Review of 7artisans 7.5mm F / 2.8 Fish-Eye (Mod 2019)

According provided by 7artisans 7.5mm f / 2.8 Fish-Eye lens huge thanks Vitaly Piligrim (Instagram).

Navigation

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

Please note that the 7artisans 7.5mm f / 2.8 Fish-Eye is available in different mounts. This review shows the 7artisans 7.5mm f / 2.8 Fish-Eye version for mirrorless cameras Sony E with APS-C sensor (for cropped cameras). At the same time, 7artisans 7.5mm f / 2.8 Fish-Eye is also available with mounts Fujifilm x, Canon EF-M и Micro 4 / 3... Also note that the 7artisans 7.5mm f / 2.8 Fish-Eye was produced in two sub-versions. Differences between subversions are described in the corresponding section of the review.

In this review, the 7artisans 7.5mm F / 2.8 Fish-Eye will be abbreviated as 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye.

In short

7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye is a modern manual fisheye (i.e. fisheye) for cropped mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor or less. A very popular model, one of the best selling lenses from 7Artisans. Fishye gives a distinctive and easily recognizable image.

7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye is interesting for its low price, compact size, full metal body and sharp picture in the center of the frame already at F / 2.8.

Of the shortcomings, first of all, very strong ones can be distinguished. chromatic aberrationhowever, the vast majority of similar lenses suffer from similar ones.

History

7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye Lens was introduced August 19 2017 years and is one of the first lenses from 7Artisans. Lenses were presented in the same year 25/1.8, 35/2 и 50/1.1.

On April 9, 2019, 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye was updated to the second sub-version.

February 26, 2021 was presented brand new version of the lens with a different optical design.

The difference between the first and second sub-version (modification) of 7artisans 7.5mm F / 2.8 Fish-Eye 2017 and 2019

1. the first sub-version had a black bayonet, the second - a light metal one. The second sub-version bayonet is made of aircraft-grade aluminum
2. the first version uses a removable hood. The hood for the second sub-version is fixed, non-removable
3. the first sub-version used 11 aperture blades, the second only seven.
4. subversions have slightly different body designs (primarily due to different hoods)
5. second sub-version 2 years newer

It's important: the optical schemes of the subversions are the same.

It's important: in 2021 was presented brand new version of the lens with a different optical design.

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 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 Specifications 7artisans 7.5mm f / 2.8 Fish-Eye

Review Instance Name	Near front lens: '7artisans 7.5mm f / 2.8 Fish-Eye' ('a'rtisans written with small) On body: 7.5mm 1: 2.8 FISH-EYE 'E-Mount' bayonet side
Basic properties	FISH-EYE - fisheye lens with uncorrected distortion and wide viewing angle 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 Built-in metal hood
Front Filter Diameter	do not support
Focal length	7.5 mm EGF for Sony E cameras, Fujifilm x with APS-C sensor is 11.25 mm EGF for cameras Canon EF-M with APS-C sensor is 12 mm EGF for system cameras Micro 4 / 3 is 15 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	7 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark focus distance scale in meters and feet aperture scale
Diaphragm	f / 2.8 to f / 22, controlled by aperture control ring. There are labels for F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 22 (no value for F / 16). The ring rotates without clicks, smoothly. Any intermediate value can be set.
MDF	0.12 meters, maximum magnification ratio of approximately 1: 9 (measured)
The weight	277 grams (according to official figures) 278 grams (lens only, version for Sony E, measured)
Optical design	11 elements in 10 groups
Lens hood	metal, built-in
Manufacturer country	Made in China (there is no data on the country of manufacture on the lens itself)
Period	Announced on August 19, 2017, updated on April 9, 2019 (subversion from this review). Second version announced on February 26, 2021
Price	Look at the official seller on Aliexpress

Fisheye is a rather unusual lens. During your life, you must definitely try it in business.

Assembly

In general, the lens well assembled... 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye has bayonet mount metal and the lens body itself is completely made of metal, anodized aluminum is used. It is stated that aircraft-grade aluminum is used for the mount.

The weight of the 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye lens itself is just under 300 grams. In the hands, the lens feels like a solid thing.

By itself, the 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye is quite compact, well suited for small Sony cameras with an APS-C sensor.

The front cover is metal, without latches. The lid is just tightly attached on the lens body. On the inside, the lid has fabric seal. The lid does not spontaneously slide, pleasant to handle.

The diaphragm consists of seven blades and forms a circular aperture in the range of F / 2.8-F / 4. At values ​​from F / 5.6 to F / 22, the aperture is shaped like a regular heptagon. 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 / 2.8-F / 22, which is very useful during movie shooting.

It's important: The marks on the aperture ring from F / 4 to F / 22 are not true. When going from F / 2.8 -> 4 -> 5.6 -> 8 -> 11 -> 22 drop exposure does not occur correctly (not in steps). F / 22 is actually about F / 11. At the same time, F / 2.8 corresponds to F / 2.8.

It's important: The control ring is narrow enough to be very close to the camera mount.

Important: the lens does not support classic filters, which are screwed into the thread near the front lens.

The 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye has a fixed, fixed metal hood.

Focusing

The focusing ring is narrow, metal, with fine notched ribs. The ring spins on 90 degrees (about 1/4 of a full turn). Focusing is smooth and pleasant.

During focusing, the front lens rides forward (it is the lens, not the lens trunk, the lens is surrounded by fixed hood blades). During focusing, the entire lens unit moves.

