A few days ago 7Artisans teased a new ultra-wide angle lens which will be positioned as the second entry in the company's Max line-up. Aside from a silhouette of the lens itself, we also had a brief caption in Chinese text, which roughly translated to "Automatic ultra wide-angle. A new starting point." Judging by the visible outline of a petal-shaped lens hood, it wasn't too big a stretch to speculate that this could be a fisheye lens.

Well, more details have now emerged, and we can confirm that the lens is indeed a fisheye, with full-frame coverage, called the AF 10mm f/2.5 Max. The official announcement from 7Artisans is expected to take place on July 28th, so we don't have long to wait for full details. Until then, PhotoRumors.com has reported that the lens will have a 185-degree field of view and will sport a metal lens barrel, contributing to the lens’s 504g weight.

The lens will be available in Sony E, Nikon Z and L-mount options. Pricing has yet to be disclosed, but it'll almost certainly be compelling. The first 7Artisan's Max lens - the AF 135mm f/1.8 Max - costs $689/£615, significantly undercutting rival lenses from Sony, Nikon and Sigma. Could this turn out to be one of the best lenses for astrophotography? Hopefully we'll get our hands on one for a full review soon.

7artisans has been teasing the launch of a new lens – and I have been trying to work out what it is from the limited information provided by the silhouetted image and the Chinese writing.

The first thing that's clear is that this will be second lens in 7artisan's MAX range. The first was the AF 135mm f/1.8 Max – a fast, metal-bodied autofocus prime for Sony, Nikon, and L-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It is safe to assume that the newest addition will also be a fast prime and available in these three mounts.

If you use Google to decipher the characters, you then get this rough translation "Automatic ultra wide-angle. A new starting point." The petal-shaped lens hood in the image also reaffirms this is a super-side lens – as is the suggestion that it would be a good lens for astrophotography.

Reading on, the teaser says "The secret will be revealed soon", and then adds the enigmatic last line, "In its eyes, there are no right angles."

I might be reading too much into this, but to me this strongly suggests this is a fisheye lens - ie non-rectilinear prime that purposely doesn't correct for distorted lines in order to fit more into the frame.

Rumor site Asobinet.com additionally tells us that the model number for this new lens 012456 - and that these six digits will contain both the focal length of the lens, and its maximum aperture. It offers 10mm f/4, 12mm f/4 or 14mm f/2 as possibilities – all of which could easily be diagonal (non-circular) fisheye lenses of the type I am imagining.

What we also know is that the first Max lens was competitively priced… The 7artisans AF 135mm f/1.8 Max is now on sale for $689/£615 in Sony FE, Nikon Z, or L-mount fittings.

Hopefully we really will get full details soon…

Chinese lens manufacturer has just posted that it is launching three autofocus lenses for Nikon APS-C mirrorless cameras tomorrow, June 16.

The 7artisans 25mm f/1.8, 35mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.8 are already available for Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts - but now will go on sale for use on models such as the Nikon Z50 II and the Z fc.

The trio of lenses is designed to be ultra-lightweight - hitting the scales at around 180g (6.35 ounces) each. When the crop factor is taken into account, the lenses with provide equivalent focal lengths of 37.5mm, 52.5mm and 75mm.

The prices of the new Nikon AF versions will cost the same as for existing mounts, with the individual lenses costing $125 a piece - or you can buy all three in a set for $359.

7Artisans has teamed up with historic Chinese camera brand Seagull to launch a new limited-edition 35mm rangefinder lens for Leica M-mount cameras, and it might just be one of the most interesting affordable M-mount lenses we have seen this year. The new Seagull x 7Artisans M 35mm f/1.7 is a full-frame manual-focus prime designed for Leica M cameras, combining a classic 35mm focal length with a fast f/1.7 maximum aperture.

Priced at $369, this is a much more affordable route into Leica M-mount shooting than many rangefinder photographers will be used to. But what makes this lens more interesting is the story behind it. Seagull is one of China’s most historic camera brands, originally launched under the Shanghai name before adopting the Seagull identity in 1968 as its cameras reached international export markets.

Over the years, Seagull produced several notable cameras, including the Seagull 4 twin-lens reflex series, Dongfeng and Hongqi cameras, and the popular Seagull DF SLR range. Now, with this new collaboration, Seagull returns with what is described as its first large-aperture manual-focus lens since the brand’s revival, bringing together its camera heritage with 7Artisans’ modern lens-making approach.

The Seagull x 7Artisans M 35mm f/1.7 features an 8-element, 6-group optical design, with a 10-blade diaphragm to help produce smooth bokeh when shooting wide open. The f/1.7 aperture should make it well-suited to street photography, travel, documentary work, environmental portraits, and low-light shooting, while the 35mm focal length remains one of the most versatile choices for Leica M photographers.

The lens supports rangefinder-coupled focusing, with a focus range from 0.7m to infinity, keeping it in line with the classic Leica M shooting experience. It also features a crescent-shaped focusing tab for single-finger control, an all-metal build, an anodized surface for durability, a dedicated round lens hood, 40.5mm filter thread, clicked aperture ring from f/1.7 to f/16, and weighs just 145g.

Only 500 pieces are being made worldwide, with each lens supplied with an exclusive badge and unique serial number. That combination of affordability, limited-edition collectability, and genuine camera heritage makes this one of the more charming M-mount releases of the year, especially for Leica shooters looking for a compact 35mm lens with a little vintage soul.

7Artisan’s Lite series aims to make mirrorless more compact – and the brand’s newest 40mm tips the scale at just 3.2 oz / 90g. The 7Artisan AF 40mm f/2.5 FE is a new budget pancake for full-frame Sony E-Mount and, despite the price, the compact prime still offers autofocus.

Introduced at CP+, the 7Artisans AF 40mm f/2.5 is a budget prime lens that’s focused on a retro but lightweight design. At 1.6 inches / 40mm tall, the lens is a bit larger than some of the brand’s tiniest pancakes, but crams autofocus and an f/2.5 aperture into a lightweight travel lens.

Interestingly, the lens is designed for full-frame, but the three previously announced Lite series lenses were made for APS-C.

The lens sits between the 35mm and 50mm members of the brand’s Lite series, but narrows the aperture a bit from f/1.8 to an f/2.5. That narrower aperture is likely a tradeoff for the smaller size, as the 40mm is significantly lighter than the 50mm from the same series, which weighs 6.3 oz / 178g.

The company says that the lens “fits in your hand, disappears on your camera,” so it sounds like the size was definitely a focus for the design. 7Artisan also says that design favors retro lines. Control-wise, there’s an aperture ring, a focus ring, a function button, and an auto-to-manual focus switch.

The 40mm is designed for more everyday storytelling, the brand says – and 7Artisans is even advertising less-than-perfect bokeh, saying that the lens has a subtle bubble bokeh effect, which some balk at, and others may find creative.

The lens uses an STM motor for autofocus, which is good as close as 0.4m from the front of the lens.

The Sony E-Mount already has lots of 40mm prime options to choose from, which is why, outside of the small size, the lens’ price is arguably one of its biggest features. The 7Artisans AF 40mm F/2.5 Lite retails for $159. International pricing has not yet been announced, but that converts to roughly £118 / AU$225 / CA$218.

The lens is already available for shipping from 7Artisans, but has already begun popping up at retailers, including Amazon and B&H in the US.

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Third-party budget lens maker 7Artisans is preparing to launch a trio of tiny lenses, according to a social media teaser.

The China-based lens brand posted a teaser on Weibo, a social media platform popular in China, that hints three new autofocus lenses are coming soon as part of a new “Lite” series. The lenses will come in three different focal lengths. But, 7Artisans looks to be capitalizing on the trend for more compact camera systems, as all three new lenses weigh around 180g (about 6.35 ounces).

The teaser lenses are for APS-C cameras “compatible with mainstream mirrorless cameras.” Autofocus is also listed among the new series' features. The brand notes the three different focal lengths will cover street photography, travel, and everyday recording.

With just a few clues to go on – and those all translated from Chinese by Google translate – the teaser leaves much to the imagination. The teaser also hasn’t yet popped up on the brand’s Instagram or Facebook accounts yet, and it's possible that the launches are either exclusive to China or arriving there first.

While a number of questions remain surrounding the mysterious teaser, smaller lightweight lenses seem to be increasing in popularity. A 180g lens is fairly lightweight – about 6.35 ounces – weighing less than some smartphones. The iPhone 17 Pro, for example, is 206g.

The lenses, for now, are just a teaser – and just on Weibo at that – but could be a launch to watch.

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7Artisans has launched a new diagonal fisheye lens for APS-C cameras. The MF 6mm F2 is, as its name suggests, a manual focus lens, but with the generous depth of field available at such a short focal length, manual focussing needn't be difficult. Various mount options are available, including Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon R and Micro Four Thirds.

7 Artisans says this is its widest-ever lens. Once launched it'll also be one of the widest lenses you can buy for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Laowa produces a 4mm f/2.8, but that's a circular fisheye design, where the new 7Artisans optic is a diagonal fisheye. Consequently, though the Laowa has a shorter focal length, its angle of view is 210 degrees, whereas the 6mm 7Artisans lens has a claimed 220-degree field of view.

With the ability to 'see' behind itself, such a lens opens up new creative possibilities, helped by the extremely short 3.9" / 0.1m minimum focus distance. Such a lens is especially useful in tight interiors, but the fairly fast f/2 maximum aperture also makes the MF 6mm F2 a viable choice for astrophotography.

The lens comprises 10 elements in 8 groups, including two extra-low dispersion elements and two high-refractive elements, which should help minimize chromatic aberration and improve overall sharpness. A 9-blade diaphragm is said to contribute to smooth, rounded bokeh.

The 7Artisans 6mm f/2 fisheye lens is available to buy now from B&H, priced at $179.

The nifty fifty is a beloved prime favorited for its portrait-friendly focal length and portability – and APS-C and Micro Four Thirds shooters have a new third-party budget option. The 7Artisans MF 50mm f/1.2 is a budget lens that sacrifices autofocus for a bright aperture, metal build, and affordable price point.

Crafted by the China-based third-party brand 7Artisans, the new 50mm lens is designed as a budget option for crop-sensor shooters. The lens is available for APS-C cameras in the Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Nikon Z mounts, as well as a Micro Four Thirds variant.

Primes with an f/1.2 aperture are often fairly pricey, but the 7Artisans MF 50mm f/1.2 retails for $99 in the US. International pricing is not yet available, but that converts to about £74 / AU$149 / CA$136.

There are a few cuts to get that lens to that price – starting with the autofocus. The lens is manual focus only, as the MF in the name indicates. Photographers do, however, have access to a focal distance scale that glows in the dark to better see the adjustments in dim scenes.

The lack of autofocus doesn’t just bring down the price – it also aids in creating a lens that’s just 68mm (2.6 inches) long and weighs about 410g (14.5 ounces). (Those measurements are based on the E-Mount version, and there’s a slight variation for the different mount options.)

