Rapid and affordably priced 35mm Auto Focus lens impresses - potentially top-tier budget option for full-frame Sony and Nikon photographers
Two new players, 7Artisans and Brightin Star, are shaking up the full-frame mirrorless lens market with their budget-friendly 35mm f/1.8 AF lenses. Priced at around $249, these lenses offer competitive optical performance and solid build quality, challenging established third-party lenses that often retail between $799 and $899 for similar focal lengths and apertures.
Optical Performance
Both 7Artisans and Brightin Star lenses boast good sharpness. The 7Artisans lens includes advanced optical elements such as two high-precision aspherical lenses, two Hoya high refractive index lenses, and one low-dispersion glass element. This design supports resolutions up to 62 megapixels. Brightin Star lenses, including the newly introduced 35mm f/1.8, also show decent sharpness and colour rendition.
However, established lenses from Sigma (e.g., Sigma Art series) and Nikon (e.g., Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S) typically offer superior overall resolution, better autofocus reliability, and reduced optical aberrations due to more mature optical designs and coatings.
Build Quality
The 7Artisans and Brightin Star 35mm f/1.8 lenses are noted for their solid, compact builds that balance weight (around 420-430g) and size, making them practical for daily use. Brightin Star lenses are frequently praised for good ergonomics and mechanical quality, including smooth aperture rings and robust construction, comparable to some native lenses in feel.
In comparison, Sigma and Nikon lenses generally offer premium build quality with weather sealing and more durable materials, supporting more professional use over the long term.
Real-World Usability
Both 7Artisans and Brightin Star lenses feature autofocus compatible with Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, making them usable in everyday shooting from street to travel photography. However, the autofocus in these budget lenses may not match the speed and precision of native Nikon or Sigma autofocus systems, especially in challenging lighting or fast-action shooting scenarios.
Established third-party lenses like Sigma Art or Nikon Z lenses usually have more consistent autofocus performance, reduced autofocus hunting, and better integration with camera features like eye autofocus and tracking.
Summary Table
| Aspect | 7Artisans & Brightin Star 35mm f/1.8 AF | Sigma & Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF (Established) | |---------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | Price | ~ $249 (budget-friendly) | $799–$899 (premium pricing) | | Optical Quality | Good sharpness, decent aberration control, designed for up to 62MP sensors | Excellent sharpness, low aberrations, optimized coatings | | Build Quality | Solid, compact, decent ergonomics | Premium materials, weather sealed, rugged | | Autofocus | Functional, but less refined | Fast, precise, better tracking | | Usability | Suitable for street, portraits, travel; good value for budget shooters | Professional use, reliable in demanding environments |
In conclusion, 7Artisans and Brightin Star lenses provide impressive optical and build quality for their low price, suitable for enthusiasts and budget-conscious full-frame mirrorless users. However, for professional use and maximum optical and autofocus performance, Sigma and Nikon established full-frame primes remain superior.
The lenses are designed for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras, with Brightin Star also introducing one for Nikon Z-mount.
- The optical performance of both 7Artisans and Brightin Star lenses is good, with the 7Artisans lens featuring advanced elements for resolutions up to 62 megapixels.
- Brightin Star lenses also display decent sharpness and color rendition, but established lenses from Sigma and Nikon offer superior overall resolution and better autofocus reliability.
- The 7Artisans and Brightin Star 35mm f/1.8 lenses have solid, compact builds that make them practical for daily use.
- Brightin Star lenses are praised for good ergonomics and mechanical quality, comparable to some native lenses in feel.
- Sigma and Nikon lenses offer premium build quality, featuring weather sealing and more durable materials for professional use.
- Both 7Artisans and Brightin Star lenses are autofocus compatible with Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, suitable for street to travel photography.
- However, the autofocus in these budget lenses may not match the speed and precision of native Nikon or Sigma autofocus systems in challenging lighting or fast-action shooting scenarios.
- Established third-party lenses like Sigma Art or Nikon Z lenses usually have more consistent autofocus performance, reduced autofocus hunting, and better integration with camera features.
- In summary, 7Artisans and Brightin Star lenses offer impressive quality for their low price, making them suitable for budget-conscious full-frame mirrorless users.
- For professional use and maximum performance, Sigma and Nikon established full-frame primes remain superior, frequently used in sports, technology, lifestyle, and portrait photography, as well as video and travel applications. They are designed for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras, with Brightin Star also introducing one for Nikon Z-mount.