It's important: Despite the fact that with an ultra wide-angle lens, the hyperfocal distance starts from about one meter, at open apertures with the 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye, you need to be careful and focus on focus-picking or by zooming in on a selected area of ​​the image for maximum sharp images. The sharpness of the pictures is very sensitive to the position of the focus ring. Other wide-angle lenses are generally easier to work with. The focusing distance scale may be slightly incorrect. At the lens have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) for fast and accurate infinity aiming under all operating temperatures. On the sample from the review, the hard stop works as expected, without a flight. But if you just slightly touch the focusing ring, the 'infinity' is lost.

There is a scale on the ring with focusing distance in meters and feet.

The closest focusing distance is only 12 centimeters and the maximum zoom ratio is approximately 1: 9.

7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye has a slight 'Focus Breathing' effect. When focusing towards the MDF, the angle of view decreases.

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

Important: focus-picking with 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye on the Sony Alpha 3500 camera works well.

Image quality

The weakest point of 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye is its very poor sharpness in the far corners of the frame and strong chromatic aberration... But in the center of the frame, the lens produces a sharp image already at f / 2.8. The optical disadvantages of the lens are on a par with other similar lenses.

Sharpness

1. at f / 2.8 in the center of the frame, the lens easily copes with the 20MP APS-C EXMOR CMOS sensor Sony a3500, the resolution can be called high
2. there is a strong drop in sharpness in the far corners of the frame
3. at apertures after F / 8, the edges of the frame return to normal

Distortion

1. this is a fisheye, uncorrected strong barrel distortion is the main feature of the lens here

Vignetting

1. vignetting is fixed well
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. strong chromatic aberration
2. the strongest chromatic aberration noticeable around the periphery of the frame (see examples of shots below)
3. chromatic aberration in the corners of the frame are practically not treated with aperture

Rest

1. from bright light sources in some situations, you can get a large amount of glare in the backlight
   
2. the effect of a 14-ray star is quite simple to obtain (example)
3. on heavily covered apertures, the disks of confusion have the shape of a heptagon (example)

Important: at the time of writing this review, there was no 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye 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.

Original JPEG images can be download the archive from this link (37 files, 230 MB). Original RAW ('.ARW') images can be download the archive from this link (15 files, 270 MB). Many examples on 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye can be found on its owner's Instagram.

My experience

As well as 25/1.8 и 35/1.2The 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye is the third best-selling lens from 7Artisans (spring 2021).

Fish-eye is always fun, especially when you can try it at a fairly low price.

Often times, a fisheye is not a lens for which you should find fault with image quality. A sharp center at any aperture value is already very good.

I was very pleased with this baby.

The Sony E APS-C system does not have a fisheye, and therefore it is not a shame to use solutions from third-party manufacturers.

The alternatives for 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye are:

1. 7Artisans 7.5mm 1: 2.8 II (new version 2021, on a different optical scheme)
2. Samyang 8mm 1: 2.8 II (version for mirrorless systems, main competitor)
3. Samyang 8mm 1: 2.8
4. Laowa 4mm 1: 2.8
5. Viltrox 7.5mm 1: 2.8 (most likely a complete copy of 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 of the first sub-version)
6. KamLan 8mm 1: 3
7. Meike 6.5mm 1: 2
8. Brighin Star 7.5mm 1: 2.8
9. ANDOER 7.5mm 1: 2.8
10. PERGEAR 7.5mm 1: 2.8
11. RISESPRAY 7.5mm 1: 2.8
12. Newyi 7.5mm 1: 2.8
13. Lightdow 7.5mm 1: 2.8

The last 5 points are most likely completely identical to each other. Also, many fisheye class 8 / 2.8 and 8 / 3.5 exist for DSLR cameras, which can be easily adapted to work on mirrorless cameras, some of these lenses immediately come with mounts for mirrorless cameras.

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 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye costs around $ 140. The easiest way to buy 7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye from the official seller of 7Artisans on Aliexpress by this link.

Results

7Artisans 7.5 / 2.8 Fish-Eye is a modern fish-eye for mirrorless cropped cameras of various systems. Quite good value for money.

10 main advantages

1. low price tag (only about 140 dollars)
2. the lens barrel is completely made of metal, including a metal bayonet mount and a metal front cap
3. compact sizes
4. the aperture ring rotates smoothly, without intermediate values ​​(useful for video)
5. small MDF
6. hard stop for fast aiming at infinity
7. easy to get a 14-point star effect (important for wide angle lenses)
8. constant updating of the 7Artisans fish line and its improvement (two sub-versions and one new version)
9. the lens is available for most popular cropped systems (in fact, there is no option only for Nikon Z)
10. good sharpness in the center of the frame already at F / 2.8

10 main disadvantages

1. no CPU pins to form the correct EXIF
2. only 7 aperture blades (a declared about 11)
3. difficulty with focusing (described in the 'focusing' section)
4. non-removable lens hood (the first version of 2017 had a removable lens hood, which is very useful for use on full-frame cameras as a circular fisheye)
5. the marks on the aperture ring do not correspond to the real state of affairs (F / 22 actually corresponds to F / 11)
6. the aperture control ring is narrow enough and close to the camera mount
7. there is no lens profile for popular RAW converters, the lens is not 'hardwired' into modern cameras
8. very poor resolution in the corners of the frame
9. strong chromatic aberration
10. noticeable glare in the backlight is possible

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.