7Artisans says that the lens uses a full metal body for added durability. That design includes a built-in lens hood, as well as a clicked aperture ring.

On the interior, that metal housing is hiding seven optical elements in five groups. The lens uses an 11-blade aperture. The company says the lens is designed for sharp subjects, while the f/1.2 aperture creates smooth backgrounds.

The lens is rolling out to retailers, including the 7Artisans online store. The lens is also listed for pre-order at B&H in the US.

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7Artisans has released a teaser image for an upcoming fast prime lens, and has also given three clues as to what it may be:

💡 Clue 1: Large aperture for stunning bokeh

💡 Clue 2: Portrait focal length for beautiful detail

💡 Clue 3: Precision focus, total creative control

If we assume the lens is for full-frame cameras, then a "portrait focal length" could translate to 85mm, while a "large aperture for stunning bokeh" suggests f/1.4 or larger. If 7Artisans produces the lens in multiple mount options, that makes it more likely it'll be manual focus only, hence necessitating "precision focus, [for] total creative control".

That said, 7Artisans does already produce an 85mm autofocus lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras: the AF 85mm F1.8. We've reviewed that lens and found it to offer a lot for its low price tag. However, while f/1.8 is fast enough for most scenarios, it leaves room in 7Artisans' lens range for a faster 85mm offering.

We don't yet have details of a full launch date for this mystery lens, but we'll be sure to update you when we know more.

The folks at 7Artisans have officially released the AF 35mm f/1.8. News broke regarding this tantalizing cut-price prime via Photo Rumors, with the lens appearing on the 7Artisans’ website for order in Sony E, Nikon Z, and Leica L mounts. A 35mm lens is an absolute staple and can be used for street photography, portrait photography, and everything in between.

7Artisans is offering a full-frame, autofocus-capable optic that’s driven by an STM motor, which is compatible with eye AF. It’s said to boast “video optimization”, thanks to a stepless, silent aperture control ring, and features “Enhanced focus breathing suppression”. The lens itself is constructed from 11 elements in eight groups, with two aspherical and two high-refractive elements, as well as one ED element. The minimum focus distance is 0.4m and the aperture range is f/1.8 to f/16.

As is becoming increasingly the norm for Shenzhen-based lens manufacturers, 7Artisans has included premium features such as a metal construction and customizable FN button. The AF 35mm f/1.8 comes with a petal-shaped lens hood, a filter thread size of 62mm, and sports a USB-C port on the inside lip of the rear mounting surface for firmware upgrades (a USB-C cable is included in the box).

At 72 by 94mm and weighing around 426g, it’s not the smallest and lightest prime in the world, but if it lives up to its premium features, that’s a small price to pay – literally!

The 7Artisans AF 35mm f/1.8 is priced at just $299 / £272 / AU$529.

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7Artisans has announced a new ultra-wide-angle lens for APS-C Fujifilm X, Sony E and Nikon Z cameras. The 7Aritsans AF 10mm f/2.8 features an 11-element optical stack arranged in 10 groups and incorporates two aspherical elements, 3 ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses, and two high refractive index elements. The combination of a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture and wide, rectilinear field of view should make the lens ideal for applications like astrophotography.

The lens is 72mm long, and 69mm in diameter, with the E-mount variant weighing in at 232g, despite an all-metal barrel construction. The bayonet mount is also metal and includes a rubber gasket, making the mount dust and splashproof. The 10mm APS-C focal length equates to 15mm in full frame terms, enabling a huge 105.3-degree field of view. Minimum object distance is 0.3m, and the lens is compatible with 62mm filters.

Unusually for a 7Artisans lens available in multiple mount options, the AF 10mm f/2.8 features autofocussing and a full set of lens-body electronic contacts, plus a USB-C port for applying firmware updates.

The official 7Aritsans Weibo announcement lists the AF 10mm f/2.8 at ¥999 Chinese RMB, which converts directly to around $140 USD. The lens should soon be available at Amazon US and B&H, so we'll see how high that price goes after tariffs are applied.

A wide, fast, autofocus lens designed for full-frame cameras, available for just $329? That's what the newly released 7Artisans AF 24mm f/1.8 lens brings to the table, which is now officially available for Nikon Z and L-mount systems.

This lens already exists for Sony E-mount, but this expansion marks something bigger: an affordable prime wide-angle lens that finally opens up options for shooters outside of Sony's ecosystem.

And it's not just the price that makes this one exciting – it's what you're getting at that price. A 24mm has always been a go-to lens for landscape, city and astrophotography. It's wide enough to tell a story without falling into the distortion trap of ultra-wide.

What makes this release special is that there really isn't anything quite like the 7Artisan 24mm f/1.8 in this segment.

What else is on the market?

Sure we have the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S, but that comes in around $950. Sigma's 24mm f/2 DG DN is around $550 and even third-party options like the Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 tend to float above the $350 mark. The 7Artisans lands at $329, and that includes AF (autofocus) – something that many low-cost primes skip entirely.

And for shooters shooters that love wide-angle to include some environmental context, like in travel, street, astro, landscape or cityscape photography, it's exactly what's been missing: a fast but affordable wide prime.

Especially for Nikon Z and L-Mount users, who often face a more limited selection of low-cost lenses, this is a real win.

7Artisans AF 24mm f/1.8 specifications

Focal length: 24mm
Aperture: f/1.8~f/16
Frame: Full-frame
Supported mounts: E/ Z/ L
Focal range: 0.32M-∞
Aperture ring: Automatic/ Manual
Field of view: 83°
Optical structure: 11 groups and 14 elements
Aperture blades: 11 pieces
Filter size: ⌀62mm
Lens size: 72mm x 92mm
Lens material: Metal
Weight: about 424g (E-mount, including front and rear covers)

If there's any downside it's that, at this price point, expectations need to be tempered. For this price, you might not get everything you would from a flagship lens – so there might be compromises.

You probably won't get edge-to-edge perfection wide open. AF may not keep up with blazing mirrorless speeds. But it looks like it delivers where it counts – solid center sharpness, pleasing rendering and enough speed to handle everyday use.

The 24mm focal length is also very versatile, being interesting for video shooters working with gimbals, vloggers needing a wide-talking-head look, or street photographers wanting something compact and discreet. This could become a real go-to.

We don't often get to say this about new lenses lately, especially in the full-frame world – but this is a release that feels genuinely accessible. No gimmicks, no over-promises. Just a fast, wide-angle prime that brings full-frame photography a little closer to more people.

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If you shoot portraits, street photography or travel content, chances are a 35mm prime lens is already on your radar – or in your camera bag. This focal length strikes the perfect balance in versatility and storytelling, making it a favorite for both beginners and professionals alike.

Now, 7Artisans and Brightin Star are launching budget-friendly 35mm f/1.8 AF lenses for full-frame mirrorless systems – available for around $249 (approximately £190 / AU$385). In this category, these lenses are some of the most affordable primes on the market right now.

Both companies have announced a 35mm f/1.8 AF lens for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras, with Brightin Star also introducing one for Nikon Z-mount.

While third-party lenses are not celebrated by every photographer, these brands have been well-received for their sharpness and solid build.

Yes, most native lenses are excellent, but they come at a premium. Let's put things into perspective: the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8, for example, is priced at around $799 / £549 / AU$899. The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S typically retails for $899 / £899 / AU$1,499.

Well-established third-party brands like Sigma also offer excellent alternatives, but can they match the price of 7Artisans and Brightin Star's new optics? Again for context, the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is priced at $639 / £569 / AU$1,100.

So, the new 35mm f/1.8 AF primes from 7Artisans and Brightin Star are bringing fresh competition to the full-frame mirrorless lens market. With a low launch price these optics are especially appealing to budget-conscious photographers, beginners and anyone looking for an affordable way to expand their kit.

But of course, it's not all about the price. Optical performance, build quality and real-world usability matter. Below, you'll find technical specs and features based on the information that is currently available.

7Artisans AF 35mm f/1.8

Lens mount: E
Compatible sensors: full-frame
Focal length: 35mm
Lens construction: 11 elements in 8 groups, 2 aspherical lenses, 2 high-refractive-index lenses, 1 ED lens
Aperture: f/1.8 - f/16
Aperture blades: 11 sheets
Minimum focusing distance: 0.4m
Filter diameter: 62mm
Size: φ72x92mm, Weight: 426g
Controls: Fn button, AF/MF switch

Brightin Star AF 35mm f/1.8

Lens mount: E, Z
Compatible sensors: full-frame
Focal length: 35mm
Aperture: min. f/1.8
Size and weight E-mount: φ75x88mm, 420g
Size and weight Z-mount: φ75x90mm, 430g
Additional information: Optical performance that makes the most of 62 megapixel resolution, two high-precision aspherical lenses, two Hoya high refractive index lenses, 1 low dispersion glass, Optorun coating

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Purveyor of low-cost lenses 7Artisans has released an ultra-wide prime for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras at the unbelievably low price of just US$99 (converted to your local currency), with free shipping worldwide.

Unsurprisingly at this price, it's a fully manual lens, with a manual focus ring that focuses between 0.2m and infinity, and a clicked aperture ring to select the aperture range between f/3.5 and f/22. The lens is equipped with five aperture blades, which render strong light sources as attractive 10-pointed star beams when shooting at a narrow aperture.

The 10mm focal length can capture a 108° field of view. Its non-fisheye structure corrects for barrel distortion through its optical design, so that edges are straight with lines of walls, doors, and windows remaining horizontal and vertical, thus avoiding loss of image quality when correcting in post-production.

It is ideal for capturing dynamic shots of close-up subjects within expansive scenes, with closer objects appearing significantly larger than their surroundings, offering an exaggerated perspective compared to the angle of view offered by a standard focal length. Using a low-angle and shooting upwards exaggerates the perspective distortion of street scenes, while the lens can also be used to give interior spaces a sense of depth. Closing down the aperture to f/8 or above improves image quality and reduces vignetting.

With an attractive retro design, the lens has a durable aluminum alloy housing, while the optical structure consists of 9 elements in 7 groups. The compact and lightweight lens measures 59 x 34mm and weighs around 125.5g (depending on the lens mount), with a slender 37mm filter thread.

The 7Artisans 10mm f/3.5 is available in Nikon Z, Sony E, and Fujifilm X mounts, with an effective focal length of 15mm due to the 1.5x focal length multiplier. The Panasonic/Olympus M43 mount version is a little less wide-angle, with a 20mm effective focal length.

7Artisans officially announced its 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Shift lens – a specialist optic costing under $250, compatible with mirrorless APS-C cameras including Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds systems from Panasonic and Olympus.

Tilt-shift photography is a visually captivating style that makes full-size scenery look like miniature worlds. It's a genre that is dominated by expensive pro gear.

Now the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Shift lens makes this photographic genre availible on a budget. The lens is available for preorder and currently on sale for $208 / £180 / AU$318 (regular price $243 / £210 / AU$372).

