Assessment: 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 E

Introduction

I’ve already reviewed lots of the tremendous quick 50mm lenses from China, e.g. the TTArtisan 50mm 0.95, a number of 50mm 0.95 from Zhong Yi and simply these days the SYoptic 50mm 1.1. What was lacking to date was this 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 with its moderately unorthodox most aperture of f/1.05. What additionally units it other than the others: it has truly been designed for the Sony E-mount cameras, not for M-mount cameras. So allow us to discover out what this lens has in retailer for us.

Pattern Photos

Many of the pattern pictures on this evaluate might be present in full decision right here.

Disclosure

The 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 E was kindly offered freed from cost by 7Artisans by way of their German distributor B.I.G. Picture for reviewing function for a number of weeks.

Specs

The 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 is out there for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z and L-mount. I’m reviewing the E-mount model right here which has the next specs:

• • Diameter: 65 mm
  • Discipline of view: 46° (diagonally)
  • Size: 81 mm
  • Weight: 590g
  • Filter Diameter: 58 mm
  • Variety of Aperture Blades: 13 (rounded)
  • Components/Teams: 10/7
    
  • Shut Focusing Distance: 0.57 m
  • Most Magnification: 1:8.0
  • Mount: Sony E

You should buy this lens from B.I.G. Picture (DE) | amazon.com | amazon.de | ebay.com | ebay.de | B&H for about $486 (affiliate hyperlinks)

Dealing with / Construct High quality

The primary 7Artisans lens I reviewed right here, the 28mm 1.4 FE+ – and likewise the 75mm 1.25 – had been manufactured by DJOptical, but it surely appears they’re these days producing solely for TTArtisan.

The mechanical design of this 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 is sort of a bit completely different in comparison with that we’re used to from the DJOptical lenses, so allow us to have a better look.

The mechanical high quality typically feels good and all of the markings are engraved and stuffed with paint, however there are some things to level out: the aperture ring (90° rotation from f/1.05 to f/16) has a really attention-grabbing stepping, because the stops between f/1.4 and f/2.8 are just about equidistant and people between f/4.0 and f/16 are a lot narrower but additionally equidistant.
There are additionally no click on stops and due to this fact it happend to me very often that I modified the aperture setting by accident.

The main focus ring does gives a pleasant resistance and rotates ~110° from the minimal focus distance of 0.57 m to infinity. The difficulty I’ve with this focus ring is that it feels somewhat bit mushy and even has a small quantity of slack when altering the main focus route.
This was much less of a difficulty within the area and extra noticeable when setting precise focus for taking the sharpness analysis footage.

There is no such thing as a hood distributed with the lens and I’m not certain there even is an official one accessible.

The black bayonet does look cool from the skin as it’s made out of some shiny (or polished) steel, however sadly additionally it is shiny on the within.

The 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 has the identical diameter because the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 E however is noticeably longer. The 7Artisans lens can also be 50% (200g) heavier and the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 E additionally ships with an aluminium lens hood.

Vignetting

gentle falloff

f/1.05	1.8 EV
f/1.4	1.3 EV
f/2.0	0.9 EV
f/2.8 – f/16	0.8 EV

The vignetting figures are surprisingly good for a compact and quick 50mm lens. A lightweight falloff of 1.8 EV on the most aperture is the bottom I’ve seen in all of the quick 50mm lenses I’ve reviewed to date.

It is suggested to take a look at this text first to get an concept how this brightness graph works.

What can also be shocking is the very low vignetting stopped down solely somewhat. Already by f/2.0 it’s hardly noticeable anymore amounting to lower than 1 EV. The one different 50mm lenses I’ve used that present this little vignetting stopped down are the Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP and the Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX, however even right here it’s important to cease down additional to achieve vignetting figures of lower than 1 EV.

optical vignetting

Very quick but compact lenses often present a big quantity of optical vignetting. With out going an excessive amount of into technical particulars optical vignetting results in the truncation of sunshine circles in direction of the borders of the body.
Within the middle of the body virtually each lens will render an ideal circle, however solely lenses with very low optical vignetting will hold this form within the corners.
So within the following comparability we transfer from the middle (left) to the intense nook (proper) and see how the form of the sunshine circle modifications.

