7Artisans 7artisans AF 24mm F1.8 Full Frame Lens for L Review

The 7Artisans 24mm f/1.8 is a weird one. It's a wide-angle lens that's shockingly good at macro and terrible at portraits. If you're looking for a versatile walk-around lens, this ain't it. But if you need a sharp, fast-focusing lens for close-up details on a budget, it's a surprisingly capable tool.

What really surprised me was the autofocus. It's in the 96th percentile, and it shows. The STM motor is quick and quiet, locking onto subjects with a confidence you don't expect at this price. The stabilization is solid too, sitting in the 88th percentile. But the optical performance, at the 33rd percentile, tells the real story. Colors are fine, but sharpness wide open is just okay, and the bokeh is pretty harsh.

At $329, it's a decent value, but only if you need what it's good at. You're paying for that killer autofocus and macro performance. If you want beautiful, creamy backgrounds or a do-it-all lens, your money is better spent elsewhere.

For L-mount shooters on a budget, the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is a more versatile choice with better bokeh for portraits, though its autofocus might not be as snappy. If you want a true all-rounder from a major brand, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is in another league optically and in build, but it costs more than three times as much. The 7Artisans wins on AF speed and close-focusing, but loses everywhere else.

This is a niche lens. I can only recommend it if you specifically need a fast-focusing wide-angle for product shots, details, or casual video on a tight budget. For almost any other purpose, including general photography or portraits, there are better options. It's a one-trick pony, but that one trick is pretty good.