RADOJUVA

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. Video review
13. Results
14. User Comments
15. Add your review or question on the lens

In this review, I will abbreviate the 7Artisans II 35mm 1: 1.2 lens 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II.

Please note that the 7Artisans 35/1.2 II lens is available with different mounts. This review shows the version of 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II for mirrorless cameras Sony E with APS-C sensor. At the same time, 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II is also available with mounts Nikon Z, Fujifilm x, Canon EF-M и Micro 4 / 3 (possibly with Canon RF, but this is not certain).

In short

7Artisans 35/1.2 II is a modern manual (manual focus only) extremely fast prime lens for mirrorless cameras with an APS-C or Micro 4/3 sensor.

7Artisans 35/1.2 II is an upgrade of an older model 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2. The second version received a completely different optical design and a completely different body. The first and second versions are very different from each other.

7Artisans 35/1.2 II interesting low cost, very high-quality assembly, a large number of aperture blades and a maximum aperture ratio of 1: 1.2.

Among the shortcomings are the standard optical problems inherent in such inexpensive high-aperture optics, first of all, noticeable chromatic and spherical aberrations at F / 1.2. The F / 1.2 value gives significantly better sharpness than the version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2, but still the value of F / 1.2 is rather weak here (in terms of resolution).

Aperture F / 1.2 almost four steps wider aperture F / 4.5, which is used in some 'dark' standard lenses. Each step gives a twofold increase in aperture ratio: 1 -> 1.4 -> 2 -> 2.8 -> 4 -> 5.6. In numerical terms, this means that 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II should be 14 times lighterthan stock lens Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS, which at 35mm focal length uses a maximum aperture ratio of just 1:4.5. The calculation in the difference in relative aperture (count aperture) is simple: (4.5 * 4.5) / (1.2 * 1.2) = 14. But not everything is so smooth, real aperture lens, expressed in T-stops, is closer to T/1.6.

7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II is a budget alternative for autofocus cropped lenses for mirrorless cameras:

1. Sony 35 / 1.8 OSS (for mount Sony E)
2. Canon 32 / 1.4 STM (for mount Canon EF-M)
3. Zeiss 32/1.8 Toit (Planar) (for mounts Sony E и Fujifilm x)
4. Sigma 30 / 1.4 DC DN Contemporary (for bayonet Sony E и Micro 4 / 3)
5. felttrox 33 / 1.4 STM (for bayonets Sony E, Fujifilm x, Canon EF-M и Nikon Z)
6. fujinon 35 / 1.4 XF R (for mount Fujifilm x)
7. fujinon 35/2 XF R WR (for mount Fujifilm x)
8. fujinon 35/2 XC (for mount Fujifilm x)
9. tokina 33 / 1.4 atx-m (for bayonets Sony E и Fujifilm x)

History

7Artisans has several extremely fast lenses for mirrorless cameras with an APS-C (or smaller) sensor with a focal length of 35mm:

• 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2, announced October 10 2018
• 7Artisans 35mm 1: 0.95, announced October 15 2020 (from this review)
• 7Artisans II 35mm 1: 1.2, announced October 30 2020
• 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.4, announced August 4 2021
• 7Artisans 35mm T1.05, announced November 24, 2021, film version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 0.95
  

All 7Artisans lenses:

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 27 mm F / 2.8 AF (announcement) [IS]
12. 7Artisans 35 mm F/0.95 (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, RF, M4 / 3]
13. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.2 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, black / silver]
14. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.2 II (overview) [Z, EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, other optical design]
15. 7Artisans 35 mm F/1.4 (overview) [Z, EF-M, E, X, RF, M4/3, black/silver]
16. 7Artisans 50 mm F/1.8 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, versions with 10 and 12 petals]
17. 7Artisans 50 mm F/0.95 (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, RF, M4 / 3]
18. 7Artisans 50 mm F / 1.4 Tilt-Shift (announcement) [E, X, M4/3]
19. 7Artisans 55 mm F/1.4 (overview) [EF-M, E, X, M4 / 3, Leica L, black/silver]
20. 7Artisans 55 mm F / 1.4 II (announcement) [EF-M, E, X, Z, M4 / 3]
21. 7Artisans 60 mm F/2.8 Macro (overview) [EF-M, Z, E, X, RF, M4 / 3]
22. 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/2 (overview) [E, X, black / silver]
9. 7Artisans 35 mm F/2 (overview) [Leica M only, different body design]
10. 7Artisans 35 mm F/2 MARK II (announcement) [Leica M only, different body design]
11. 7Artisans 35 mm F/5.6wen (overview) [Leica M + E, Z, L, RF, black, black & gold, silver & black, silver & gold]
12. 7Artisans 50 mm F/1.05 APO (overview) [RF, Z, E, L]
13. 7Artisans 50 mm F/1.1 (overview) [Leica M only, black / silver + 'Limited Gold'+'RED DRAGON SPECIAL EDITION']
14. 7Artisans 50 mm F / 1.8 AF STM FE (announcement) [E/FE, Z]
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 technical characteristics of 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2

