7Artisans 7artisans 35mm f1.2 Mark II APS-C Larger Aperture Review
For under $150, this manual lens offers an f/1.2 aperture and beautiful bokeh, making it a unique creative tool for portrait shooters who don't mind focusing by hand.
Overview
The 7artisans 35mm f/1.2 Mark II is a weird little lens that's all about character, not clinical perfection. It's a manual focus prime that gives you a massive f/1.2 aperture for under $150, which is frankly wild. The one thing you need to know is this: it's a mood machine. It's not going to give you tack-sharp, perfectly corrected images, but it will give you photos with soul, especially for portraits.
Performance
What surprised me is how it feels to use. The all-metal build is fantastic for the price, landing in the 89th percentile. The manual focus is smooth, and the image stabilization actually works pretty well. But the real surprise is the bokeh. For an ultra-affordable lens, the 10-blade aperture creates really pleasant, soft out-of-focus areas. Just don't expect corner-to-corner sharpness wide open—it's soft and dreamy, which is part of its charm.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- An f/1.2 aperture for $139 is insane value. 96th
- Beautiful, character-filled bokeh from the 10-blade design. 93th
- Solid, all-metal build quality that feels great. 89th
- Effective image stabilization helps with manual focusing. 89th
Cons
- It's manual focus only, which is a deal-breaker for some.
- Optical performance is soft wide open and has noticeable flaws.
- Not versatile at all—it's basically a portrait/close-up specialist.
- No weather sealing, so keep it out of the rain.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 35 |
Value & Pricing
At $139, it's an absolute steal if you want the look. You're paying for the aperture and the build, not optical perfection. For the price of a fancy dinner, you get a unique creative tool. It's absolutely worth it for the right shooter.
vs Competition
The most direct competitor is the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 for Z mount. It has autofocus and is sharper, but it's slower (f/1.7 vs f/1.2) and often costs more. If you need autofocus, get the Viltrox. If you want the ultimate shallow depth of field and don't mind focusing manually, this 7artisans is the play. The Meike 35mm f/1.8 is another AF option, but again, you're giving up that full f/1.2 glow.
| Spec | 7Artisans 7artisans 35mm f1.2 Mark II APS-C Larger Aperture | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Meike Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro Full Frame AF STM Lens High | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 55mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 218 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 201 | 422 |
| AF Type | — | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | — | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | — | — |
Verdict
If you shoot on a Nikon Z APS-C camera and you're into portraits, street, or just want a fun, manual lens with loads of character, buy this. It's a no-brainer at this price. If you need autofocus for fast-paced work or demand optical perfection, look elsewhere. This lens is for creatives on a budget.