7Artisans 7Artisans 25mm f/0.95 Lens for Canon RF Review
The 7Artisans 25mm f/0.95 delivers stunning background blur for cheap, but you have to work for it with manual focus only.
Overview
This is a chunky, all-manual prime lens for Canon RF APS-C cameras. It gives you a 40mm equivalent field of view, which is great for portraits and street shots. The whole point of this lens is that massive f/0.95 aperture. It lets in a ton of light and can give you that super creamy, blurred background look.
Performance
Let's be clear: the f/0.95 aperture is the star. Bokeh performance is in the 100th percentile, so your background blur will be smooth and dreamy. Sharpness is decent in the center, especially if you stop down a bit from f/0.95. But it's all manual focus, and the focus ring is a bit stiff. You'll miss shots if you're trying to catch fast action.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That f/0.95 aperture creates gorgeous, creamy bokeh. 100th
- Solid metal build feels hefty and durable. 99th
- Great for low-light shooting without a flash. 75th
- Surprisingly good close-focusing ability for a portrait lens.
Cons
- It's manual focus only, which can be slow and tricky.
- The lens is heavy for its size at nearly 600 grams.
- No weather sealing means you can't take it out in the rain.
- Image sharpness wide open is soft, especially in the corners.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 25 |
| Focal Length Max | 25 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 9 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/0.95 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 13 |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 52 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 250 |
Value & Pricing
At around $215, it's a lot of lens for the money if you're chasing that specific f/0.95 look. You won't find another lens with an aperture that fast for anywhere near this price. Just know you're paying for the glass and the aperture, not for any modern conveniences like autofocus or stabilization.
vs Competition
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is a direct competitor. It has autofocus and is much lighter, but its max aperture isn't as extreme. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is another option with autofocus and a more telephoto view, but again, you lose that f/0.95 magic. If you need a zoom, the Panasonic 14-140mm is infinitely more versatile for travel, but it's slow and can't touch the 7Artisans for portrait blur.
| Spec | 7Artisans 7Artisans 25mm f/0.95 Lens for Canon RF | Meike Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro Full Frame AF STM Lens High | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm F1.7 Lens, X Mount 35mm F1.7 Auto | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens | Panasonic Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II | Fujifilm VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 25mm | 55mm | 35mm | 35mm | 14-140mm | 25mm |
| Max Aperture | f/0.95 | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.7 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 587 | 201 | 301 | 371 | 27 | 400 |
| AF Type | — | STM | STM | STM | — | STM |
| Lens Type | — | — | — | Zoom | Telephoto | — |
Verdict
Buy this if you shoot on a Canon RF APS-C camera and you're obsessed with getting the creamiest possible bokeh on a budget. You need to be comfortable with manual focus. Skip it if you shoot fast-moving subjects, need autofocus, or want a lightweight, walk-around lens.