Review of 7Artisans 1: 1.8 / 25mm HD.MC

Navigation

1. In short
2. All 7Artisans lenses
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Focusing
6. Image quality
7. Sample Photos
8. My experience
9. All Sony APS-C E cameras
10. All original lenses for Sony APS-C E
11. Price
12. Results
13. User Comments
14. Add your review or question on the lens

Please note that the 7Artisans 1: 1.8 / 25mm HD.MC lens is available in different mounts. This review shows the 7Artisans 1: 1.8 / 25mm HD.MC version for mirrorless cameras Sony E with APS-C sensor (for cropped cameras). At the same time 7Artisans 1: 1.8 / 25mm HD.MC is also available with mounts Fujifilm x, Canon EF-M и Micro 4 / 3... Also, please note that 7Artisans 1: 1.8 / 25mm HD.MC is available with both a black case (the version shown in this review) and with silver body. The silver color of the case may be useful to those users who have silver or white / gray cameras.

In this review, the 7Artisans 1: 1.8 / 25mm HD.MC lens will be abbreviated as 7Artisans 25 / 1.8.

In short

7Artisans 25 / 1.8 is a modern manual fast prime lens for cropped mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor or smaller. A very popular model, one of the best selling lenses from 7Artisans. The center of the frame is sharp already at F / 1.8.

It is interesting for its low price, compact size, all-metal body, 12 aperture blades and a convenient focal length. On cameras with an APS-C sensor, this is a moderately wide angle lens that can serve as a standard solution for everyday shooting.

Among the shortcomings, first of all, we can highlight the poor image quality in the corners of the frame and strong vignetting at open apertures.

History

The 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 lens was introduced 17 2017 June years and is the very first lens from 7Artisans. In the same year, a little later, lenses were presented 7.5/2.8, 35/2 и 50/1.1.

All 7Artisans lenses:

Autofocus for APS-C:

1. 7Artisans 25 mm F/1.8 AF [E, Z, X, APS-C]
2. 7Artisans 27 mm F/2.8 AF (announcement) [E, Z, X, APS-C]
3. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.4 AF [E, Z, X, APS-C]
4. 7Artisans 50mm F/1.4 AF [E, Z, X, APS-C]

Autofocus for Full Frame:

• 7Artisans 24 mm F/1.8 AF STM [E/FE, Z, L, FUll FRAME]
• 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.8 AF STM [E/FE, Z, L, FUll FRAME]
• 7Artisans 35 mm F/2.8 AF STM [E/FE, Z, L, FUll FRAME]
• 7Artisans 40 mm F/2.8 AF STM [E/FE, Z, L, FUll FRAME]
• 7Artisans 50 mm F/1.8 AF STM (announcement) [E/FE, Z, L, FUll FRAME]
• 7Artisans 85 mm F/1.8 AF STM FE (announcement) [E/FE, Z, L, FUll FRAME]

Manual, for mirrorless cameras with APS-C or Micro 4/3 sensor:

1. 7Artisans 4 mm F/2.8 (announcement) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3]
2. 7Artisans 7.5 mm F/2.8 Fish-Eye (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, versions 2017 и 2019]
3. 7Artisans 7.5 mm F / 2.8 Fish-Eye II (announcement) [EF-M, E, X, Z, M4 / 3]
4. 7Artisans 12 mm F/2.8 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3]
5. 7Artisans 12 mm F / 2.8 II (announcement) [EF-M, RF, E, X, Z, M4/3]
6. 7Artisans 18 mm F/6.3 (announcement) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3]
7. 7Artisans 18 mm F/6.3 NEW (announcement) [E, X, Z]
8. 7Artisans 24 mm 1:1.4 (announcement) [EF-M, RF, E, X, Z, M4/3]
9. 7Artisans 25 mm F/1.8 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, black / silver]
10. 7Artisans 25 mm F/0.95 (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, M4 / 3, RF, L]
11. 7Artisans 35 mm F/0.95 (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, RF, M4 / 3]
12. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.2 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, black / silver]
13. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.2 II (overview) [Z, EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, other optical design]
14. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.4 (overview) [Z, EF-M, E, X, RF, M4/3, black/silver]
15. 7Artisans 50 mm F/1.8 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, versions with 10 and 12 petals]
16. 7Artisans 50 mm F/0.95 (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, RF, M4 / 3]
17. 7Artisans 50 mm F / 1.4 Tilt-Shift (announcement) [E, X, M4/3]
18. 7Artisans 55 mm F/1.4 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, Leica L, black/silver]
19. 7Artisans 55 mm F / 1.4 II (announcement) [EF-M, E, X, Z, M4 / 3]
20. 7Artisans 60 mm F/2.8 Macro (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, RF, M4 / 3]
21. 7Artisans 60 mm F / 2.8 Macro II (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, RF, L, M4/3]

