TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Macro 2X Full Frame Camera Lense Compatible Review

The TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Macro offers stunning 2x magnification for the price, but you'll carry every gram of its 1152g weight and compromise on build quality.

Focal Length 100mm
Max Aperture f/2.8
Mount Nikon F
Stabilization Yes
Weather Sealed No
Weight 1152 g
Lens Type Wide-Angle
TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Macro 2X Full Frame Camera Lense Compatible lens
56.1 Overall Score

Overview

The TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Macro is a heavyweight in every sense. At 1152g, it's built like a tank, but that weight comes with a purpose: a 2:1 magnification ratio that puts it in the 78th percentile for macro capability. That means you can get twice as close as a standard 1:1 macro lens. It's designed for full-frame sensors and packs a 14-element optical design that scores in the 85th percentile for sharpness and color. Just know upfront that this is a specialist's tool. Its versatility score sits at a low 39th percentile, so you're not grabbing this for a walk-around lens.

Performance

For macro work, this lens delivers. The 2x magnification is its party trick, letting you fill the frame with subjects most lenses can't touch. The optical performance backs it up, landing in the 85th percentile. You're getting sharp, contrasty images right out of the box. It also has built-in stabilization, which is a nice touch at the 85th percentile. Now, the trade-offs. Autofocus performance is below average at the 45th percentile, so you'll be manual focusing for precise macro shots anyway. And while the f/2.8 aperture is decent, its bokeh quality is middling, scoring only in the 48th percentile. Don't expect buttery-smooth background blur for portraits.

Performance Percentiles

AF 46.4
Bokeh 48.4
Build 3.8
Macro 83.9
Optical 84
Aperture 54.6
Versatility 37.5
Social Proof 52.4
Stabilization 87.8

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 2:1 magnification ratio lands in the 78th percentile for macro, offering incredible close-up detail. 88th
  • Optical sharpness and color are excellent, scoring in the 85th percentile. 84th
  • Built-in image stabilization is a premium feature, also in the 85th percentile. 84th
  • Solid f/2.8 maximum aperture provides good light gathering for a macro lens.
  • 14-element optical design with 6 high-refraction elements ensures high-resolution images.

Cons

  • Build quality is a major weakness, scoring in the dismal 4th percentile. 4th
  • Autofocus performance is below average at the 45th percentile.
  • Extremely heavy at 1152g and not versatile, scoring 39th percentile for travel.
  • Bokeh quality is only average (48th percentile), limiting its appeal for portraits.
  • No weather sealing, which is a concern for outdoor macro photography.

Specifications

Full Specifications

Optics

Type Wide-Angle
Focal Length Min 100
Focal Length Max 100
Elements 14
Groups 10

Aperture

Max Aperture f/2.8

Build

Mount Nikon F
Weight 1.2 kg / 2.5 lbs

AF & Stabilization

Stabilization Yes

Focus

Min Focus Distance 100

Value & Pricing

At $339, the value proposition is straightforward. You're paying for exceptional macro magnification and very good optics. You won't find another new lens with 2:1 capability near this price. The catch is you're sacrificing everything else: build quality, autofocus, portability, and versatility. Compared to a first-party macro lens costing over $1000, this saves you a ton of cash if macro is your sole focus. Just budget for a sturdy tripod to handle the weight.

$339

vs Competition

This lens doesn't really compete with the listed zooms and primes like the Viltrox 35mm or Meike 55mm. Those are general-purpose lenses. The TTArtisan is a niche specialist. A fairer comparison would be against other macro lenses. Here, its 2x magnification is its killer feature. You'd have to step up to much more expensive options, like the Laowa 100mm 2x Macro, to get similar specs. Against a standard 1:1 macro lens, you gain magnification but lose autofocus and any pretense of being a dual-purpose portrait lens. It's a pure tool.

Spec TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Macro 2X Full Frame Camera Lense Compatible Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony Canon RF Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus
Focal Length 100mm 55mm 35mm 17-70mm 24mm -
Max Aperture f/2.8 f/1.4 f/1.7 f/2.8 f/1.8 f/1.4
Mount Nikon F Nikon Z Fujifilm X Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M Canon RF Fujifilm X
Stabilization true true true true true true
Weather Sealed false false false false false true
Weight (g) 1152 281 400 544 272 320
AF Type - STM STM Autofocus Autofocus STM
Lens Type Wide-Angle - - Wide-Angle Zoom Wide-Angle -
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AfBokehBuildMacroOpticalApertureVersatilitySocial ProofStabilization
TTArtisan 100mm F2.8 Macro 2X Full Frame Camera Lense Compatible 46.448.43.883.98454.637.552.487.8
Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM Compare 95.681.881.189.167.588.137.589.987.8
Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Compare 95.673.663.493.27480.537.595.187.8
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare 46.459.264.377.490.854.692.595.187.8
Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Compare 46.481.887.68182.575.837.59899.9
Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus Standard Prime Compare 95.681.888.885.334.688.137.586.787.8

Verdict

If you shoot macro and only macro, this lens is a compelling, data-backed pick. Its 78th percentile macro score and 85th percentile optics deliver where it counts, for a very reasonable price. But the 4th percentile build score is a real red flag, and its sheer weight and lack of versatility mean it'll live on your tripod. For anyone else—portrait shooters, travelers, generalists—look elsewhere. This is a one-trick pony, but for that one trick, it's surprisingly good.