Testing the 7Artisans 35mm L-Mount lens
I tested the 7Artisans 35mm f1.8 L-Mount lens on LUMIX Full Frame cameras. I share my initial thoughts on its capabilities. This lens review includes samples and discusses the quality of images produced.
Join me as I explore how this wide angle lens performs in various photography scenarios.
With all these third parties making new lenses, we are spoiled for choice, at least for the shorter focal lengths.
I’m using fixed lenses a lot the past few months. And that’s kind of a new thing for me.
But fixed lenses make you think and see differently than a zoom. I find I pay more attention to composition and I need to move my body to get the crop I want. It makes me more present somehow.
LUMIX S1M2 with 7Artisans L 35mm lens. f/1.8 at 1/60s, ISO 1600
LUMIX S1M2 with 7Artisans L 35mm lens. f/6 at 1/2500s, ISO 640
LUMIX S1M2 with 7Artisans L 35mm lens. f/8 at 1/60s, ISO 1250
LUMIX S1M2 with 7Artisans L 35mm lens. f/2.8 at 1/3200s, ISO 125
LUMIX S1M2 with 7Artisans L 35mm lens. f/2 at 1/2000s, ISO 125
Specs of the 7Artisans 35mm AF lens
F1.8 to f/16 aperture - with a step-less aperture ring
Close focus is 0.4m or 1.3 feet
AF-MF switch on the lens
Filter size 62mm
All metal body and very solid construction which makes it a bit heavy at 426 grams - that’s close to 1 pound.
Firmware update with USB-C right into the lens, instead of the back cap. And I feel this is safer, in case you misplace the lens cap.
You need a windows computer to update the firmware. It’s not MAC compatible. Which is the same issue I had with the TTArtisan 40mm lens.
There is a customizable button on the side of the lens. I have mine set to AF-ON, but your preference may be different.
Tests
Focus speed - clips
Compare sharpness to the Tart 40mm
Compare size etc to 18-40mm LUMIX and TTArtisan 40mm
Sharpness: Overall good, but at wider apertures you can notice some loss of sharpness along the edges
But that completely disappears when you stop down a bit.
My affiliate links to this lens
LUMIX S1M2 with 7Artisans L 35mm lens. f/2.8 at 1/3200s, ISO 200
Impressions
Overall a very nice lens
Colours really pop
Good separation from the background with shallow depth of field
Nice dreamy bokeh
Chromatic aberrations - couldn’t see anything that jumped out at me
Fast AF focus for both photos and videos
Focus ring is nice and smooth with just the right amount of resistance when turning. Which is great for video.
However the f-stop ring is a bit stiff, so you need to be careful if you’re changing f-stops on the fly when shooting video.
I’ve been using it for my in studio talking head videos with the LUMIX S9. It’s a good focal length for my space. Not too “in your face” as an action camera. And I can fit all my gear into my small space.
But if you are carrying it around - say on a hike or a photo walk, I think it’s more suited to a larger camera body. On the LUMIX S9, its a bit front heavy, especially without a grip. But the lens is large enough to hold onto, if you are using it with the S9.
BTS of my setup for shooting this video