For mirrorless full frame cameras (Full Frame):

1. 7Artisans 9 mm F5.6 (overview) [RF, Z, E, L]
2. 7Artisans 10 mm F / 2.8 Fisheye ED [RF, Z, E, L]
3. 7Artisans 15 mm F/4 ASPH [RF, Z, E, L]
4. 7Artisans 28 mm F/1.4 (overview) [Leica M only, two versions]
5. 7Artisans 28 mm F / 5.6 wen [Leica M only]
6. 7Artisans 35 mm F / 1.4 [IS]
7. 7Artisans 35 mm F / 1.4 wen [Leica M only, different optical design]
8. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.4 III [RF, Z, E, L]
9. 7Artisans 35 mm F/2 (overview) [E, X, black / silver]
10. 7Artisans 35 mm F/2 (overview) [Leica M only, different body design]
11. 7Artisans 35 mm F/2 MARK II (announcement) [Leica M only, black/silver, different body design]
12. 7Artisans 35 mm F/5.6wen (overview) [Leica M + E, Z, L, RF, black, black & gold, silver & black, silver & gold]
13. 7Artisans 50 mm F/1.05 APO (overview) [RF, Z, E, L]
14. 7Artisans 50 mm F/1.1 (overview) [Leica M only, black / silver + 'Limited Gold'+'RED DRAGON SPECIAL EDITION']
15. 7Artisans 60 mm F/2.8 Macro 2x (ali) [RF, E, Z]
16. 7Artisans 75 mm F/1.25 [Leica M only]

For SLR cameras with APS-C sensor:

1. 7Artisans 7.5mm 1:3.5 FISH-EYE (announcement) [only for EF/EFS]

Cinema lenses [E, L, Z, RF, X, M4/3]:

1. APS-C: 12mm T2.9, 25mm T1.05, 35mm T1.05, 50mm T1.05
2. S35: 24-96mm T2.9 (EF/PL)
3. Full Frame: 14mm T2.9, 35mm T2, 50mm T2, 85mm T2

Drone Lenses:

• APS-C: 7Artisans 25 mm F / 5.6 (ali) [E, for drones]
• Full frame: 7Artisans 35 mm F / 5.6 (ali) [FE/E, for drones]

These lenses are the easiest to find on Aliexpress from the official dealer 7Artisans.

Main technical characteristics of 7Artisans 1: 1.8 / 25mm HD.MC

Review Instance Name	Near the front lens: '7artisans 170323 HD.MC 1: 1.8 / 25mm Ø46mm' ('a'rtisans written with small) 'E-Mount' side.
Basic properties	HD.MC (High Ddefinition Multi Coating) - multi-coating optics The lens uses a Sony E mount and is suitable for Sony mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor Manual focus only Metal mount, metal body Black color of bayonet
Front Filter Diameter	46 mm
Focal length	25 mm EGF for Sony E cameras, Fujifilm x with APS-C sensor is 37.5 mm EGF for cameras Canon EF-M with APS-C sensor is 40 mm EGF for system cameras Micro 4 / 3 is 50 mm
Zoom ratio	1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by	Option from the review for cropped mirrorless Sony cameras. This lens exists with mounts: Sony E Canon EF-M Fujifilm x Micro 4 / 3
Number of aperture blades	12 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark focus distance scale in meters and feet depth of field scale for f / 2.8, 4, 8, 16 aperture scale
Diaphragm	f / 1.8 to f / 16, controlled by aperture control ring. There are labels for F / 1.8, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 16 (no value for F / 11). The ring rotates without clicks, smoothly. Any intermediate value can be set.
MDF	0.18 meters, maximum magnification ratio of approximately 1: 4 (measured)
The weight	143 grams (according to instructions) 138 grams (lens only, version for Sony E, measured)
Optical design	7 elements in 5 groups
Lens hood	It must be screwed into the thread of the front filter, is supplied
Manufacturer country	Made in China (there is no data on the country of manufacture on the lens itself)
Period	Announced June 17, 2017
Price	Look at the official seller on Aliexpress