We see a number of attention-grabbing issues right here: the sunshine circles on the 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 are very clear and because of utilizing no aspherical components we don’t see any onion ring constructions (which can also be the case for the Syoptic 50mm 1.1).

We additionally see that the quantity of optical vignetting may be very low for a lens with these parameters, it’d in truth be the bottom in a 50mm lens quicker than f/1.4 I’ve seen to date and the form additionally seems to be very pure to me.

I did shoot the lenses facet by facet, so they’re straight comparable, we see the circle of the 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 @ f/1.05 is a tiny bit greater than that of the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 @ f/1.1, which was to be anticipated. The lenses had been set to 0.7 m focus distance, outcomes could differ at different distances.

The traces working by means of the circles are as a result of glass I used as a mirror to take these footage and aren’t a function of the lens.

The change in diameter between f/1.1 and f/1.4 on the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 just isn’t as large correctly and the change between f/1.4 and f/2.0 is larger than it must be. Compared to different lenses it seems to be to me just like the f/1.4 click on cease isn’t the place it’s speculated to be.

Sharpness

infinity (42mp Sony A7rII)

At wider apertures the efficiency is similar to the Syoptic 50mm 1.1. This implies the f/1.05 efficiency within the middle is surprisingly good at infinity as there’s solely somewhat little bit of softness resulting from spherical aberration seen.

There may be additionally noticeable midzone dip at wider apertures current, as we’re used from comparable lenses just like the Syoptic 50mm 1.1, Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton or the TTArtisan 50mm 0.95. It takes stopping all the way down to f/4.0 for actually good efficiency within the midframe space.

The efficiency within the corners jogs my memory a variety of the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 and the Voigtländer VM 40mm 1.2, which additionally present a noticeable drop in decision near the intense cornes. This drop in sharpness is most evident with the 7Artisans lens reviewed right here although and even at f/11 the corners don’t look significantly good, which can also be seen within the Coma part.

If you’re in search of an “allround” lens that you may not solely use for shallow depth of area images but additionally for structure/panorama images demanding excessive throughout body sharpness this lens will probably not be the best alternative for you.

portrait distance 1.4 m distance (24mp Sony A7III)

For portraiture it isn’t so essential how flat the sphere is, it’s extra attention-grabbing to see what the sharpness is like when centered at completely different elements of the body to take area curvature out of the equation.

We shall be taking a look at 100% crops from the 24mp Sony A7III.

f/1.05 <—> f/1.4

Taking a look at these crops I’ve the sensation this lens has been optimized for portrait distances, as we’re getting surprisingly contrasty footage already at f/1.05.
The efficiency right here is definitely very near slower lenses just like the TTArtisan 50mm 1.4, Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.5 Nokton II and even the large Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP.

Within the area I additionally discovered this excessive distinction to make focusing a bit simpler in comparison with lenses just like the Syoptic 50mm 1.1, Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M or MS-Optics 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar.

shut (0.57 m, 1:8.0, 42mp A7rII)

100% crops from middle, A7rII, because of focus shift (see corresponding part) I refocused for each shot.

The 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 focuses all the way down to 0.57m. This compares favorably to lots of the quick M-mount 50mm lenses that hit the market these days, however doesn’t precisely permit for breathtaking shut ups.

In comparison with different quick lenses with no floating components design the efficiency right here can also be above common, once more much like the TTArtisan 50mm 1.4 and about 2 stops higher than the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 or the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton.

Flare resistance

As all the time evaluating flare is a fancy matter since you may get any lens to look unhealthy if you happen to push it exhausting sufficient and a slight change of situation can have an effect on outcomes rather a lot.

