who Is 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 For?
This is a perfect lens for:
- Documentary photography
- Everyday carry
- Street photography
If you appreciate the 40mm field of view, this lens is a great option.
I’ve often been disappointed with Fujifilm’s 40mm equivalent options compared to what’s available on Micro Four Thirds, Sony, or full-frame systems.
Fujifilm’s selection in this focal length has been lacking, and this lens fills that gap beautifully.
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 Build Quality and Ergonomics
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 is very lightweight on my Fujifilm X-T50. While it’s not as light as Fujifilm’s own 27mm f/2.8, considering the price and performance, I don’t see that as a problem.
It’s small, compact—maybe not a pancake lens, but a great balance between size and performance.
The build quality is solid. The lens feels metal, the manual focus ring is smooth and precise, and it even has a USB-C port for firmware updates—an essential feature for third-party lenses.
However, it does not have weather sealing, but given its price and purpose, I don’t see that as a major drawback.
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 Autofocus Performance
Autofocus is one of the most crucial aspects, especially with Fujifilm lenses. Here’s how it performs:
- Fast and snappy in good light
- Accurate and linear focusing
- Performs well in low light but struggles slightly in ultra-low light
- Quieter and smoother than Fujifilm’s 27mm f/2.8
I believe firmware updates could make it even better over time.
The autofocus motors are silent, not hunting or making noise, making it a reliable option.
In very low light, it does slow down, but that’s typical of Fujifilm lenses in general.
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 Image Quality
This is where the 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 truly shines.
Fujifilm’s 27mm lenses have been decent, but they don’t match the resolving power found on other systems. Here’s what makes this lens stand out:
- High resolution: It resolves Fujifilm’s 40MP sensor exceptionally well
- Sharpness: Noticeable across the frame but I would add that from a test short the corners of the Fujifilm 27mm f2.8 at f/5.6 f/8 are better
- 3D Pop: Better subject-background separation compared to Fujifilm’s 27mm
- Smooth bokeh: Not busy or distracting, with a nice transition from foreground to background
- Flare: The flare is very well controlled, mutch better than Fujifilm 27mm f2.8
While it doesn’t reach the level of higher-end artisan lenses, it avoids harsh vignetting and delivers a pleasing, natural look.
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 Alternative Lenses
How does the 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 compare to its competitors?
- TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 – Similar budget-friendly option with decent sharpness, but the 7Artisans offers better contrast and a more refined rendering.
- Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 – Smaller and lighter with official Fujifilm support, but the autofocus is noisier, and image quality is comparable, making the 7Artisans a strong alternative.
- Voigtländer 27mm f/2 – Superior optics and build quality, with a brighter aperture for better low-light performance. However, it is significantly more expensive.
- Fujifilm 30mm f/2.8 Macro – A different category altogether, offering macro capabilities but lacking the compactness and street-friendly nature of the 7Artisans 27mm.
- Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 – This is a ultra small, ultra thin pancake lens with a fixed aperture. It’s main purpose is to have a very compact and portable camera that you can carry with you.
- Pergear 25mm f1.7 – A manual focus lens, with it quirks but very capable, fun to shoot and ultra cheap.
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 Compatible Cameras
At the moment of writing this review (March 2025) I have the information that the X-T4 and X-S10 are not compatible. I also discovered that the lens works fine with Fujifilm X-PRO3 but you don’t have the optical frame lens corrected. On Fujifilm X-T50 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 worked great.
7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 Conclusion
If you love the 40mm field of view and are on the Fujifilm system, this lens is a no-brainer—with one condition. The performance and image quality make it an incredible value for the price.
Stay tuned for my comparison with the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 and the Voigtländer 27mm f/2 to see how it stacks up.