Many amateur photographers want a fast fix, especially in addition to their full-time / 'whale' lens. Aperture F / 1.8 two or more steps wider f / 4 aperture, which is used in 'dark' kit lenses at 25 mm focal length. In numerical terms, this means that 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 is approximately 5 times brighterthan, for example, regular Sony 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS or Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSSwhich use a maximum relative aperture of only 25: 1 and 4: 1 at 4.5 mm of focal length. The calculation of the difference in the relative aperture (count the aperture) is performed elementarily: (4 * 4) / (1.8 * 1.8) = 4.94, which is rounded to the value '5'.

Assembly

It's important: 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 is available in black and silvery body color. The review shows a lens with a black housing. Silver color of the body may be useful for those users who have silver or white / gray cameras.

The box contains the lens itself with front and back covers, a small instruction and a quality control certificate. In the middle of the box there are very large and soft foam holders.

In general, the lens well assembled. 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 has bayonet mount metal and the lens case itself is completely made of metal, anodized aluminum is used.

The front lens is deeply recessed into the frame of the case, which creates the effect of an installed hood.

Important: lens mount also painted blackwhich makes the design of 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 complete and pleasant enough. Typically, such lenses have a metal mount without painting.

The weight of the 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 lens itself is about 140 grams. In the hands, the lens feels like a solid thing.

The filter diameter is 46 mm. By itself, the 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 is quite compact, well suited for small Sony cameras with an APS-C sensor.

The diaphragm consists of 12 (twelve!) of petals and forms a round hole at any values, while in the photos in the blur zone, rather round discs of blur are obtained. The diaphragm can only be controlled manually using a special ring. The diaphragm ring rotates smoothly, no clicks and fixed values, you can set any intermediate value in the range of F / 1.8-F / 16, which is very useful during movie shooting.

It's important: The marks on the aperture ring from F / 2 to F / 16 are not true. When going from F / 2.0 -> 2.8 -> 4 -> 5.6 -> 8 -> 11 (?) -> 16 drop exposure does not occur correctly (not in steps). F / 16 is actually about F / 11. And, for example, the F / 5.6 mark actually corresponds to the real F / 4 value. When rotating the aperture ring from f / 1.8, for example, to f / 2.8 Exposition falls by only 1/3 of a stop (and should fall by 4/3 of a stop).

Interestingly: Through the lens, you can see that the aperture blades at F / 1.8 are not fully open (the blades are not fully hidden in the body).

Interesting 2: Behind one of the front lenses (or behind the lens group) there is a matte dark red auxiliary diaphragm. Most likely, it artificially limits the inlet to increase optical performance. The entrance pupil diameter with this aperture is about 13-14 mm, which corresponds to a relative aperture of 1: 1.8 at a 25 mm focal length. The light transmittance of the lens is high and is at the T / 2.0 level.

Focusing

The focusing ring is narrow, metal, with very fine notched ribs. The ring spins on 90 degrees (1/4 of a full turn). Focusing is smooth and pleasant. There is a slight lag of the focusing ring in the focusing position at infinity.

During focusing, the trunk of the lens runs forward but does not spin. During focusing, the entire lens block moves.

On the ring there is a scale with a focusing distance in meters and feet and a depth of field scale.

The minimum focusing distance is only 18 centimeters and the maximum zoom ratio is approximately 1: 4, which is a good value for close-up shots of small subjects.

7Artisans 25 / 1.8 has a small 'Focus Breathing' effect (changes in viewing angle during focusing). During focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle decreases.

Focus Shift (shift focus, changing the focus distance due to iris) is missing.

Important: focus picking with 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 on a Sony Alpha 3500 camera works well.

Image quality

The weakest side of the 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 is the very poor sharpness in the far corners of the frame, which does not bounce back even with a strong aperture. But for most of the frame, the resolution is good or satisfactory.