Solar exterior body

The 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 doesn’t ship with a hood and I’m not certain there even is an official hood accessible for this lens. It’s positively attainable to catch large artefacts with the solar exterior the body. Typically it could assist to shade the lens along with your hand, within the instance above I sadly didn’t see these artefacts within the viewfinder.

Road lamps at night time may also result in extreme artefacts:

Solar inside body

With the solar contained in the body (the place a hood wouldn’t assist anyway) the scenario just isn’t that rosy, it is rather simple to catch body filling artefacts, ghosts and encounter a noticeable lack of distinction.

 

Now at f/1.05 when there’s a sturdy gentle supply within the body it is rather simple to come across very apparent ring flares. Stopping down just a bit resolves this although.

Coma

Coma is robust from f/1.05 to f/1.4 and improves considerably on stopping down additional. Different aberrations (largely astigmatism) take over although, in order now we have already seen within the sharpness part the corners by no means look significantly nice.

100% crops from excessive nook, centered on middle, Sony A7rII

Distortion

Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 | f/8.0

The 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 reveals a noticeable however nonetheless low quantity of barrel distortion. Dialing in +3 in Lightroom/Photoshop will right this.

Bokeh

We already noticed this lens reveals low optical vignetting and this can be superb information for the overall bokeh rendering. However then there’s nonetheless area curvature which has the potential to destroy all the things simply earlier than the end line.

So, as ordinary we’ll test how the lens behaves at various distances and with completely different backgrounds.

Shut distance

At shut distances there’s a lot to love: bokeh is easy and undistracting, because of low optical vignetting level gentle sources tackle a pure form even near the corners of the body and the comparatively excessive distinction on the most aperture provides to a pleasant sense of depth and topic separation.

Mid distance

There are comparable footage to the 2 above in my evaluate of the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 and we are able to see some attention-grabbing variations right here: first the 7Artisans reveals much less optical vignetting, so the form of the out of focus level gentle sources is nearer to that of a circle in direction of the corners.
However there’s one other vital distinction: with the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 gentle circles that are overlapping flip into one large, easy out of focus space, whereas we are able to usually nonetheless see apparent edges of sunshine circles with this 7Artisans 50mm 1.05.

With extra advanced, structured backgrounds we are able to see a slight tendency in direction of double edged constructions. Most probably the spherical aberration is corrected to the next diploma on this 7Artisans lens.

Lengthy distance

Additionally at longer focus distances gentle circles are rendered properly and the distinction holds up very effectively, too. However there’s something to concentrate on at longer focus distance and that’s area curvature.

In case you have a look at the highest proper nook within the following footage you may see that these elements aren’t almost as a lot out of focus as different components located at this distance. There might be two causes for this: optical vignetting and area curvature.

We already know optical vignetting is low, so it may be value trying on the form of the sphere curvature, which I did right here for roughly 2.0 m and 4.0 m:

Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 | f/1.05

We will see that the sphere may be very flat at 2.0 m focus distance. In case you look very carefully you may see it’s barely “W” formed, however to not a level that it could actually matter.
Now at 4.0 m however we see a really apparent “W” form with the aircraft in focus bending to the again rather a lot in direction of the corners. At longer focus distances this could result in the corners being much less blurry than one may anticipate.

The 7Artisans just isn’t alone right here, only in the near past we noticed such behaviour with the Laowa 45mm 0.95 and the Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.0 additionally appears to indicate this to a really excessive diploma (nonetheless ready for a evaluate pattern of that one).

Now we test how the 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 compares to the Syoptic 50mm 1.1 at these distances:

 

We noticed the 7Artisans lens reveals considerably much less optical vignetting, so we might anticipate the corners to be extra out of focus (blurrier). However as we are able to see on this comparability: this isn’t the case. The unfavourable form of the 7Artisans’ area curvature nullifies the good thing about the higher optical vignetting efficiency at these longer distances.