It can also be used as a normal 50mm f/1.4 optic with beautiful bokeh possibilities when not using its tilt-shift mechanism.

If you're not familiar with tilt-shift lens, think of it as a lens-based illusion created through a play of sharpness and blur. By controlling the focus plane and depth of field, you can turn reality scenes into miniature models, but this is not achievable with a standard lens (!)

Tilt-shift lenses are typically expensive. This genre is seen as a niche, with manufacturers like Canon and Nikon focusing on optics for full-frame DSLRs. These can be attached to a mirrorless APS-C camera via an adapter – but this adds the cost and the bulk of the set up.

7Artisans' budget-friendly 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Shift lens costs a fraction of the price of other tilt-shift optics featuring similar focal length and aperture ranges. Compare it to some options like the medium format Fujifilm Fujinon GF 30mm F5.6 T/S, priced around $3,999 / £3,899 / $8,100, or the full-frame Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II costing around $1,899 / £1,999 / AU$4,155.

The tilt-shift effect is only possible when a lens allows you to control the plane of focus and shift the image circle. With an adjustable aperture range of f/1.4 to f/16, this lens lets you control a shallow depth of field for miniature-style frames.

One of the most important aspects of tilt-shift photography is manual precision. The 7Artisans lens doesn't feature autofocus or electronic communication with your camera – it's manual focus only. But that's good when creating this effect, as tilt-shift imagery benefits from a slower shooting process. This helps you refine composition and focal plane with accuracy, both critical for achieving the visual impact that tilt-shift photography is popular for.

The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.4 optic's shift range is limited to +3mm, which is enough for basic perspective corrections, but won't fully replace high-end lenses. However, for a budget-friendly tilt-shift lens, it offers great control features.

It includes a 360° rotating tilt-shift mechanism, allowing you to shift the axis and change the angle of focus creatively. This opens up a range of effects – from miniature illusions to ramatic plane-of-focus shifts – giving you the tools to experiment.

7Artisans 50mm f/1.4 specifications

Lens mount: Sony E/Fujifilm GF/MFT
Compatible sensors: APS-C
Focal length: 50mm
Aperture: f/1.4 - f/16
Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
Aperture blades: 12 sheets
Min. focus distance: 0.5m
Filter diameter: 46mm
Size and weight: 75×73mm, 364g
Autofocus: No
Image stabilization: No
Controls: Tilt +15°, shift +3mm, revolving 360°

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Chinese budget lens manufacturer 7artisans has just released a new version of its 50mm f/1.8 prime lens for full-frame L-mount mirrorless cameras.

We tested the Sony mount version of the 7artisans AF 50mm F1.8 when it was released last year and were impressed of this nifty fifty - which was the company's first-ever autofocus lens. In our full test our reviewer concluded that "Overall performance and image quality are very good, as is the build quality."

The lens is now available in three different mounts - Sony FE, Nikon Z, and L-mount.
The L-mount is used on Panasonic, Leica, Sigma, DJI and Blackmagic full-frame mirrorless cameras.

This metal-barrelled lens uses 11 elements in nine groups - including two two aspherical, two high refraction, and one low dispersion elements – and uses an 11-blade aperture.

Measuring 72x104mm, it weighs 431g, and offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.5m. It offers a stepless manual aperture ring designed for videomaking, and has a built-in USB-C socket for updating the firmware.

The lens is already available for sale at Amazon for $228 in the US, or £218.39 in the UK, complete with petal-shaped lens hood.

Third-party optics brand 7Artisans has unveiled its newest optic compatible with the Fujifilm X-Mount: the 7Artisans AF 35mm f/1.4. Announced on April 2, the lens is a compact autofocus lens that weighs just 6.5 oz / 184g and retails for $169.

7Artisans says the new AF 35mm f/1.4 uses an STM autofocus motor for performance that is both quick and quiet. The autofocus system can lock in on a subject as close as .35m / 13.8 inches from the front of the lens.

The 35mm focal length on the X-Mount’s crop sensor translates to roughly a 52.5mm equivalent view on a full-frame camera. The lens is built with eight elements in five groups, with a 7-blade aperture design on that bright f/1.4.

The 35mm lens doesn’t quite fit the pancake lens category, but measures under two inches / 50mm long. The lens design is kept simple, with just a single focus ring, but a USB-C port at the mount allows for firmware updates. Despite being geared more toward budget-friendly optics, 7Artisans says the lens barrel is made with metal.

The lens retails for $169, which is approximately £130 / AU$268. The at price point could entice budget shoppers, as the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R lens retails for $599 / £549 / AU$949. Looking at the specifications of the two lenses, however, Fujifilm’s lens incorporates an aperture ring and focuses closer at 11 in. / 28 cm. Fujifilm’s 35mm f/1.4 comes in at a similar weight at 6.6 oz. / 187g.

The 7Artisans is available for order directly from the manufacturer, with the lens listed as coming soon to retailers like B&H.

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One for both cinematographers and photographers – 7Artisans has just announced the 120mm T2.9 Macro 2X lens for full-frame cameras, available in Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Leica L mounts.

At just $549, this lens looks set to be one of the most affordable and powerful tools for bringing even the most intricate detail to full scale with its 2x magnification. While we have seen plenty of 2x magnification lenses before for photography, this lens adds to the increasing number of macro options for filmmakers with its geared focus design. Although, I think photographers who need an affordable 2x macro lens with a long focal length should still take note.

The headline feature is of course that 1:2 reproduction, which trumps a lot of 1:1 macro lenses on the market with an even greater magnification. A 2x enlargement can capture detail that is nearly invisible to the naked eye from the veins of a leaf to the intricate patterns on an insect’s wing.

At 120mm this is also one of the longest focal length 2x macro lenses out there, allowing you to get in even closer to your subject from further away, perfect for capturing fine detail on insects and other critters that might be easily spooked.

As a cine lens – this is a manual focus-only lens, but it has a 270° focus rotation, which should provide smooth and precise manual focusing. Starting from a relatively wide T2.9 and a 13-blade aperture, 7Artisans has also incorporated a step-less aperture design, ensuring that transitions between apertures aren't noticeable in footage.

Despite the affordable price tag, the 120mm T2.9 Macro 2X has a full metal construction, crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, while also offering sealing for resistance to dust and splashes. The lens includes an 82mm front filter thread, allowing various industry-standard-sized filters or matte boxes to be attached.

The 120mm T2.9 Macro 2X lens will cost $549 / £529 and is available to order right now.

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For more check out our guide to the best macro lenses.

No sooner did 7Artisans launch a 27mm f/2.8 autofocus lens for APS-C cameras than it killed it off, to be replaced by a slightly smaller, slightly lighter but otherwise virtually identically specced upgrade. The 7Artisans AF 27mm f/2.8 II is coming less than a year after the original lens launched in April 2024, and will be available in Fujifilm X-mount, Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount.

It has the same count of six elements in five groups, offers the same 0.3m minimum focus distance and six-bladed aperture design. Both lenses have an STM autofocus motor, f/2.8-f/22 aperture range, are exclusive to APS-C sensor cameras, and have a USB port for firmware upgrades.

However, the Mark II edition is a little smaller, measuring 61 x 42mm compared to 64 x 48mm on the older lens, and sheds a few grams too, weighing 144g as opposed to 172g. The filter thread is also smaller, taking 39mm filters rather than 52mm ones.

We won't know if there have been any enhancements to image quality until we get the lens into our labs to run through our testing regime, but rarely does a manufacturer create a new-edition lens that doesn't offer superior performance over the one it is replacing.

A 27mm APS-C lens has an effective focal length of 40.5mm when the 1.5x multiplier is taken into account, so in practical terms it sits somewhere between a 35mm wide lens and a nifty fifty, and should prove useful for street, architecture and general photography.

The new lens is priced at 499 Chinese Yuan, which roughly translates to $68 / £56 / AU$110 with a direct currency exchange, though I would expect the eventual price in these territories to be higher when import fees, distribution costs and local taxes are taken into account. I don't have information about exactly when the new lens will be available to buy either, but I'll update this when I have it – along with any other info that comes my way. In the meantime, see our guide to the best cheap lenses.

It seems that between 7aritsans and TTArtisan, one will have a new lens out at least every week. Today it's the turn of 7artisans with its new 18mm f/5.6 optic. (note: this isn't to be confused with 7artisan's existing 18mm lens, which is an APS-C f/6.3 lens).

The new full-frame 18mm f/5.6 will be available in Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-mount versions and is exceptionally compact and light. The E-mount edition tips the scales at only 146g, while its 61mm diameter and 32mm depth pretty much qualify it as a pancake lens. Despite the low weight, the barrel and mount are made of metal, and inside is a 7-element optical stack arranged in 5 groups, containing two extra-low dispersion elements and an aspherical element. Focussing is possible down to 0.3m, with the 18mm focal length giving a 98.7-degree angle of view.

There are a few compromises that have been made to make the lens so small and light, however. The aperture is fixed at f/5.6, though the excellent high ISO performance of modern mirrorless cameras can effectively compensate for this. Focussing is manual only, and there are no electronic contacts to enable lens-body communication. But again, this needn't be a deal-breaker, as the deep depth of field afforded by the short focal length and relatively narrow fixed aperture means manual focussing shouldn't be too critical.

The 7artisans 18mm f/5.6 will be available to buy from January 15th, priced at $89.

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I’ve been impressed with some of 7Artisans’ lenses over the last few years, from the super-fast 50mm f/1.05 manual-focus standard prime to the 10mm f/2.8 Fish-Eye, which I liked so much when I reviewed it that I went straight out and bought one. As with the more 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8, this 85mm short telephoto lens gains the bonus of full electronic communication with the camera body and the luxury of autofocus. Even so, the purchase price remains much more affordable than for equivalent own-brand lenses from camera manufacturers, as well as undercutting the cost of more directly competing Chinese alternatives. At this price, you can’t expect it to be the best 85mm lens in the world, but it certainly aims to be worthy of consideration if you’re after one of the best portrait lenses to suit a tight budget.

7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8: Specifications

7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8: Price

Launched in late 2024, the full-frame compatible 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 is available in Nikon Z (FX), Sony E (FE), and Leica L mount options. As such, it goes up against own-brand lenses including the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S at $697/£689, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 at $548/£499 and the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 at $498/£599.

It’s no surprise that this independently manufactured Chinese lens costs much less than own-brand competition but, even with that in mind, it’s remarkably inexpensive for quite a sophisticated lens, with a price tag of just $299/£279. It therefore also undercuts more direct Chinese competition including the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 at $339/£325 and the Yongnuo YN85mm f/1.8 DF DSM at $379/£305, both of which are available in Nikon Z and Sony E mount options.