Review Instance Name	Body: 7Artisans 35/1.2 Ø46 7020607. 'E-Mount' side. On the box: 7Artisans 35mm F1.2 II
Basic properties	The lens uses a Sony E mount and is suitable for Sony mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor II - the second version of the lens (marking is on the box) Manual focus only Metal mount, metal case, metal front cover Multi-Enlightened Optics
Front Filter Diameter	46 mm
Focal length	35 mm EGF for cameras Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm with APS-C sensor is 52.5 mm EGF for cameras Canon EOS M is 56 mm EGF for system cameras Micro 4/3 is 70 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 (Canon RF, but it is not exactly)
Number of aperture blades	10 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark focusing distance scale in meters and feet. Meters: 3, 1.5, 1, 0.8, 0.5, 0.35, 0.28 and infinity mark depth of field scale for f / 4, 8, 16, 22 aperture scale on aperture ring
Diaphragm	from F / 1.2 to F / 22, controlled using the aperture control ring. There are marks for F / 1.2, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 16, 22. The ring rotates with clicks.
MDF	0.28 meters, maximum magnification ratio approx. 1:5
The weight	218 grams (according to the official site) 221 grams (lens only, version for Sony E, measured)
Optical design	6 elements in 5 groups The optical design is clickable to enlarge. Conventional double Gauss lens design (planar)
Lens hood	Must be screwed into the front filter thread; marking unknown
Manufacturer country	Made in China (there is no data on the country of manufacture on the lens itself)
Period	From October 30, 2020. In August 2021, updated with the version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.4
Price	View on Aliexpress at an authorized 7Artisans dealer

F / 1.2 is only 1/3 step lighter than the more common F / 1.4 value of many other lenses, for example, 7Artisans 55 / 1.4 or 7Artisans 35 / 1.4. Interestingly, Sony does not produce lenses with a bayonet mount. Sony E (for cameras with APS-C sensor), which would have an aperture of F / 1.4.

The light transmission of the lens is expressed 'T' steps. It is this value that is considered to be the 'real' indicator of lens aperture. Typically, T-stops (T-stops) are linked to aperture stops (F-stops). Quality lenses have pretty close numbers around 'T' and 'F'. For example, a high-quality lens with a maximum aperture ratio of 1:1.4 (aperture number F/1.4) has a light transmission of T/1.5-T/1.6. Lenses with F / 2.0 at the level of T / 2.1-T / 2.2, F / 2.8 at the level of F / 2.9-F / 3.0 and so on and so forth.

The light transmission of 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II at F / 1.2 is in the area T / 1.6. Similar aperture typical for lenses with a relative aperture in the region of 1:1.4. It is a pity that there is no real 1:1.2 here.

I compared 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II with a lens Sigma 30mm 1: 1.4 DC DN C (Contemporary). 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II at F / 1.2 gives exactly the same exposure as Sigma 30mm 1: 1.4 DC DN C (Contemporary) at F / 1.4. exposure matches both the histogram and the metering system exposure all else being equal.

Anyone who is looking for a really fast lens for mirrorless cropped cameras, I advise you to look at 7Artisans 50mm F/0.95.

Assembly

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 spontaneously, is pleasant to use, but it can still be lost if the lens is not handled carefully.

In general, the lens is assembled well. 7Artisans 35/1.2 II has bayonet mount metal and the lens case itself is completely made of metal, anodized aluminum is used.

The weight of the 7Artisans 35/1.2 II lens itself is just over 200 grams. In the hands of the lens feels like a solid and pleasant thing. The aperture control ring is noticeably thicker than the focus ring.

The filters are 46mm in diameter, which is surprisingly small for an F/1.2 lens.

The marks on the lens are engraved and filled with paint.

The design of the 7Artisans 35/1.2 II is nice and the lens itself is compact, perfect for small Sony cameras with an APS-C sensor.

The diaphragm consists of ten blades and forms a hole in the shape of a regular star decagon, while in the photographs in the blur zone, rather round discs of blur are obtained at any aperture value (a bit like 'ninja stars'). The diaphragm can only be controlled manually using a special ring. The aperture ring rotates with clicks. The aperture control ring is very convenient.

Focusing

The focus ring is narrow, metal, ribbed. The ring rotates on 135 degrees (3/8 of a full turn). Focusing is smooth and enjoyable.

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 28 centimeters, and the maximum zoom ratio is small, approximately 1:6.

7Artisans 35/1.2 II has a slight 'Focus Breathing' effect (viewing angle changes while focusing). During focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle decreases.

Focus Shift (focus shift, changing focus distance due to iris)

Have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) for fast and accurate focusing in all temperature conditions

Important: focus picking with 7Artisans 35/1.2 II and Sony a3500 и Sony NEX-6 on F / 1.2 it works fine.

Image quality

7Artisans 35/1.2 II is rather weak on open apertures. In general, this is an ordinary high-aperture 'planar' with all the basic properties that follow from here.