Sharpness

1. at f / 1.8 in the center of the frame, the lens easily copes with the 20MP Sony a3500 sensor, the resolution can be called good
2. there is a very strong drop in sharpness in the far corners of the frame (first of all, this is due to the curved field of sharpness)
3. it's important: in the far corners of the frame, sharpness does not bounce back, even at very closed apertures
4. there is a strong coma in the corners and edges
5. excellent center resolution occurs after f / 4

Distortion

1. there is a small barrel-shaped distortion
2. distortion is unified and easily fixable in the editor
3. in the vast majority of cases, distortion remains invisible and does not impair the perception of the image

Vignetting

1. a strong vignetting at f / 1.8 when focusing at long focusing distances
2. vignetting is significantly reduced when the aperture is closed down to f / 4-5.6
3. vignetting decreases during focusing towards MDF

Aberration

1. chromatic aberration well fixed and spoil the frame only in very rare cases (overexposed example)
2. the strongest chromatic aberration noticeable in the corners and edges of the frame
3. chromatic aberration are at a level typical for high-quality similar lenses

Rest

1. bright light sources can produce a large amount of backlight glare (example on f / 16)
   
2. the lens tolerates side light well
3. the effect of a 12-ray star is almost impossible to get, even at F / 16
4. slightly curled bokeh with pronounced discs of confusion in the form of 'lemon' or 'cat's eyes' (there are examples in the gallery)
5. on heavily covered apertures, the confusion discs have a fairly round shape (example on f / 8)

Important: at the time of the creation of this review, there was no 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 profile for popular RAW converters. You can create a profile yourself or wait for its release.

Sample Photos

All photos in the review are shown without processing. Camera used Sony α3500 (Sony ILCE-3500) based on EXMOR APS-C CMOS 20 MP sensor. All photos are on-camera JPEG. Functions' Corr. ob .: Shading ',' Corr. about: Chrome. aberr. ' and 'Corr. rev .: Distortion 'have been disabled.

Original images in JPEG format can be downloaded as an archive at this link (77 files, 450 MB). Original RAW ('.ARW') images can be download the archive from this link (24 files, 400 MB).

My experience

The 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 lens gained its popularity deservedly. This is a good solution for amateur photographers. The lens has its problems, but the low price, convenient focal length, compact size and quite adequate sharpness in the center of the frame at F / 1.8 do the trick.

PERGEAR 25mm 1: 1.8 HD.MC (Aka ANDOER 25mm 1: 1.8 HD.MC) I liked a little more than 7Artisans 25 / 1.8.

All Sony E-mount cameras with APS-C sensor

• NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-F3, NEX-3Women
• NEX-5, NEX-5N, NEX-5R, NEX-5T
• NEX-6, NEX-7
• a3000, a3500
• a5000, a5100
• a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, a6700
• ZV-E10, ZV-E10 II
• FX30
• QX1
• Hasselblad lunar

All Sony E lenses for APS-C

Fix Lenses:

1. Sony 11 mm f/1.8 (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
2. Sony 15 mm f / 1.4 G (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
3. Sony 16 mm f/2.8 (overview) [2010, silver, BHphotovideo]
4. Sony 20 mm f/2.8 (announcement) [2013, silver, BHphotovideo]
5. Sony 24 mm f / 1.8 ZEISS ZA (overview) [2011, black, BHphotovideo]
6. Sony 30 mm f / 3.5 MACRO (overview) [2011, silver, BHphotovideo]
7. Sony 35 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
8. Sony 50 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, BHphotovideo]

Zoom Lenses:

1. Sony 10-18mm f / 4 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
2. Sony 10-20mm f / 4 G PZ (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
3. Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS (overview) [2012, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
4. Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS II (announcement) [2024, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
5. Sony 16-55mm f / 2.8 G (overview) [2019, black, BHphotovideo]
6. Sony 16-70mm f / 4 OSS ZEISS ZA (overview) [2013, black, BHphotovideo]
7. Sony 18-50mm f/4-5.6 (overview) [2014, black]
8. Sony 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2010, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
9. Sony 18-105mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (overview) [2013, black, BHphotovideo]
10. Sony 18-110mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (announcement) [2016, black, BHphotovideo]
    
11. Sony 18-135mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2018, black, BHphotovideo]
12. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS (overview) [2010, silver, BHphotovideo]
13. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS LE (overview) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
14. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 PZ OSS (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
    
15. Sony 55-210mm f / 4.5-6.3 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
16. Sony 70-350mm f/4.5–6.3 G OSS (announcement) [2019, black, BHphotovideo]

Third-party autofocus lenses for Sony E APS-C:

• Sigma: Sigma C 16 / 1.4 | Sigma A 19 / 2.8 | Sigma EX 19 / 2.8 | Sigma C 30 / 1.4 | Sigma EX 30 / 2.8 | Sigma A 30 / 2.8 | Sigma C 56 / 1.4 | Sigma A 60 / 2.8 | Sigma C 10-18 / 2.8 | Sigma C 18-50 / 2.8
• felttrox: Viltrox 13 / 1.4 | Viltrox 23 / 1.4 | felttrox 27/1.2 | Viltrox 33 / 1.4 | Viltrox 56 / 1.7 | Viltrox 56 / 1.4 | felttrox 75/1.2
• Tamron: Tamron 11-20 / 2.8 | Tamron 17-70 / 2.8 VC | Tamron 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 VC | Tamron 18-300 / 3.5-6.3 VC
• tokina: Tokina 23 / 1.4 | Tokina 33 / 1.4 | Tokina 56 / 1.4 | Tokina 11-18 / 2.8
• Zeiss: Zeiss Touit Distagon 12/2.8 | Zeiss Touit Planar 32/1.8 | Zeiss Touit Makro Planar 50/2.8M
• Hasselblad: Hasselblad E 3.5-5.6 / 18-55 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 3.5-6.3 / 18-200 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 2.8 / 16 LF
• yongnuo: Yongnuo 11 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 16 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 23 / 1.4 | Yongnuo 33 / 1.4 | Yongnuo 50 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 50 / 1.8 II | Yongnuo 56 / 1.4
• TTArtisan: TTArtisan 27 / 2.8 | TTArtisan 35 / 1.8 | TTArtisan 56 / 1.8
• Brightin star: Brightin Star 50 / 1.4
• Meike: Meike 33 / 1.4 | Meike 55 / 1.4
• 7Artisans: 7Artisans 27 / 2.8
• Samyang: Samyang 12 / 2

Many interesting manual solutions are provided by Chinese manufacturers and brands. 7Artisans, TTartisan, Meike, Neewer, PerGear, Kamlan, Brightin star, Mitakon Zhongyi, Venus laowa, Fujian, ARTRALAB, AstrHori other. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters are also interesting Viltrox Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X и Metabones Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X... List of full-frame cameras and lenses Sony FE (Full Frame E) here

Price

7Artisans 25 / 1.8 costs around $ 70. The easiest way is to buy 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 from the official seller of 7Artisans on Aliexpress by this link.

Results

7Artisans 25 / 1.8 is an inexpensive compact lens that can be used as a standard prime lens for every day. Original autofocus lenses Sony E 24 / 1.8, Fujifilm 23/2WR, Panasonic 25 / 1.7 и Olympus 25 / 1.8 MSC are many times more expensive. The image quality of the 7Artisans 25 / 1.8 has some drawbacks, but in general it should suit many amateur photographers.

10 main advantages

1. low price tag (total about 70 dollars)
2. high aperture with maximum aperture of f / 1.8
3. very convenient focal length for working on cameras with APS-C sensor
4. the lens barrel is completely made of metal, including a metal mount
5. during focusing, the front lens with a thread under the filter does not rotate
6. compact size, there is a depth of field scale and focusing distance
7. twelve aperture blades that always give a rounded opening
8. the aperture ring rotates smoothly, without intermediate values ​​(useful for video)
9. small MDF and good maximum magnification ratio
10. good sharpness in the center of the frame already at F / 1.8, well corrected chromatic aberration

10 main disadvantages

1. focus ring rotates only 90 degrees
2. the aperture value marks do not correspond to the actual values ​​(there is no required dependence exposure from the selected steps)
3. lag of the focusing ring in the focus position at infinity
4. no CPU pins to form the correct EXIF
5. rare thread for 46 mm filter
6. a threaded (non-bayonet) hood should be used
7. there is no lens profile for popular RAW converters, the lens is not 'hardwired' into modern cameras
8. in the backlight, you can easily get the corresponding artifacts
9. strong vignetting at F / 1.8
10. very poor resolution in the far corners of the frame

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.