7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8: Design & Handling

I’ll start with the glass, which seems a reasonable place to begin with any camera lens. The 7Artisans is based on 10 elements arranged in 7 groups, with internal focusing so the front element neither extends nor rotates, which is a bonus when using filters. Two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two HRI (High Refractive Index) elements are included, aiming to enhance clarity and color rendition while reducing color fringing. Multi-layer coatings are also applied to minimize ghosting and flare.

From a handling perspective, the lens is nicely compact and lightweight, measuring 72x96mm and weighing 438g, with a modestly sized 62mm filter thread, as per the sibling 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8, which is also a similar size and weight. You can chop and change between the two lenses without noticing much difference. Further similarities include a de-clicked aperture control ring, which is handy when shooting video. I’d have liked to see an iris locking switch, to lock the ring in its Auto position when controlling the aperture from the host camera body but this is absent, so you need to be careful not to nudge it accidentally.

Back on the plus side, there’s an AF/MF focus mode switch, which avoids the time and effort involved in rummaging around camera menus to make the change. It’s something that I always like to see but is often omitted in low-budget lenses.

An extra bonus in the 85mm lens compared with the 50mm, is that it adds a customizable function button, which I’d generally use for AF-hold. The only missed trick is that there’s no second button at a 90-degree offset. Often featured, this enables the function to be duplicated so that it neatly falls under the thumb in portrait as well as landscape orientation shooting.

The build feels solid and the lens is nicely finished, with a high-quality plastic barrel and metal mounting plate. The latter includes a USB-C port, for applying firmware updates if and when needed. This helps to ensure compatibility with future camera launches, or for keeping abreast with unexpected changes in the camera firmware itself.

As I’d expect, the lens is supplied complete with a petal-shaped hood and a pinch-fit front cap. That said, there are plenty of low-budget own-brand lenses from the likes of Canon and Nikon, for which the hood is sold separately as an ‘optional extra’.

7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8: Performance

I tested the Z-mount version of the 7Artisans AF 85mm on my trusty Nikon Z 6II camera body. I found that autofocus speed is a little more pedestrian than I’m used to but the now typical linear stepping motor system delivers very smooth and virtually silent operation when shooting video. True to type, the manual focus ring is electronically coupled and enables precise adjustments, but without an abundance of tactile feedback. Switching back to autofocus mode, I found the lens works well with my Nikon camera’s face/eye recognition and tracking options. That’s a strong point, given that the focal length and aperture combination are so ideal for portraiture.

Sharpness is very good in the central region of the frame, even when shooting wide-open at f/1.8. This aperture also delivers pleasingly soft bokeh, with a natural-looking transition between focused and defocused areas within a scene. The 11-blade aperture helps to keep bokeh disks (formed by defocused lights or bright spots) well-rounded when stopping down a little from the widest aperture. Bokeh disks are also free of the onion ring effect and remain fairly well rounded out towards the edges and corners of the frame.

7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8: Sample Images

The following gallery of example images was shot at the covered street market in the Somerset city of Wells in the UK. Weather conditions were dull and dreary but the lens did well to maintain good clarity and contrast. Most of the images were shot wide-open at f/1.8, to demonstrate the relative merits of sharpness and bokeh, surely the main reason for investing in a fast 85mm prime lens.

7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8: Lab Results

We run a range of lab tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.

We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the center of the image frame, corners and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths. The tests also measure distortion and color fringing (chromatic aberration).

Sharpness

Center sharpness is superb, even wide open at f/1.8, and remains so right though to f/16. By contrast, corner sharpness is comparatively soft. But for a portrait lens where sharpness matters most for subject sharpness in the central region, this may not be a deal-breaker in real-world shooting.

Fringing:

Color fringing is generally negligible, but it does stray into noticeable levels at narrower apertures. Even so, it never becomes distracting.

Distortion: 0.83

There’s a little pincushion distortion, but it’s of a low order and is generally unnoticeable in real-world shooting.

7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8: Verdict

I feel that with its 85mm focal length and f/1.8 aperture rating, the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 is an ideal lens for head-and-shoulders portraiture and still life photography. For really tight head shots, it also works well on APS-C format Nikon Z, Sony E and Leica L-mount mirrorless cameras, giving an ‘effective’ focal length of 127.5mm. I like the lens’s handling, with its stepless aperture control ring and customizable function button, although autofocus speed is a little slower than I was expecting. I’m pleased with its overall image quality which I feel is the main factor in the equation. All things considered, it’s a very nice lens and a genuine bargain at the price.

Alternatives

7Artisans has been making lenses since 2015 and, like most of its back catalog, this is a fully manual lens with no built-in electronics. The lack of autofocus isn’t really a problem because, as a fisheye lens, the depth of field is gigantic.

The only real issue is that no lens-based EXIF data is recorded in images. I love the huge viewing angle and funky-looking distortion of fisheye lenses, this one being a ‘diagonal’ rather than ‘circular’ fisheye, so it delivers a frame-filling image on the full-frame cameras for which it’s designed.

A bonus of being a fully manual lens is that it’s available in a wide range of mount options, including Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z, and Sony FE. The angle of view measures 185 degrees on the diagonal, beating the 178 degrees of the original 7Artisans 10mm f/2.8 Fish-Eye. All in all, the Mark II aims for a spot in the line-up of the best fisheye lenses on the market.

7Artisans 10mm F2.8 II Fish-Eye ED: Specifications

7Artisans 10mm F2.8 II Fish-Eye ED: Price

Launching at the tail end of 2024, the 7Artisans 10mm F2.8 II Fish-Eye ED came to market with a price tag of $278/£269. That’s pretty much the same as the selling price of the original lens, which makes it far less expensive than most own-brand options from camera manufacturers. That’s the sort of bonus I’d expect from a fully manual lens.

7Artisans 10mm F2.8 II Fish-Eye ED: Design & Handling

As with many fisheye lenses, the 7Artisans packs its mighty 185-degree viewing angle into a remarkably compact and lightweight package, measuring 75x95mm and weighing 602g. That’s despite having a fairly fast f/2.8 aperture rating, which is a bonus for shooting the likes of architectural interiors or taking in the huge expanse of a night sky. New fluorescent markings on the barrel make them easier to read after sundown.

One potential problem with architectural interiors for the likes of museums and cathedrals is that tripods are prohibited. Given the huge viewing angle of this lens, there’s a danger of tripod feet creeping into the image frame anyway.

Being a ‘dumb lens’, the camera doesn’t even know that the lens is attached, let alone its vital statistics. As such, in-body image stabilization isn’t available by default, but you can dial in the focal length in the menus of many cameras, enabling stabilization for handheld shooting. Either way, the very short focal length and ultra-wide viewing angle makes camera-shake less of a problem.

As with the original lens, there are 11 elements in 8 groups but the Mark II swaps out the Hoya ULD (Ultra Low Dispersion) element, replacing it with two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements. There’s also one aspherical element. The aperture diaphragm gains two additional blades, taking the count from eight to ten. 10-point sun stars are definitely on the menu.

Build quality is impressive, with a sturdy and nicely finished metal barrel and mounting plate. The same goes for the integral hood that protects the front element, as well as for the slip-on front cap. There are no weather-seals but that’s hardly surprising, given the purchase price.

Fully manual lenses offer a very hands-on experience, and I’m happy to say that the focus and aperture rings work smoothly and precisely, with good tactile feedback. The de-clicked aperture ring requires a satisfying amount of torque for rotation, making it difficult to nudge from its intended setting accidentally. Depth of field markers are on hand, ideal for zone focusing in the tried, trusted and traditional way.

When it comes to the lack of autofocus, I found that I could effectively just set the focus distance to 2m and the depth of field at f/5.6 or narrower apertures would cover everything from really close up to infinity. For anything other than extreme close-ups, it’s therefore pretty much like a focus-free lens.

7Artisans 10mm F2.8 II Fish-Eye ED: Performance

I’ve used plenty of fisheye lenses that are sharp in the central region of the image frame but disappointingly a bit blurry towards the edges, along with pronounced color fringing. The Mark II follows in the footsteps of the original lens by delivering impressive sharpness even out at the edges and corners of the frame, as well as doing an admirable job of minimizing color fringing.

Naturally, barrel distortion is off the scale, but that’s what gives fisheye images their distinctive look and visual impact. It’s also one of the reasons that we don’t run lab tests on fisheye lenses, the other being that we’d need a test chart of architectural proportions.

7Artisans 10mm F2.8 II Fish-Eye ED: Sample Images

The images in the following gallery were taken at Wells Cathedral, in the English county of Somerset, as well as in the surrounding city streets, albeit on a very dull and misty day, somewhat typical for the time of year in the West Country.

7Artisans 10mm F2.8 II Fish-Eye ED: Verdict

I feel that there are definite improvements over the original edition of this lens, the Mark II doubling up on extra-low dispersion elements and having a more well-rounded 10-blade aperture diaphragm, which also happens to produce lovely 10-point sun stars. It’s beautifully built with a sturdy metal construction, the aperture and focus rings work smoothly and precisely, and the image quality is fabulous. I’d go out and buy one right now if I didn’t have the original version as a permanent fixture in my kit bag. Whether or not it’s worth trading in my original lens for a Mark II is a trickier matter. For now, I’ll stick rather than twist.

Alternatives

Attaching conventional filters to a fisheye lens can be problematic due to the bulbous front element impeding a conventional screw-in filter or slot-in filter holder. 7Artisans has combated this problem by essentially re-releasing its existing FF 9mm f/5.6 ASPH in a variety of rather neat rear ND filter bundles.

Rear ND filters attach to the rear element that sits closest to the camera's sensor, completely mitigating a fisheye's spherical front optic. The previously available 7Artisans FF 9mm f/5.6 ASPH can now be purchased in three rear filter packages: an ND64 ($479), ND1000 ($479) and ND64/ND1000 ($499). An ND64 is a six-stop ND, while an ND1000 is a 10-stop ND filter, ideal for capturing long exposures.

The full-frame lens itself boasts an ultra-wide 132-degree field of view and is available for Sony E, Canon EOS R, Nikon Z and Panasonic L mounts. It comes with a wide-angle lens hood and is constructed from 16 lens elements in 11 groups. Two aspherical lenses help reduce distortions and boost image quality.

A 0.2-m minimum focus distance provides close-up options, and a five-bladed aperture allows the lens to render attractive 10-point starbursts. The aperture range is f/5.6 to f/22. A clicky aperture ring and numerals on the lens give it a bit of a retro-cool vibe, and an all-metal body is said to improve durability. The optic weighs approximately 463g, has a diameter of roughly 2.75in (70mm), and a length of 3.4in (86mm).

This is the second piece of fisheye news from 7Artisans this week, after the outfit updated its 10mm f/2.8 fisheye lens to shoot sharper and wider, via the 7Artisans 10mm f/2.8 II. So, it's been a great few days if you're looking for an affordable ultra-wide lens!

Interested in wide-angle photography? Check out the best tripods and the best cameras for landscape photography.

We reported a few weeks ago that lens manufacturer 7Artisans is rumored to be working on an all-new 10mm f/2.8 ultra-wide-angle fisheye lens. Well it's a rumor no more, as not only has 7Artisans confirmed the lens is coming, but it's available now – to preorder at least, and is set to ship in a matter of days.

The 7Artisan's 10mm f/2.8 II comes in Canon R, Leica L, Nikon Z and Sony E mounts, and the price is confirmed to be a very attractive and affordable $278 / £269 / AU$419, with other territories having a similarly low price tag. The lens is an update of its existing 10mm f/2.8 full-frame fisheye, which has been re-engineered to give sharper images on today's high-res 40Mp-plus sensors.

It has a wider field of view than the previous version, with an 185º angle of view compared to 178º on the lens it replaces. The endows the lens with exaggerated barrel distortion that adds a touch of creativity to photos of everything from architecture to portraits.

Perhaps the most standout feature of this lens is that its markings are now fluorescent, and glow an eerie green when the light is low. But this isn't just to help make it look cool; it is highly practical when it comes to shooting at night, and should make it join the ranks of the best lenses for astrophotography, especially considering its ultra-wide 10mm angle of view and fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, which are both desirable traits for an astro lens.

As you might expect at this price, it's a fully manual lens with no built-in autofocus. However, there's a good-sized manual focus ring while focusing is fully internal. A declicked aperture ring enables apertures between f/2.8 and f/16 to be set, while depth-of-field markers etched into the all-metal lens barrel show the degree of focus.

The lens is constructed from 11 elements arranged in eight groups, including aspherical and extra-low dispersion elements to help minimize spherical and chromatic aberration for accurate color reproduction and enhanced image quality.

The diaphragm is made up of eight rounded aperture blades, for attractive bokeh when shooting wide or stunning starbursts with the aperture closed down. The minimum focusing distance is just 0.15m, for sharp closeups at close range.

The lens weighs in at around 600 grams and has dimensions of 75x95mm, depending on the lens mount, making it pretty light and compact for such a wide and fast lens.

We'll bring you our review just as soon as we get our hands on one, but we're expecting great things if its predecessor is anything to go by, as we gave the original lens a five-star review when it was released just three years ago.

Swedish studio light manufacturer Profoto has launched a powerful new monolight, the Profoto D30. The mains-powered light combines fast recycling times and a bi-color LED modeling light with a flash power of 500Ws over an 11-f-stop range, providing professional photographers with precise control over the light at their disposal, even with the largest modifiers fronting the light. All this should help it cement its place as one of the best photography lighting options on the market.

The D30 has three selectable flash modes, depending on the subject you're shooting. Eco mode gives the most accurate color consistency while having the benefit of increasing the lifetime of the equipment. If you need extra power, Boost provides the highest flash output. And for the briefest possible flash duration, use Freeze mode to eliminate motion blur. All this makes the D30 capable of lighting everything from action portraits to product photography where color-accuracy is essential.

In addition to the flash tube, the 35W LED modeling light doubles as a continuous light with a dimmable range of 100-10% and color temperature range of 2,800-7,000K, with a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of greater than 94.

The D30 can be fired via a wired sync socket or built-in wireless connectivity, using the company's Profoto AirX tech over the 2.4GHz frequency, with functions including Sync, TTL, HSS, and Remote Control (Air 1 and Air 2) supported. You have 100 Air channels to choose between, with up to six groups per channel. The monolight is also compatible with the Profoto Camera and Profoto Control apps via Bluetooth.

“With Profoto D30, we wanted to reshape professional studio lighting. Could a strobe with this speed, consistency, robustness, and capabilities really be this compact, lightweight, and simple to set up? Yes, it can!” commented Göran Marén, Product Manager.

The Profoto D30 features a sturdy, compact, and lightweight design, measuring 11x25.5x11cm (4.33x10x4.3in) and weighing 1.85kg (4.1lb), ensuring easy setup and portability. It is available for $1,995/£1,895.

Cheap-and-cheerful Chinese lens maker 7Artisans is rumored to be working on an updated version of its 10mm f/2.8 full-frame fisheye lens, according to rumor-monger photorumors.com (thanks for the heads-up!). The 7Artisan's 10mm f/2.8 II is said to be available in Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon R and Leica L mounts, and is set to retail for US$278 (other territories to be confirmed).

The lens is rumored to be an all-new design, which is primarily aimed at giving sharper images on cameras with higher-res 40Mp-plus sensors. It is claimed to have a wider field of view than the previous incarnation too, reaching 185 degrees as opposed to 178 degrees on the Mark I lens.

The lens markings are now fluorescent, making it easier to use in the dark, which alongside its ultra-wide 10mm angle of view and fast f/2.8 maximum aperture could help it compete with the best lenses for astrophotography on the market.

Like its predecessor, it's a fully manual lens with no built-in autofocus. However, there's a generously sized manual focus ring and focusing is internal, meaning it doesn't extend as you move through the focus range. It will focus from 0.15m to infinity.

An 11-bladed aperture should keep bokeh smooth, and the lens has 11 elements in eight groups, including two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and one aspherical element. Being a fisheye lens with a bulbous front element, there's no filter thread for the attachment of filters.

The lens barrel has a metal construction, and a declicked aperture ring moves from f/2.8 through to f/16, with depth-of-field markers showing the degree of focus through the full-stop range.

The Sony E-mount version is said to measure 75x95mm and weight in at 602g, and other mounts are likely to vary slightly.

We have no news on a release date, and as this is an unverified rumor, it might not even see the light of day at all. In the meantime, we gave the original lens a five-star review, and it's a bargain!

The cheap, auto-focus mirrorless lens arms race continues with the release of the 7Artisans 85mm f/1.8 for Z, a full-frame lens for Nikon Z cameras that's available for order now and is priced at $299 / £229. This plucky little prime was previously available in Sony E mount and comes hot on the heels of the TTArtisans AF 75mm f/2, another budget contender for the best Nikon portrait lenses available.

You can have the best camera for portraits, but if you don't have a lens with a suitable focal length, you're going to struggle. Many portrait photographers consider an 85mm the go-to focal length for people pics, making this affordable prime an attractive prospect for portrait photographers on a budget.

7Artisans' mid-telephoto prime is constructed from 10 elements in seven groups. It includes a pair of extra-low dispersion lenses and two high-refractive lenses to help mitigate distortions and deliver better image quality. 

The lens is built from metal and is a little heavier than the Sony E-mount variant (437.5g), weighing in at 452g. But it's still lighter than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S at 470g. It's a hair smaller than the Nikon optic, too, with a diameter of 72mm (2.83in) and length of 98mm (3.85), compared to the Nikon's 75mm (2.95in) and 99mm (3.89in).

Autofocus is controlled via a stepping motor, for smoother and quieter focusing, which should make it more suitable for video. A feature that's indicative of more premium optics is the presence of a customizable Fn button for easier operation. You'll also find a USB-C input on the rear of the lens for installing firmware updates. 

The lens has a close focusing distance of 0.8m, which is roughly what you'd expect and takes 62mm filters. A nice feature is the presence of an 11-bladed diaphragm. When paired with that fast f/1.8 aperture, it should realize nice, big circular discs of bokeh. 

You may also be interested in our guides to the best Nikon camera or the best Sony camera.

Innovative lens-maker 7Artisans has unveiled a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens that can capture images up to 2x life-size, enabling incredibly detailed close-ups at double the resolution of a standard macro lens. 

With a maximum 2x magnification ratio, it enlarges the tiniest details to reveal a staggering amount of detail that is impossible to see with the naked eye. And as a full-frame-compatible lens, it makes the most of the greater light-gathering capabilities of the latest mirrorless cameras, such as the Nikon Z6 III, Canon EOS R6 or Sony Alpha 7C II. 

The manual focus lens features markings on the lens barrel to show the depth of field through its f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range. It has been constructed from 14 elements in 12 groups, including two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and two High-Refractive elements to effectively suppress chromatic aberration and deliver exceptional image quality while providing accurate color reproduction. This optical design also helps reduce edge distortion and other aberrations.

With a 0.17m minimum focus distance, as measured from the focal plane, the lens enables photographers to get incredibly close to subjects, but unlike some ultra-macro lenses, it is also capable of focusing all the way to infinity, where its 60mm focal length makes it ideal as an everyday standard prime. The bright f/2.8 aperture and full-frame compatibility, in combination with its nine aperture blades, enable backgrounds to be blown out to create beautiful bokeh, making it double as a fabulous choice as a portrait lens.

The lens barrel has an all-metal construction for enhanced durability, yet it's pretty lightweight at just 550g. A 67mm thread enables the attachment of filters. 

The 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Full-frame 2X Ultra-Macro joins such oddities as the incredibly fast 7Artisans 50mm f/1.05 nifty fifty or 7Artisans 10mm f/2.8 fisheye, which surely makes the company one of the most diverse and experimental lens makers out there.

The new lens is available in Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E mounts and has a recommended price of $335.

Check out our guide to the best macro lenses

Lens manufacturer 7Artisans seems to be readying four new autofocus prime lenses. In a roadmap image taken at IBC in Amsterdam and shared with L-rumors.com, we can see a total of six lenses, comprised of four new primes that will supplement two existing 7Artisan's lenses: the AF 50mm f/1.8, and AF 85mm f/1.8. The four upcoming lenses are the:

• AF 35mm F2.8
• AF 40mm F2.8
• AF 24mm F1.8
• AF 35mm F1.8

Like the existing 50mm and 85mm lenses, the four new optics look set to come in Sony E-mount, Nikon Z and L-mount variants, while all but the AF 35mm f/2.8 feature a dedicated aperture control ring. No other details about the new lenses have been made public, but if the new lenses perform anything like the current AF 50mm f/1.8, they should be compelling buys.

The AF 50mm f/1.8 marked 7Artisans' first attempt at an autofocus lens with full lens-body electronic communication. When we reviewed the lens we found it to be a well-built lens that operated smoothly and gave respectable image quality, all for a very reasonable price. The addition of four more focal length options in the AF range can only be good news for Sony, Nikon and L-mount shooters.

Story credit: L-rumors.com

In today's landscape, the demand for video content is at an all-time high, and more and more professionals are bulking out their kits with specialist video equipment. Cine lenses are a staple but often have a larger-than-desired price tag attached – enter 7Artisans.  

The new 7Artisans Hope Prime T2.1 S35 Cine lenses offer competition to the best cine lenses on the market, costing just a fraction of the price of some options.

Available for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon RF-S, and MFT mounts, the Hope Cine prime lens range is comprised of 6 lenses covering wide-angle to medium telephoto and available in black and titanium colorways. A 10mm, 16mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm offer the user versatility to capture video in a wide range of shooting scenarios.

There has been no information regarding future mount options, however, although L mount users will certainly be keen for a release. 

Despite the low price point, the lenses offer an extensive list of features for enhanced performance and ease of use, starting with the generous T2.1 aperture. 