Sharpness

1. at F / 1.2 resolution is low
2. the situation changes significantly with aperture down to F / 2.0, where the lens shows good sharpness in the center of the frame
3. there is a noticeable drop in sharpness towards the edges and corners of the frame
4. resolution at the edges of the frame returns to normal on covered apertures after F / 4
5. image corners suffer more at infinity than at medium focusing distances

Distortion

1. barrel-shaped distortion
2. the distortion is uneven, in the region of the corners the image is distorted more strongly

Vignetting

1. noticeable vignetting observed most strongly at f / 1.2
2. vignetting decreases with focus towards MDF. Most noticeable when focusing on infinity
3. vignetting almost disappears at f / 2
4. vignetting easily fixable in the editor

Aberration

1. few spherical aberrations at f / 1.2
2. spherical aberrations are well reduced by aperture
3. present and tangible chromatic aberration

Rest

1. from bright light sources you can get a lot of glare, while they can be of enormous size (examples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
2. the character of the bokeh is not the same as the previous version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2

Important: at the time of writing this review, there was no 7Artisans 35/1.2 II 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 a3500 (Sony Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor at 20 MP). All photos are JPEG taken in camera. Some photos suffered due to the effect bokeh degradation at fast shutter speeds and wide apertures during EFCS (Y Sony a3500 EFCS cannot be turned off).

Original JPEG ('.jpg) images can be download / watch this link (100+ files, GOOGLE DRIVE). RAW (Sony '.ARW') original photos can be download / watch this link (40+ files, GOOGLE DRIVE). Sony a3500 I can’t shoot exclusively in RAW format, but only in RAW + JPEG or JPEG, because most of the pictures I took were made in JPEG.

My experience

7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II is optically better version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2. However, the previous version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2 had its own unique 'Sonnar character', which is completely lost in the 'planar-like' 7Artisans 35/1.2 II. For extreme creativity at f / 1.2, I still recommend the old version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2. Also, it's a pity that the 'real aperture' of 7Artisans 35/1.2 II is closer to F/1.4 (around T/1.6)

As a balanced solution, I recommend 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.4, which in general will be better than 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II due to the more advanced optical design 8/5 (versus 6/5 for 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II).

The most interesting and high-quality option is 7Artisans 35mm 1: 0.95, which is already good at F / 0.95, but you need to remember that its aperture value is closer to T / 1.4 (about the same as a high-quality lens with F / 1.2).

But if you need a real big aperture, then a find lens with a 'real' F / 0.95 is 7Artisans 50 mm F / 0.95. Also not bad TTArtisan 50 / 1.2 (with 'real' F/1.2).

Frankly, 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II is not the best solution, most likely that is why it was replaced / supplemented with a more balanced 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.4.

I also really like the option from TTArtisan - TTArtisan 35 / 1.4.

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 [fifth series on AliExpress.com]
• NEX-6, NEX-7
• a3000, a3500
• a5000, a5100
• a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, a6700 [6000 series on Ali]
• ZV-E10
• FX30
• QX1
• Hasselblad lunar

All Sony E lenses for APS-C

Fix Lenses:

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

Zoom Lenses:

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

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 / 1.4 | 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 50 / 1.8
• TTArtisan: TTArtisan 27 / 2.8 | TTArtisan 35 / 1.8 | TTArtisan 56 / 1.8
• Brightin star: Brightin Star 50 / 1.4
• Meike: 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 35/1.2 II costs around $150. The easiest way buy 7Artisans 35/1.2 II at Aliexpress.comfor example official seller 7Artisans Store here at this link.

Results

The 7Artisans 35 / 1.2 II is an interesting lens, but it has its strong drawbacks. It can serve as a regular manual lens for every day for owners of cropped mirrorless cameras. Optically noticeably better than its previous version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2, but generally inferior to the more 'simple' and balanced version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.4.

Review on Youtube is here.

10 main advantages

1. low cost (only about 150 dollars)
2. maximum aperture F / 1.2 (but not everything is so rosy)
3. convenient focal length for working with cameras with APS-C sensor
4. good build quality: the lens body is completely made of metal, including a metal mount
5. smooth focusing ring
6. having a hard stop
7. small MDF (28 cm, which is good for a 35 mm focal length)
8. ten aperture blades that always give a fairly rounded opening
9. good sharpness in the center of the frame after f / 2 and excellent on more covered apertures
10. convenient aperture control ring, click ring (which is convenient for photographers)

10 main disadvantages

1. light transmission is at the level of F / 1.6, which is more typical for lenses with F / 1.4 (F / 1.2 aperture is 'not real' here)
2. the previous version was cheaper
3. the previous version had a smooth aperture adjustment (no clicks, useful for video shooting)
4. no CPU pins to form the correct EXIF
5. rare thread for 46 mm filter
6. old version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2 weighed less
7. there is no lens profile for popular RAW converters, the lens is not 'hardwired' into modern cameras
8. old version 7Artisans 35mm 1: 1.2 had a more interesting 'pattern' due to the 'sonar-like' optical design
9. in back or side light, you can easily get a large number of artifacts
10. poor resolution at F / 1.2

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram