7artisans is developing something of a reputation for making extremely fast manual focus lenses for refreshingly low prices. How does this 35mm f/0.95 lens perform given that it costs less than $250?
This falls into what I would call faux-vintage: a lens full of idiosyncrasies that some would call flaws and others would call character. Earlier this year, I reviewed a similar lens from 7artisans for Sony full frame cameras, and while it certainly has its limitations, it proved to be a lot of fun for a relatively small amount of money. It certainly brought some much-needed soul to an otherwise dry and functional camera system.
If you fancy foregoing a little bit of speed (and character) for some autofocus and a more plasticky build, keep in mind that Sigma makes a highly regarded 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Sony crop sensor cameras, currently costing a mere $289 — down $50 on its regular price.
The recently released 7artisans lens is also available for Canon EOS M, Fujifilm, and Nikon Z APS-C cameras (as well as Micro Four Thirds) and is expected to start shipping as of December 9.
Will you be ordering? Let us know in the comments below.
I ordered one in MFT mount, looks promising.
So it'll be like an f1.4?😂
This lens is made for mirrorless. I'm not positive, but don't think there would be enough room for a speedbooster. They generally sit in the empty space that the mirror box would have taken. It may be possible but I would assume it would be fairly large, clunky, and expensive Buying native makes much more sense to me.
Please let me know what you think of it.
Not impressed by this lens. Having to stop it down to get rid of nasty aberrations makes it useless to me. Despite the interesting price tag i find my viltrox 1.4 has a lot more value, considering it's not as bad optically, wide open. Is can use it constantly at f/1.4. it also features a blazing fast and silent autofocus that's very likeable.
I can buy Canon 58mm f1.2 in near mint condition for about $150.
Yes, manual focus but OEM, extremely well built and better IQ for my R camera.
Genius. 35mm vs 58mm. LOL
He did say it would go on a Canon R, so the 58 would be 58. If you put this lens on a M it would be 56 equivalent or 52 on a Sony, Nikon, or Fuji. So not that much different. I don't think this lens would work on the R though, so we may still be talking apples to Oranges though.
Plot twist. This 35mm 0.95 nearly covers full frame. So you have basically a 40mm 0.95 for full frame, if you don't mind some vignetting.
https://i0.wp.com/sonyalpha.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/7-Artisans-3...
And then mount that on a small-sensor mirrorless with a speedbooster and you get a similar f0.95 aperture probably :D
(If you already have the speedbooster, otherwise you'll end up paying a lot more of course for adding that speedbooster).
Have lens manufacturers abandoned the SLR? Would love to try out something like this lens but feel left out.
The short answer is yes. It's also very difficult to make a lens like this for a camera with a mirror box. However you can always buy a used mirrorless for a decent price, either APS-C or MFT, and explore and expand your photo/optical horizons. :-)
Looks interesting, but a bit to tight for my needs on my M43 sensor. If it were standard to slightly wide I would be much more temped.
Don't Voigtlander have some really fast primes for M43? In different focal lengths?
Perhaps costs a bit more but I expect better optical quality and they may have something wide enough for you; not sure what their full range of lenses is now with f < 1.0.
There stuff seems a bit out of my price range, but maybe I should keep an eye out for a deal on a used one.