It isn’t usually an affordable 85mm quick portrait prime lens comes alongside, however that is precisely what 7Artisans have simply launched for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras. The brand new AF 85mm F1.8 has immediately turn into one of the crucial reasonably priced portrait primes obtainable for Sony shooters, and in contrast to many funds prime lenses from third-party producers, this one has stepping motor autofocussing, a configurable Fn operate button on the lens barrel, in addition to a USB-C port within the lens mount to allow future firmware updates. The one apparent omission right here is optical picture stabilisation, however since it is a lens designed for Sony’s IBIS-equipped E-mount our bodies, that is not a deal-breaker.
Optically you get a 10-element stack structured in 7 teams, together with a pair of extra-low dispersion parts and two high-refractive-index parts to enhance sharpness and minimise chromatic aberrations. 7Artisans hasn’t skimped on the lens diaphragm both, because it makes use of an 11-blade aperture to maintain out of focus highlights nicely rounded, plus it also needs to make for very easy bokeh. And for those who’d quite use the lens for close-ups, the 0.8-meter minimal focussing distance permits for this.
(Picture credit score: 7Artisans)
Regardless of its full-frame protection and the inclusion of autofocus, the AF 85mm F1.8 is pretty gentle, weighing 437.5g, although it must be famous that is nonetheless noticeably heavier than Sony’s personal 371g FE 85mm F1.8 lens. The Sony optic can also be shorter, measuring 81mm lengthy in comparison with the 96mm 7Artisans lens.
However for those who can handle that additional bulk, the $299 retail value of the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 makes it virtually half the value of the Sony competitors. What’s extra, 7Artisans has already launched an AF 50mm F1.8 lens for Sony cameras that we have already reviewed, and which we discovered to be excellent certainly, with respectable picture high quality. If this 85mm model performs simply as nicely, it may very well be an absolute steal on the value.
