7artisans 35mm - better than vintage lenses?

Coyote23 · Joined: 24 Feb 2023 Posts: 21

Hi there!
So I have about 150$ to put down for a fast 35mm manual lens.
I currently use the Pentax K 35/3.5 as a daily, but need something faster because I usually shoot PM.

Now, at 150$ I can get something like an SMC 35MM F2 or a Nikkor AIS 35MM F2... But I can also get a 7Artisans 35mm 1.2 or 1.4.

1. Would you go Vintage or get the 7artisans?
2. Which 7artisans? Some people said that the cheaper 1.4 is actually a better corrected lens with less flaws and nice character. Would you say that's the case? Or is the 1.2 still worth it just for the novelty.
3. Is the build as solid as a vintage Pentax, with a nice smooth focuser and a tight aperture ring? Or is it all loosy loosy like the new Fujifilm lenses that rattle all over the place and have loose rings (and no, I do not consider Fuji XF lenses as well built at all next to my Nikkors for example...just to announce my build standards Smile

)

Thanks for any tip!

kypfer · Joined: 27 Sep 2017 Posts: 523 Location: Jersey C.I.

Ever since the '80's my "fast" 35mm has been my EBC Fujinon f/1.9 in Fujica 42-screw â€¦ it's good enough that I've not considered the need to even check out any alternatives Wink

As for prices in today's market â€¦ get lucky Wink

Oldhand · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2023 10:48 pm Post subject:

I have the 7Artisans 35mm f1.2 for my little Fuji X-E2s
It is very good.
I would not say that it is better than your alternatives, but it is much more compact, does not need an adapter and produces very pleasing results.
The quality of mine is excellent - smooth in operation and with tight tolerances.
The aperture is without detents - ie clickless - some videographers like this.
It is often on my camera when I want to carry it in a pocket or in my day bag.
Here are some images from it
Tom

#1

#2

#3

#4

Oldhand · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2023 11:32 pm Post subject:

As a size comparison, here is the little 7Artisans beside the Super Multi Coated Takumar 35mm f2 with its adapter.
There is a big difference
Tom

#1

Alun Thomas · Joined: 20 Aug 2018 Posts: 652 Location: New Zealand

I have the first version of the 7 Artisans 35/1.2, in many respects it takes good photos, but there are shortcomings. With bright spots in dark photos, fringing stands out, and sometimes the glow is also very uncontrolled.

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4744 Location: Cheshire, England

The 7 artisans lenses are for crop sensor.

If that is good with you. I'd say get one. I have a few 7artisan lenses and they are more contrasty and seem sharper than the old equivalents. I use full frame. I find that the 35 f2 is s little soft on corners until f4 but overall its a nice punchy lens.

Dejan · Joined: 05 Jan 2021 Posts: 148 Location: Belgrade, Serbia

It's relative what "better" is of course. Even when we speak strictly technically, resolution, aberrations and so on, many people just zoom in in the center and make their judgement. Most, almost all of 7Artisans lenses don't perform too well compared to better vintage lenses in terms of corner-to-corner resolution eand so on (but there are a few that do very well, they really make different lenses with different characteristics). Coating can be better, but many 7Artisans flare as much as Soviet lenses when challenged. Good thing is that they often offer vintage lens charm as well (sonnar or some other old-school rendering). Quality check isn't perfect as well. But for the money, they can really offer much. And they do render well on Fujis it seems, offering less clinical look compared to their native glass.

eggplant · Joined: 27 May 2020 Posts: 517

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7555 Location: Hong Kong

I tried 7artisans 35/1.4 and both 35/2.0 in M mount. I would say the first version of 35/2.0 M mount is the most interesting one I found. Build quality is excellent. Optically it is pretty sharp with nice bokeh. The color of the 35/2.0 M Wen is better than the first version. The 7artisans 34/1.4 is a decent lens too but I found it don't perform well at night. The 35/1.2 for APS-C camera should be a good choice for its price.

For vintage lens, my choice will be the Minolta 35/1.8 MD. It has decent sharpness at WO. Good color and relatively small compare to other Japaneses lenses made in the same era.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1226

For me is simple, answer is #1. Used to shoot perfect lenses and since I've switched , I don't feel like going backwards. It's up to each one of us I guess. It's true that most of the times I haven't paid the actual value of the lenses , but if you're patient, you might grab some good deal. If you need something right away, you don't have that option though.

alex_d · Joined: 19 Jan 2019 Posts: 378

the fastest 35mm lens is konica 40/1.8.

& for 3x less money than 7artisans you get even 5mm more.
cant beat that deal.

if you are ready to spend 150$ on a modern lens than I would suggest samyang 35 1.2.
bit more $ but outstanding (modern) image.
going out from that you are on a Fuji