A maximum aperture of T2.1 enables bright capture of the scene, even in low lighting conditions. It also aids in producing a shallower depth of field with a wider perspective, especially when used at the minimum focus distance of just 0.2m.

7Artisans highlights the form factor of the lenses as a key feature to be utilized by creators. Despite covering a wide focal range and being made up of 15 elements in 12 groups, the lenses are lightweight and compact, weighing just 600-800g. This is ideal for those who operate as individuals and provides easy switching of accessories such as gimbals and stabilizers.

Consistency across any cine lens line is key, as it allows the user to seamlessly swap different focal length lenses without changing the shooting rig, and the Hope lenses are no different.

A unified design specification means that the focus ring and the aperture ring are in the same position on all lenses. The focusing rings also provide a focus stroke of 260°, enabling precise focusing control and maximizing accuracy.

Other notable features include multi-layer nano-coating, compatibility with AF accessories, suppressed focus breathing, and a moisture-proof carry box.

The best part about these lenses is the price point. The 7Artisans Hope Prime T2.1 S35 Cine lenses are available individually or as part of a set. 

Pricing of the individual lenses is as follows: 10mm – $489 / £378, 16mm – $399 / £308, 25mm – $369 / £285, 35mm – $369 / £285, 50mm – $369, / £285 85mm – $369 / £285. (Australian pricing to be confirmed).

You may also be interested in our guides to the best cinema lenses, the best cinema camera, and the best camera for filmmaking. 

Chinese lens specialist 7Artisans has just announced its second-ever full-frame autofocus lens - an 85mm f/1.8 prime that is the perfect focal length for portraits. The new lens follows on from the 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8 which was launched last year, and was the company's first venture into autofocus, after previously only offering manual-focus lenses. The company has also released the crop-sensor AF 27mm f/2.8.

The 7Artisans AF 85mm f/1.8 will be available in Sony E-mount for full-frame Alpha mirrorless cameras. 

Impressively, it has 11 iris blades – promising circular bokeh even when closed down. There is also a built-in USB-C port on the bayonet mount that allows the lens to be upgraded easily with new firmware. There is also a function button on the side.

The lens is constructed from 10 elements in seven groups, including two ED glass elements. The lens weighs 437.5g and measures 72x96mm, , and has a 62mm front filter thread.. The closest focusing distance, meanwhile is 0.8m (0.62 feet). 

The price in China is 1580 Yuan - around US$220 or £170 - which suggests it will retail in the West for about the same price as the 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8.

See our round-up of the best lenses for portraits that you can buy right now

Tilt-shift photography is a niche but growing area, with some big releases in this space recently like Fujifilm's tilt-shift GFX lenses which our reviewer called "the best tilt-shift lenses in the world." 

If you have never experienced tilt-shift photography, but want to give it a go, unfortunately, tilt-shift lenses do have a habit of being quite expensive. But recently there have been more affordable lenses in this area coming from a growing number of third-party lens makers, the latest – the 7artisans 50mm F1.4.

The 7artisans 50mm F1.4 is a tilt-shift lens for Sony E-mount or Fujifilm X-mount APS-C cameras and for Micro Four Thirds cameras. This gives the lens a 1.5x (APS-C) or 2x (MTF) crop, giving a full-frame equivalent focal length of either 75mm or 100mm. The lens will be a fully manual lens, so that means manual focus and manual aperture, and I can't see from currently available information if the lens has any electrical contacts for providing EXIF data to the camera. The wide f/1.4 aperture should help create some nice depth of field though.

But what is tilt-shift photography? Tilt-shift photography changes how a lens lines up to the camera sensor, changing this focal plane can manipulate the camera's focus and perspective to either change the view of a subject such as tall buildings in architectural photography, or get front-to-back focus as often used in landscape photography. There are also more fun ways of using tilt-shift lenses such as creating the miniature effect in model worlds.

The 7artisans 50mm f/1.4 is available now and costs $226 in the US, with pricing in other locations to be confirmed. 

Check our guide to the best tilt-shift lenses for other options for you camera

7Artisans is a lens manufacturer that has exclusively focused on high-quality, manual-focus lenses – until now.   

7Artisans has just announced its first AF lens, the 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8 for full frame. We have seen a recent shift from lens manufacturers who have previously focused on MF lenses, with TTArtisan, Sirui, and Samyang all now with an AF lineup for the best mirrorless cameras. 7Artisans have now followed suit, with a fan favorite nifty fifty.

Officially teased on the 7Artisans social media, we got a first glimpse at the new AF lens. Attached to a Sony A-series camera, the image states that it will be available for Sony FE mount, but it doesn't provide much else in the way of information.

The first thing I noticed was the size of the lens. For a 50mm f/1.8, it looks on the larger side, and as the current manual focus, 7Artisans 50mm f/1.05 is fairly petite for its extremely low aperture, this was surprising. One of the benefits of a 50mm lens is its small form factor, so it begs the question "Why is this lens so long?" In addition, 7Artisans lenses are often constructed entirely of metal and glass, offering a professional and robust feel. Add that to the size, the weight may make this lens a not-so-shifty nifty fifty!

Unofficially, some rumors have emerged providing further details on the lens. Thanks to photographs of the lens seen in a Twitter post from @MajunMajuns (via Asobinet), we know that it will also be released for the Nikon Z-mount as well as the Sony E-mount (FE), likely at the same time.

The images provide different angles of the lens, from which we can see the front information. These details include a 62mm filter thread, a minimum focus distance of 0.5m, and an aperture ring from f/1.8 to what looks like f/22.

In a world where almost every lens manufacturer offers a 50mm f/1.8, it is a bit of a head-scratcher as to why they have developed one that is larger than most on the market. However, little is known about the lens and I will hold any judgment until the official details emerge, which I expect will be very shortly, with a scheduled December 2023 release. After that we'll see if it makes our list of the best 50mm lenses.

As a fan of 7Artisans' existing lenses, I am excited to see more of this and other AF lenses from the company.

For more helpful information see our guides on the best Sony lenses and the best Nikon Z lenses. 

Much like its photographic lenses, 7Artisans has a great Cine lens lineup that offers great quality at an affordable price point – and it has just announced a new addition. 

The 7Artisans Spectrum 14mm T2.9 Cine Lens is a manual focus full-frame cine lens, available for the Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, and L mount. With 7Artisan's reputation for excellent build quality and an affordable entry point, this lens looks set to excite. 

The lens has an optical structure consisting of 13 elements in 9 groups, including 2 aspherical (ASPH) and 3 extra-low dispersion (ED) lenses. The 10 aperture blades coupled with the generous T2.9 transmission deliver pleasing background rendition and imaging performance.

The manufacturer states that the Spectrum Cine series keeps a "uniform color balance across different materials, ensuring consistent picture performance and reducing post-processing pressure."

The 14mm T2.9 is an ultra-wide angle full-frame cine lens with a field of view that reaches 114°. Its stepless focus gear design provides an ultra-long 270° focusing stroke, enabling precise and accurate focus. 

This can be exploited further with the use of follow-focus units, which this lens supports. All 7Artisans cine lenses have the same focus gear positioning and front lens diameter, which enables consistent shooting when switching optics. This is important, as it reduces the need for alterations to equipment such as gimbals and focusing devices.

Other noteworthy features offered by this lens include breathing-effect rejection, a de-clicked aperture, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.4m.

The 7Artisans Spectrum 14mm T2.9 Cine Lens will be available for purchase on December 12 at the price of $459 / £459 (approximately AU $700). If you are in the market for a new cinema lens, I would recommend checking out the 7Artisans range on its website for an affordable entry point that does not fail on performance.

Cinema heads might be interested in the best cameras for filmmaking, along with the best anamorphic lenses for filmmakers and the best video editing software.

A new super-wide-angle 9mm lens to be released by 7Artisans for full-frame mirrorless cameras. 

Full-frame mirrorless cameras are to receive yet another new 9mm super-wide angle lens, this time from 7Artisans. The manual focus 9mm f/5.6 lens will be available for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and L mounts. It shares a list of features with the new best wide-angle lenses and looks to be an exciting option for super-wide shooters. 

The 7Artisan 9mm f/5.6 is a fully manual lens, designed for full-frame cameras. Its ultra-wide angle gives a huge view of 132 degrees, ideal for landscape photography and astrophotography. An angle of view this wide can enable the user to capture more of the scene and provide a creative perspective. Despite the focal length, the angle of view does not fall into the fish-eye territory and instead, thanks to two aspherical lenses, provides quality image edges and controlled distortion.

This lens has a smooth all-metal design that makes it more durable but does not stop it from being conveniently lightweight and compact. Weighing in at 463g and with a lens length of 78mm, this lens can be used by photographers on the move, who require a lighter kit.

Another increasingly desired feature, that up until recently I had not been aware of, is the sunstar ability. This lens creates 10-point sun stars by way of its 5 aperture blades, allowing for a pleasing symmetrical light flare. The aperture itself can be used from its minimum of f/5.6 through to its max of f/22.

Other notable features include a 20cm minimum focusing distance, 70mm lens diameter, 2 ED lens elements to suppress chromatic aberration, and a de-clicked aperture ring. The de-click option for the aperture ring has been increasing in popularity, especially with manual focus lenses. It allows a smoother aperture switch when videoing reducing camera shake.

The 7Artisans 9mm f/5.6 Full-frame Wide-angle lens will be officially released on October 13, 2023, at the price of $479 | £459 | AU $749.

There are many wireless microphone systems out there vying for a place as the best microphone for vlogging, from the relatively pricey Hollyland Lark Max Duo kit to the budget-friendly subject of this review - the DMic-S from 7Artisans. 

If you rely on your camera’s built-in microphone then your voice’s sound levels will drop off very quickly once you step away from your recording device - even at a distance of a meter or so. Background noises such as traffic can easily drown out your dialogue. 

• For a bigger picture of the microphone choices out there, check out our best wireless microphone guide

With a wireless transmitter and receiver system your mouth constantly remains at a short distance from the mic so you should always sound loud and clear, even when you are talking to the camera from many meters away. 

7Artisans DMic-S: Specifications

7Artisans DMic-S: Key Features

The 7Artisans DMic-S wireless microphone kit shares key features with many of the wireless mic kits reviewed on this site. It contains two transmitters with built-in omnidirectional microphones and a receiver that you plug into your camera or smartphone via a range of supplied cables (there’s even a lightning cable adaptor if you need to connect to a pre-iPhone 15 model). 

The transmitters have built-in noise reduction tools that are active by default, but you can also clip a supplied windshield onto the transmitters to reduce the rumble caused by wind blowing on the mic.  As there are two transmitters you can walk and talk freely while chatting to an interviewee. Auto gain on the two transmitters ensures crisp clean and audible dialogue. 

The receiver also captures a -6DB safety track at a lower level to reduce the chance of your dialogue distorting. A sampling rate of 48KHz and 24Bit depth help produce CD-level audio quality, though there are conditions where sound quality can vary as you’ll see in our Performance section.  