So the place does all of that depart us? It depends upon what you want and what you need.
In case you just like the excessive distinction at most aperture with a extra structured bokeh yow will discover e.g. within the Leica Asph lenses or lots of the quick Zeiss lenses you may be actually pleased with this 7Artisans 50mm 1.05.
If however you’re in search of a extra “light” or “classic” rendering with subdued distinction and fewer corrected spherical aberration chances are you’ll be higher off with the Syoptic 50mm 1.1.

Sunstars

Attributable to incorporating an aperture diaphragm with 13 rounded aperture blades it’s actually exhausting to create sunstars with this lens. In case you take an image of a blue hour metropolis scape you will notice some small ones (see crops in Coma part) however you probably have the precise solar within the body it is rather exhausting to create them, I attempted.
If you wish to know extra about sunstar rendering of various lenses take a look at this text.

Chromatic aberration

lateral

100% crops from border, A7rII

Already within the midframe lateral CA begin to turn out to be seen and enhance in direction of the corners. They’re nonetheless simply corrected in a uncooked developer like Lightroom by one click on.

longitudinal

The great distinction at nearer distances is a little bit of a drawback right here in comparison with lenses just like the Syoptic 50mm 1.1, the place the excessive quantity of spherical aberration is doing a great job masking this.

We will clearly see magenta outlining in entrance of and inexperienced outlining behind the aircraft in focus. In case you have a have a look at the main focus shift part we additionally see it doesn’t clear up that quick as it’s nonetheless simply seen at f/2.8.

At longer distances the outlining can also be simple to search out:

Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 | f/1.05

And purple fringing is on the sturdy facet as effectively, nonetheless simply seen in low decision footage:

Sony A7III | 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 | f/1.05

So the efficiency right here, it isn’t nice. It’s nonetheless higher than e.g. that of the Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 E III and hardly worse than that of the Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA or Sony FE 35mm 1.4 ZA, however the issue I’ve right here is that there’s an Apo badge on the field of this 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 and in my view it doesn’t deserve one.

Focus shift

50% crops, A7rII

With some lenses when stopping down the aircraft of optimum focus shifts to the again or the entrance. The 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 reveals a small quantity of focus shift which is particularly noticeable when making the bounce from f/2.0 to f/2.8.
So long as you cease down first and focus afterwards this may by no means be a difficulty.

Alternate options

I’ll solely cowl the actually apparent options intimately right here, however if you happen to ended up right here by chance and you’re in search of an AF lens could take a look at our Information to 50mm lenses for Sony E-mount.

Syoptic 50mm 1.1:
The obvious competitor. The Syoptic lens is your least expensive tremendous quick 50mm choice, particularly the E-mount model. This evaluate already accommodates many comparisons between the 2.
The 7Artisans lens positively gives increased distinction at most aperture and the vignetting is surprisingly low.
The Syoptic lens is smaller, cheaper, gives a bit higher construct high quality and smoother bokeh in some situations.
purchase from ebay.com for about $320 for the M-mount model and $200 for the opposite mounts (affiliate hyperlinks)

7Artisans 50mm 1.1:
It is a very completely different lens. The distinction just isn’t that this one is f/1.1 as an alternative of f/1.05, however all the things else. The older f/1.1 model just isn’t optimized to present easy bokeh at most aperture however moderately nervous bokeh with numerous area curvature. It additionally isn’t almost as sharp, particularly at wider apertures. Doesn’t match my style, however perhaps you want this type of look it provides.
purchase from amazon.com | amazon.de | B&H | ebay.com | ebay.de for $349 (affiliate hyperlinks)

Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton E:
If you’re not on a good finances you acquire digital communications along with your digicam, higher flare resistance and smoother bokeh right here.
By way of sharpness the 7Artisans has an edge at portrait distances however is worse at infinity stopped down, so the Voigtländer makes for a greater allround lens.
purchase from CameraQuest | B&H | Robert White | amazon.com | amazon.de | ebay.com | ebay.de for $999 (affiliate hyperlinks)

