7Artisans Launches $129 27mm f/2.8 Prime for Sony APS-C Cameras
7Artisans has announced a 27mm f/2.8 STM autofocus lens for APS-C Sony E-mount cameras, like the a6400, a6700, and vlog-centric ZV-E10. 7Artisans only just recently began making autofocus-equipped lenses.
The 27mm focal length delivers a standard lens-style field of view similar to a 40mm lens on a full-frame camera, meaning the new AF 27mm f/2.8 should be well-suited to portrait, street, and travel photography. It should work okay for some landscape scenes, although not necessarily ones with expansive vistas.
Given its focal length and aperture combination, the prime lens is reasonably compact and lightweight. It is 48mm (1.9 inches) long and weighs approximately 172 grams (6.1 ounces), including its front and rear lens caps. The lens accepts 52mm filters.
The lens includes six elements arranged across five groups, and its aperture diaphragm has only six blades — a small number for a modern lens. In sample images with out-of-focus specular highlights, bokeh edges look reasonably smooth, although there is noticeable cat’s eye vignetting occurring.
The autofocus-equipped lens uses an STM motor to focus, and 7Artisans says that the lens is compatible with the eye-tracking and face-detection features available in modern Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras. The lens can focus as closely as 0.3 meters (11.8 inches), which should work well enough for general photography but isn’t approaching macro territory.
When a Chinese lens appears on the market, there are often questions concerning image quality. However, in PetaPixel‘s experience, 7Artisans lenses have impressed in terms of build quality, optical performance, and especially, value. The company’s 50mm f/1.1 prime proved to be quite good; at a much lower price than a Noctilux. The 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro II is also an impressive lens at a very attractive price.
Priced at just $129 — or $119 with the discount code “7ARTISANSAF” until May 25, 2024 — the new 27mm f/1.8 APS-C lens definitely delivers on the “value” promise. Time will tell if it will score high marks elsewhere, but the price is right.
The 7Artisans 27mm f/2.8 STM APS-C lens competes against offerings like the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN ($289) and Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 ($545). If photographers don’t require autofocus capabilities, there are other choices like the TTArtisan 25mm f/2 ($55), Opteka 28mm f/2.8 ($99), and SLR Magic 28mm f/2.8 ($129).
Image credits: 7Artisans