7Artisans DMic-S: Build & Handling

The DMic-S transmitters and receivers are constructed from an engineering plastic called Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which means they are rugged, resistant to impact, and perform well in high and low temperatures. The lightweight transmitters can clip onto your shirt without dragging the material down. 

The supplied windshields are easy to clip onto the receivers once you realize you need to push and twist the circular connector at the same time. The two transmitters and the receiver are stored in a handy ABS plastic carry case that doubles up as a charger, so all the units are equally charged when you take them out on a shoot. 

The D-Mic-S system pairs the transmitters with the receiver automatically so all you need to do is clip a transmitter onto your shirt, plug the receiver into your camera, and start recording. 

The receiver has a color screen that shows properties such as the strength of incoming sound levels. This visual indicator helps reassure you that you’re capturing a strong signal from the transmitter. A sensible sound recordist can also use the receiver’s 3.5mm headphone monitor socket to listen out for signal drop out or nasty noise during the recording and then reshoot the clip if necessary. 

7Artisans DMic-S: Performance

To test the 7Artisans DMic-S wireless microphone kit I took it to London’s Barbican Centre. I popped one of the transmitters onto my shirt and attached the receiver to an iPhone 15 Pro Max via the supplied USB-C cable. 

It was great to finally not have to rely on using a lightning cable adaptor to attach the receiver to an iPhone now I have access to an iPhone 15 Pro Max (though the DMic-S kit does come with a lighting cable connection if you use an older iPhone). 

I did a test recording and noticed a little wind rumble on the recording despite the on-by-default noise reduction feature. After clipping the supplied windshield onto the mic all the wind noise disappeared and I was able to capture a rumble-free video. The kit’s sampling rate of 48KHz and 24Bit depth captured clear rich sound, though when speaking in my test video’s first location I could detect an occasional but very slight hint of electronic warbling to my voice. Have a listen to my test video. 

You probably won’t notice any audio artifacts so we could say that it is negligible, but I do want to be as thorough in my review as I can be.  I didn’t notice this subtle ‘warbling’ artifact in any other of my test locations. 

I then relocated to an open area to test the distance performance between the transmitter and the receiver. Initially, my voice signal dropped out a few meters from the iPhone when I turned my back on it (causing the transmitter clipped to my shirt to lose line of sight with the receiver attached to the iPhone).  However, after raising the receiver up higher by clipping it to the cable that was connecting it to the iPhone I got a much stronger connection. 

The signal would still drop out from 20 meters away when the transmitter and receiver lost line of sight of each other but when I faced the camera my voice was loud and clear, even from a distance of 60 meters as you’ll hear on the test video. Other mics I’ve tested - such as the Godox Virso - had a much longer range and could still be heard when there was no line of sight (and even through walls!). 

Talking of drop out I do have one note of caution to give. When I had my back to the receiver and the signal dropped out it did take 12 seconds for the signal to return after I had turned to face the camera. This could cause you to miss the start of a presentation (and with no onboard recording you’re only chasing to re-record the sequence). 

Despite this line of sight limitation, the 7Artisan’s DMic-S wireless microphone kit will elevate your show’s audio production values without busting your budget (it’s around a third of the price of many of the mics I’ve reviewed - such as the Hollyland Lark Max Duo Wireless Microphone kit.

Finally, I tested the kit’s noise reduction technology by filming near a fountain. The fountain’s noise was occasionally audible but it didn’t interfere with my voice. When recording using the iPhone’s built-in mic you could hear the fountain loud and clear while my voice was barely audible (even at 2m away from the iPhone), demonstrating that the DMic-S wireless microphone can make a huge improvement to your location filming’s audio quality despite its line of sight limitations.

7Artisans DMic-S: Final Verdict

As long as you don’t turn your back on your camera (and lose line of sight between transmitter and receiver) you can capture your voice from at least 60 meters away from your camera (which should be far enough for most vloggers needs!). 

The DMic-S wireless microphone kit works straight out of the box so it’s a perfect purchase if it’s your first wireless mic kit. It does a good job of reducing unwanted background noise too. A wireless mic is essential for most video content creators and if you’re on a low budget this one will still dramatically improve your audio production values (as you’ll hear from our supporting video). 

If you have more cash to spare and want to be heard while you have your back to the camera then the Godox Virso or Hollyland Lark Max Duo Wireless Microphone kit is worth considering, but those kits do cost a lot more.

Read more: check out our guides for the best microphones for vlogging and filmmaking, or our top picks for the best lavalier microphone.

Who says that fast lenses need to cost a small fortune? Budget brand 7artisans is again providing proof that fast glass can be affordable with the release of the 7artisans 24mm f/1.4 APS-C. 

The manual focus lens will be available for just $109, to fit Canon RF-S, Nikon Z DX, Fujifilm X, Sony E and MFT cameras.

The wide-angle lens's maximum f/1.4 aperture is the big appeal of this lens - making it a great choice for lowlight shooting, or for when you need to defocus the background (such as when shooting environmental portraits).

The metal-cased lens weighs 344g and is constructed from seven elements arranged in six groups, including two ED elements. There are nine aperture blades, and has a 49mm front filter thread. The minimum focus is 30cm.

The aperture range is clickless - making the prime more suitable to video use, when the iris opening needs to be adjusted whilst recording.

The 7artisans 24mm f1.4 APS-C lens is available to order today, with shipping commencing next month in all six mount options - each with a retail price of $109 / £129 / AU$169.

Best Nikon Z lenses
Best Canon RF lenses
Best Micro Four Thirds lenses
Best Fujifilm lenses
Best Canon EF-M lenses
Best cheap lenses

The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.05 breaks the mold. Think super-fast prime lens and you’re probably thinking of big, hefty glass with a preposterous price tag. A notable example is the manual-focus Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, which weighs in at a whopping 2,000g and sells for £8,299/$7,997. 

Designed for mirrorless cameras and available in Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z and Sony FE mount options, this 7Artisans lens is less than a third of the weight of the Noct, and costs just 6 per cent of the price to buy. So what’s the catch? 

The most obvious is that this is a manual focus lens and that it doesn't even have electronic connections for the camera to control the lens aperture. But how does the image quality stack up?

Specifications

Mount: Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z, Sony FE
Lens construction: 10 elements in 7 groups
Angle of view: 46 degrees
Diaphragm blades: 13
Minimum aperture: f/16
Minimum focusing distance: 0.57m
Autofocus type: Manual only
Filter size: 58mm
Dimensions: 61x86mm
Weight: 606g

Key features

The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.05 caters to all the major mirrorless mount options. We tested the Nikon Z edition. The standout feature is naturally its blisteringly fast aperture rating, surprisingly shoehorned into an amazingly compact and lightweight build. It’s actually slightly smaller than Nikon’s comparatively pedestrian Z 50mm f/1.8 S, and even has a smaller filter thread at 58mm compared with 62mm, despite the need to pull in all that extra light.

Not just a manual-focus lens, this one’s purely mechanical and has no built-in electronics whatsoever. You therefore need to adjust the iris via the lens’s aperture control ring rather than from the camera body, limiting the range of semi-automatic PASM shooting options. The focus direction and confirmation indicators in the viewfinder and on the rear screen of Nikon Z cameras are also disabled, but the focus peaking option works a treat. You can also enable the in-body stabilization of Nikon full-frame Z cameras by entering the relevant ‘non-CPU lens data’ in the setup menu.

The lens’s optical path is based on 10 elements in 7 groups, of which two are ULD (Ultra Low Dispersion) elements. The aperture control ring has no click-stops, which is a bonus when shooting video. The aperture diaphragm itself has no less than 13 blades and is particularly well-rounded.

Build and handling

Build quality feels solid and robust. Both the inner and outer barrel are crafted from metal, the inner one extending at shorter focus distances. The supplied slip-on front lens cap is also metal but, by contrast, the mounting plate is made from high-grade plastic, unlike the metal plate of 7Artisans’ sibling 10mm fisheye lens. There are no weather-seals, neither on the mounting plate nor elsewhere around the joints.

Handling benefits from a smoothly operating focus ring with sufficient rotational travel to enable good precision throughout the entire range, from 0.57m to infinity. A focus distance scale is clearly marked on the ring, calibrated in feet and metres, and the rearward adjacent section of the barrel has depth of field markings for f/1.05 (negligible), f/2.8, f/4, f/8, f/11 and the narrowest available aperture of f/16. This is a particular bonus for ‘zone focusing’, enabling you dial in the minimum and maximum distances at which objects will be rendered sharply, for any marked aperture setting.

The stepless or ‘de-clicked’ aperture ring operates with a similarly smooth action but, while it’s a bonus for video capture, there’s a bit of guesswork involved in setting precise apertures for stills between f/4 and f/16.

Performance

Sharpness is highly impressive at apertures of f/2 and narrower and, for such a fast-aperture lens, holds up very well even when shooting wide-open at f/1.05. What’s arguably more important for this type of lens is the quality of bokeh, and that’s where the 7Artisans really excels.

Depth of field is really tight at f/1.05, enabling you to isolate subjects against blurred surroundings. The quality of defocused areas is lusciously smooth and dreamy, and the transition between sharp and blurred areas looks entirely natural with a soft progression.

Fast lenses often suffer from noticeable axial chromatic aberration (bokeh fringing), where high-contrast edges of objects in front of and behind the point of focus, typically taking on red, green  or blue fringes anywhere across the image frame. The 7Artisans keeps this fringing to a bare minimum and performs much better than many much pricier fast lenses that we’ve tested. Another bokeh bonus is that defocused pinpricks of light and other bright objects keep a fairly well-rounded appearance when shooting wide-open, even away from the central region of the frame. These ‘bokeh discs’ remain very circular and uniformly outlined when stopping down, thanks to the extremely well-rounded 13-blade aperture diaphragm.

Lab results

We run a range of lab tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.

We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the centre of the image frame, corners and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths. The tests also measure distortion and color fringing (chromatic aberration).

Sharpness:

Sharpness is excellent overall, only dropping off a little at the very widest apertures between f/1.05 and f/1.4. One curiosity is that, at apertures between f/2.8 and f/11, sharpness is even better in the outlying area of the image frame, between the centre and the edge.

Fringing:

There’s very little in the way of colour fringing. Lateral chromatic aberration towards the edges and corners of the frame is quite negligible, even when uncorrected. For such a fast lens, axial/longitudinal chromatic aberration is particularly well controlled, even at the widest aperture.

Distortion: -0.65

There’s just a hint of barrel distortion but it’s so slight that it’s almost impossible to spot in the vast majority of subject matter.

Verdict

For keeping shutter speeds sufficiently fast under dim lighting, to freeze motion without bumping up your camera’s ISO setting too far, this lens has a lot going for it. The f/1.05 aperture also delivers a really tight depth of field, ideal for isolating objects in fussy scenes by blurring the surroundings. Considering the speed of the aperture rating, the lens is amazingly compact and lightweight, yet tough and well-built. Handling is very refined and image quality is excellent, making the lens standout value at the price.