TTArtisan 50mm 0.95 M:
In all probability the at present most offered f/0.95 M-mount lens. Considerably greater and heavier, 3 instances at costly.
Corners at infinity additionally by no means look nice, extra however to my eyes worse bokeh, equally unhealthy flare resistance.
purchase from amazon.com/amazon.de, B&H or ebay.com/ebay.de for about $755/860€ (affiliate hyperlinks)

Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M:
By way of look of the images I desire it over the aforementioned TTArtisan lens, but it surely additionally comes with fairly a number of compromieses, particularly flare resistance and off middle sharpness at wider apertures. It is usually considerably greater, heavier and three instances as costly and it shares the clickless aperture ring I’m not a fan of. And the 1.0 m minimal focus distance is an actual burden.
purchase from amazon.com or B&H for $799 (affiliate hyperlinks)

Voigtlander 50mm 2.0 APO-Lanthar:
If you’re in search of the absolute best correction of optical aberrations as an alternative of numerous bokeh that is the lens you’re in search of.
purchase from CameraQuest | B&H | Robert White | amazon.com | amazon.de | ebay.com | ebay.de for $1049 (affiliate hyperlinks)

Conclusion

good excessive distinction already at f/1.05 bokeh low (particularly optical) vignetting

common correction of longitudinal CA distortion Coma correction construct high quality/dealing with dimension/weight value

not good nook sharpness at infinity flare resistance no digital contacts

I’ve reviewed lots of the quick and compact 50mm lenses however in some way neglected this 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 – till now.

The most important distinction in comparison with many of the different tremendous quick 50mm lenses I’ve reviewed these days is that this one has initially been designed for E-mount and never for M-mount. And when trying on the gentle falloff figures and the optical vignetting this positively appears to have been a profit.

A nice shock is the excessive distinction already at f/1.05 and over many of the body (at portrait distances), this additionally makes focusing a bit simpler in comparison with a few of the different tremendous quick 50s.

The bokeh will enchantment to those who just like the excessive distinction look that we additionally know from the Leica Asph lenses and lots of the quick trendy Zeiss lenses. In case you felt lenses just like the Voigtländer 50mm 1.2 or Syoptic 50mm 1.1 had been too delicate for you this one may be what you’re in search of.

Sadly there are additionally some issues which aren’t that likable. The corners at infinity by no means look good, even stopped all the way down to f/11. The flare resistance additionally leaves one thing to be desired, so if you happen to had been in search of an allround lens not solely good for shallow depth of area images however equally succesful when taking stopped down panorama/structure footage that is most likely not the best alternative. And we’re additionally not getting any digital contacts for communication with the digicam.

After which there are additionally a number of extra issues I didn’t anticipate: on the field I may discover an “Apo” tag, promising at the very least an above common correction of longitudinal CA, however this isn’t what I’m seeing. The efficiency isn’t terrible, however not almost adequate to warrant an Apo tag.
The main focus ring can also be not one of the best I’ve ever seen because it feels a bit mushy and even has a tiny little bit of slack when altering the route of rotation, within the area this wasn’t an enormous deal although.
Personally I additionally desire having an aperture ring with click on stops so as to not by accident change the aperture, however it is a private choice.

If you’re utilizing one of many trendy mirrorless cameras and you’re in search of a really quick 50mm lens for portraiture/shallow depth of area images the 7Artisans 50mm 1.05 is a really attention-grabbing choice nonetheless, because the excessive distinction look coupled with typically likable bokeh and surprisingly low vignetting usually made me overlook the (largely minor) flaws within the area.

You should buy this lens from B.I.G. Picture (DE) | amazon.com | amazon.de | ebay.com | ebay.de | B&H for about $486 (affiliate hyperlinks)

Pattern Photos

Many of the pattern pictures on this evaluate might be present in full decision right here.

Additional Studying