7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 Sony E-Mount Tech Specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 |
| Manufacturer | 7Artisans |
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Weight | 430 grams |
| Build Quality | Metallic body |
| Mount Type | Sony E-mount |
| Filter Thread Size | 62 mm |
| Close Focusing Distance | 80 cm |
| Price | $299 |
7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 Product Images
The 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 is an exciting addition to the world of full-frame lenses designed for Sony E-mount cameras. Part of 7Artisans’ new line of autofocus lenses, this offering promises high-quality optics at an affordable price. In this article, we dive deep into its build, autofocus performance, image quality, and more.
Build and Handling
The 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 features a well-thought-out design, making it a versatile option for both travel and everyday use. Weighing just over 430 grams, this lens is relatively compact, which is advantageous for photographers on the go. The build quality is commendable with a metallic body that offers a solid feel. Additionally, the metallic lens mount enhances durability. For future firmware updates, a USB-C port is included, ensuring the lens remains up-to-date.
Practicality is further supported by an auto/manual focus switch and a smoothly turning aperture ring without clicks. The focus ring also turns effortlessly, although the focus motor’s response time is slightly slow. One notable downside is the apparent focus breathing, which can be disconcerting for video creators at this focal length.
Autofocus Performance
In terms of autofocus performance, the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 excels in smoothness and precision. The autofocus motor operates silently, a feature much appreciated in settings where noise is undesirable. However, the speed leaves something to be desired as it tends to be on the slower side in both single-shot and continuous autofocus modes. Despite this, the lens, with its 62 mm filter thread size, comes equipped with a basic plastic hood, preventing glare and protecting the front element.
Image Quality
Image Credit: 7Artisans
When it comes to image quality, the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 offers decent performance. While its close focusing distance of 80 cm at f/1.8 is slightly closer than average, the resultant image quality is relatively soft at this aperture. However, sharpness improves remarkably when the lens is stopped down to around f/4.
Brightness handling is another area where the lens performs admirably, although it does exhibit glare when a bright light source is near the edge of the frame. Thankfully, the supplied hood helps mitigate this issue. The lens achieves beautifully soft out-of-focus backgrounds, often referred to as bokeh, although there is some noticeable cat-eye shape at the edges of the frame when using the maximum aperture.
Shooting at f/1.8 may also reveal longitudinal chromatic aberration, but this diminishes significantly at f/2.8 and disappears by f/4. These characteristics make the lens a practical choice for those who can work around its limitations.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Price: At $299, the lens is very affordable for an autofocus 85mm f/1.8 full-frame lens.
- Build Quality: The metallic body and solid construction enhance durability.
- Autofocus: The motor operates smoothly, silently, and accurately.
- Bokeh: Produces beautifully soft out-of-focus backgrounds.
Cons
- Softness in Corners: The lens shows softness in image corners on full-frame cameras, an issue when shooting flat subjects.
- Focus Breathing: Noticeable focus breathing can be troublesome for video makers.
- Glare: Can suffer from glare when bright light sources are near the image frame’s edge.
Conclusion
The 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 full-frame lens stands out as an affordable, high-quality option for Sony E-mount camera users. It delivers impressive build quality, smooth autofocus, and lovely bokeh effects. Despite its limitations, such as corner softness and focus breathing, this lens presents excellent value for the price. For photographers who don’t require flawless corner image quality and can navigate around its few issues, it is certainly a worthwhile investment.
Source: 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 Product Page
What Others Say About the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 Sony E-Mount
Build Quality
The 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 is praised for its solid build quality, particularly the metallic build and the smooth operation of its focus and aperture rings.
“The metallic build quality is a cut above feeling lovely and solid.”
– YouTube Review
This aspect is highlighted as a significant improvement over cheaper plastic lenses, making it a good value for the price.
Image Quality
The lens is noted for its sharpness across the frame, even at its widest aperture of f/1.8.
“This is a sharp lens all across the frame even at F1.8.”
– Dustin Abbott’s Review
However, it does exhibit some softness in the image corners on full-frame cameras, which can be a drawback for certain types of photography.
Autofocus Performance
The autofocus motor is described as smooth, silent, and accurate, though it is noted to be a bit slow.
“The lens’s autofocus motor works smoothly, silently, and accurately.”
– YouTube Review
For photographers who need fast and reliable autofocus, this lens may not be the best option, but it is suitable for most general use.
Price and Value
The 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 is considered a very affordable lens, priced at $299, which is a significant advantage over many other lenses in its class.
“It’s a very reasonably priced at $299 USD.”
– Dustin Abbott’s Review
Given its performance and build quality, many reviewers consider it a great value for the price.
Bokeh and Chromatic Aberration
The lens produces beautifully soft out-of-focus backgrounds, which is a key feature for portrait photography.
“The out-of-focus backgrounds are beautifully soft in just about every situation.”
– YouTube Review
It also exhibits minimal longitudinal chromatic aberration, which is a significant advantage over many other lenses in this price range.
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