Read more:

• Best 50mm lenses
• Best lenses for bokeh
• Best Canon RF lenses
• Best L-mount lenses
• Best Nikon Z lenses
• Best Sony lenses

7artisans has recently announced a new 25mm f/0.95 lens for APS-C lens mounts including Sony E-mount, Nikon Z-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Micro Four Thirds and Canon EOS M. This joins the recently released 7artisans 50mm f/0.95 and 35mm f/0.95 lenses to form the 'Firefly' series, which is designed to deliver super wide maximum apertures.

Due at the end of September, the 7artisans 25mm f/0.95 features 11 optical structures in nine groups, all of which use HOYA lenses. There are also three HOYA ultra-low dispersion lenses to suppress any aspherical aberration that could affect the image resolution. 

• Read more: Best Micro Four Thirds lenses

Meanwhile, the 25mm wide angle focal length means that users will be able to capture more of their scene, making it a great option for travel photography. Plus, the super wide f/0.95 aperture will enable users to capture beautifully shallow depth-of-field portraits as well.

The 7artisans 25mm f/0.95 also features a minimum focusing distance of 0.25m, giving users the ability to capture close-up images of their favorite tiny subjects. Meanwhile, 7artisans promises minimal focusing breathing compared to other models, especially in the center. Plus, the stepless aperture design should ensure a smooth transition between apertures for videographers. As a manual focus lens, videographers will also appreciate the moderate damping for the aperture and focus rings, which is designed to give users a good amount of control. 

This latest lens from 7artisans features a mechanical structure made of metal. The new housing oxidation process is designed to make the wear resistance and oil stain and corrosion resistance stronger. 

At present, there's no formal word on how much the new 7artisans 25mm f/0.95 lens will set you back. However, when the product is released (expected at the end of September), you'll be able to find it on the 7artisans Amazon store. 

Read more

Best Nikon lenses
Best Canon lenses
Best Fujifilm lenses

The 7Artisans 10mm f/2.8 Fisheye is part of a unique group of lenses. There are some seriously wide-angle rectilinear lenses available for mirrorless full-frame cameras, but fisheye lenses really take off the blinkers. 

Unlike a circular fisheye, which gives a full 180-degree viewing angle in both the vertical and horizontal planes but only uses the central region of the image sensor to create a circular image, this 7Artisans lens is a diagonal fisheye. As such, you get a 178-degree viewing angle measured on the diagonal, which is still frankly enormous, and the whole image sensor is utilised to create rectangular images.

Specifications

Mount: Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z, Sony FE
Lens construction: 11 elements in 8 groups
Angle of view: 178 degrees
Diaphragm blades: 8
Minimum aperture: f/22
Minimum focusing distance: 0.17m
Autofocus type: Manual only
Filter size: N/A
Dimensions: 87x68mm
Weight: 570g

Key features

Top of the features list is the mighty viewing angle, but it’s shoehorned into a conveniently compact and lightweight package. The lens has a fast f/2.8 aperture rating, well-suited to shooting indoors or at twilight without having to bump up your camera’s ISO setting too far, to retain usable shutter speeds. Given the extremely short focal length, camera-shake is rarely a problem anyway. Even so, in-body stabilization proved available on the Nikon Z full-frame camera we used for testing, after dialling in the approximate ‘Non-CPU lens data’ in the setup menu.

The lens is based on 11 elements in 8 groups and includes a Hoya ULD (Ultra Low Dispersion) element. There are no built-in electronics so aperture control and focusing are purely manual affairs, based on the lens’s two control rings. You can’t control the aperture from the host camera body, limiting compatibility for PASM shooting modes, and no lens-based EXIF data is stored within image files.

Build and handling

Build quality is very convincing. Extensive use of sturdy metal parts is featured for the lens barrel and mounting plate, as well as for the built-in hood which protects the protruding front element, and even for the slip-on lens hood. The only potential disappointment is that the lens lacks any weather-seals.

Handling feels very refined. The lens is quite compact at just 87x68mm and fairly lightweight at an easily manageable 570g. The two control rings work smoothly and precisely, with long rotational travel for the focus ring and stepless ‘de-clicked’ operation for the aperture ring. The latter is a bonus if you’re shooting video.

The minimum focus distance is impressively short, at just 0.17m, so you can get up really close to objects and further exaggerate the fisheye perspective effect. The lack of autofocus might be seen as an obstacle but, in practice, it’s no big deal. The depth of field is so vast that accurate focusing is rarely required. Indeed, for shooting everything other than extreme close-ups with an aperture of f/5.6 or narrower, you can set the focus ring to its 0.6m/2 ft marking and everything should be sharp from really close up, all the way to infinity. As such, you can generally just set the focus ring and forget about it.

Performance

There’s nothing new about fisheye lenses but most only deliver mediocre image quality. Despite its low-budget asking price, the 7Artisans produces pictorial excellence in every respect. Naturally, you get the extreme barrel distortion that you’d expect from a fisheye, but that’s part of its charm. More unusually, sharpness is excellent for a fisheye, right out to the extreme edges and corners of the image frame, even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8. The lens also does hugely well to suppress chromatic aberrations, with negligible colour fringing even at the corners of the frame.

Verdict

As a diagonal fisheye, the 7Artisans 10mm really does come up trumps for build quality, handling and optical performance. It’s super-sharp for its breed, a delight to use, and it looks and feels a really high-quality lens. All of this is at odds with the extremely competitive asking price, which makes the lens an absolute bargain.

Read more:

• Best fisheye lenses
• Best lenses for bokeh
• Best Canon RF lenses
• Best L-mount lenses
• Best Nikon Z lenses
• Best Sony lenses

The first pictures of the new 7artisans 10mm f/2.8 fisheye lens for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras have appeared, suggesting that its release could be imminent.

Three months ago it was revealed that the company were set to launch four new lenses, one of which would be the 7artisans 10mm f/2.8 fisheye, in Nikon Z as well as other full-frame mounts.

• Read more: Best Nikon Z lenses

Since then, little has been heard of the 7artisans 10mm f2.8 fisheye. However details are starting to emerge and the new pictures of a Nikon Z mount version of the lens should mean its release isn't far off.

The lens looks set to contains 11 elements in 8 groups and a 178 degree angle of view. It features a declicked aperture ring, has a close focusing distance of 17cm and weighs around 570g.

The 7artisans 10mm f2.8 fisheye would be a great option for full-frame mirrorless camera owners who require a super wide angle lens. Fisheyes tend to be specialist lenses with niche creative or commercial applications. The 7artisans 10mm f/2.8 fisheye, therefore, could be particularly appealing as the company is known for its competitively priced lenses – such as the Leica M mount 75mm f1.25. 

The 7artisans 10mm f/2.8 fisheye could be as useful for videographers as for photographers due to its stepless aperture ring, which allows for smooth transitions between apertures. With its super close minimum focus distance, it could help both photo and video enthusiasts create some interesting results. 

These images initially appeared on the Nikon Rumors website. As well as Nikon Z, the 7artisans 10mm f/2.8 fisheye looks set to be released in Sony E, Leica L and Canon RF full frame mounts. No price has yet been confirmed.

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7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro

Lens manufacturer 7artisans is due to announce four new lenses for full-frame, APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras soon. These anticipated lenses include a 10mm f/2.8 fisheye, a 7.5mm f/2.8 II, a 55mm f/1.4 II and a 60mm f/2.8 II macro lens. 

Aside from the 10mm f/2.8 fish eye lens, which will be for full-frame cameras, most of the new lenses from 7artisans will be for APS-C and MFT cameras. As with all 7artisans lenses, these new lenses will all be manual focus only.

• Read more: Best APS-C compact cameras

The 7artisans 10mm f/2.8 fisheye lens for full frame could be a great option for those that require a super wide angle lens. Fisheye lenses tend to be specialist lenses that can either be used creatively or commercially. In a commercial setting, these types of lenses are generally used for producing virtual tours for interiors. 

However, this lens could also be useful for videographers due to its stepless aperture ring, which allows for smooth transitions between apertures. With a super close minimum focus distance of only 17cm, this lens could help both photographers and videographers create some interesting results. 

Meanwhile, the upcoming 7.5mm f/2.8 II is due to be an updated version of the current fisheye lens from 7artisans. This lens will offer a similar effective field of view to the 10mm f/2.8 fish-eye lens, except that it has been designed specifically for APS-C and MFT cameras. 

7artisans are also due to announce the fast aperture portrait lens, the 55mm f/1.4 II. This is also an update to the existing model and will offer a field of view similar to an 85mm lens on a full-frame camera. The minimum focus distance on this lens is only 42cm, which offers a greater amount of flexibility compared to many other portrait lenses in this category. Although it might not be able to get quite as close as a macro lens, the close focusing distance on the 7artisans 55mm f/1.4 II could help produce tighter portraits. 

Finally, 7artisans is also planning on announcing a 60mm f/2.8 II macro lens. This will also be an update to the existing 60mm f/2.8 lens from the company. With a minimum focus distance of just 17.5cm, this lens could be a great option for getting super close to subjects. The biggest update for this lens is its optical performance, with the MTF charts showing a remarkable improvement in performance over the current version.  

At present, no release date or pricing information has been released. However, based on the MTF charts, is appears that 7artisans is about to announce some extremely high quality lenses. 

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7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro

Affordable lens manufacturer 7Artisans has just released its new 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens on just about every mirrorless camera format imaginable. 

The exhaustive list of available mounts and corresponding sensor sizes means that the lens will possess a different effective focal length, depending on which system you use: 

Canon RF – 60mm
Nikon Z – 60mm
Leica L – 60mm
Sony E – 90mm
Fujifilm X – 90mm
Canon M – 96mm
Micro Four Thirds – 120mm

The 10-blade aperture, of course, remains a fast f/2.8 regardless of your camera (although you need to multiply that number by the crop factor of your sensor to get the effective depth of field). 

At 550g the 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro isn't a discreet lens, though its build quality is absolutely rock solid. It contains eight lens elements in seven groups, with the manufacturer stating that the floating system on the front glass guarantees excellent image quality at infinity and 1:1 magnification. 

It's a manual focus-only lens, which is obviously ideal for serious macro work, and the aperture ring has been de-clicked, so you shouldn't disturb any sensitive subjects (or micro-knock the camera position) while adjusting your exposure. 

The 60mm f/2.8 has a close focusing distance of 26cm, which allows more room for a lighting setup. Focusing isn't internal, but doesn't protrude as much as the images suggest – you can remove the insanely long lens barrel so as not to scare off any insects you might be trying to sneak up on. 

There's no shortage of extreme close-up optics out there, but early reports suggest that this one could be a serious contender for our list of best macro lenses.  The 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens is available now for $159 / £159. 

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