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It’s very straightforward to seek out your self needing the most important and greatest, and everyone knows that good glass could be prohibitively costly. However does that need to be the case? I’ve typically puzzled whether or not extra wallet-friendly lenses can produce outcomes that I could be pleased with. It’s an odd factor that sure low-cost classic lenses develop into notably wanted, in some methods for his or her flaws and the character they will deliver, and it’s develop into fairly widespread to see filmmakers from all ranges utilizing outdated glass.
These outdated lenses are mostly not optically excellent, so why not take a look at the finances finish lenses to see what’s on provide? 7Artisans has a repute for producing lenses that present a fantastic stability between value and high quality, and they might have you ever look to their Imaginative and prescient Cine lenses as a approach to purchase even a three-lens set, appropriate for super35 cameras, for lower than you’ll pay for a single lens from a extra upmarket producer.
I’ve owned, rented, and used many lenses over time, in any respect worth factors, so I used to be desperate to get my palms on this 50mm T1.05 to see the way it would possibly match into my work. No preconceptions in regards to the picture or usability, apart from construct high quality, as I had nice experiences with a few of their stills lenses for my Fuji.
7Artisans Imaginative and prescient 50mm: Specs
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Focal Size |
50mm |
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Most aperture |
T1.05 |
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Minimal focus distance |
50mm |
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Weight |
679gms |
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Mounts |
M43, X, L, RF, E |
7Artisans Imaginative and prescient 50mm: Value
$430 / £430 / AU$459 could be very affordable and also you’d be exhausting pushed to seek out one thing from different manufacturers that match this, making it a worthy contender to your brief record. Particularly contemplating the specs and general construct. On high of that, you get a twelve-month guarantee, giving a bit of peace of thoughts.
Laowa Proteus: Design & Dealing with

The lens ships properly packaged and with a twist-on rear cap and a push-on entrance cap. A small niggle however I do want the entrance caps have been labelled with the focal size. Some producers do that, others don’t, but it surely makes issues neater and simpler when storing. After all, a little bit of tape or a label is straightforward sufficient, however nonetheless.
Construct high quality is admittedly excellent. The physique and mount are full metallic building, and the end is a pleasant satin black. Though there are alternatives for lens mounts, they don’t seem like consumer changeable, so that you’ll want to select between L, M43, EOS RF, Fuji X, and E mount. At first, I assumed it was unusual to see an X mount cine lens, however when you think about it is a tremendous 35 and APSC lens, it is sensible. Cameras just like the XHS2 or XT5 would go well with this properly. In reality, I’m tempted to seize an X mount model for my Fuji cameras.
The aperture ring is declicked and feels, together with the main target ring, buttery clean, with simply the correct quantity of resistance. Labels and markings are printed slightly than etched or engraved, which is a disgrace, however at this worth level, 7Artisans could be forgiven for that. After a lot use, there isn’t any signal of any put on. It’s additionally good to see focus measurements in each metric and imperial.

My L mount model is an ideal match to the digicam physique with no play within the connection in any respect, one thing that may’t be mentioned for all lenses, even at 3 times the worth. I’m actually impressed by the general construct right here, but it surely’s not fully excellent. I might say that for some customers, the gearing for the iris and focus may very well be a contact too shut. At just below 2cm, you would possibly discover it a good match in case you want to use two motors for management. My Tilta motors work simply wonderful, however others could have deeper motor barrels. That mentioned, the gearing is clean, and the 270-degree focus throw makes it straightforward to hit vital focus utilizing a motorised or hand-operated observe focus.
Like many cine lenses, there are not any electronics, no computerized iris, autofocus, and so on, however in case you’re taking a look at cine lenses, that is uncertain an issue.
7Artisans Imaginative and prescient 50mm: Efficiency

Let’s begin by speaking about crop elements. That is going to differ from digicam to digicam, primarily based in your sensor measurement and the way your sensor manages completely different codecs, as some will downsample your complete picture, whereas many crop right into a portion of the sensor. For me, capturing on a Pyxis that crop issue is a contact over 1.5x, making this successfully a 75mm lens.
Regardless that this lens is constructed of metallic, its pretty small proportions imply it isn’t too weighty and balances properly. Even on a extra mirrorless model digicam, it feels good, however I’ve been testing totally on my Pyxis, in super35 mode, and it makes for a fantastic partnership, with one exception. When utilizing the EVF, the mounting portion sits a bit of too far ahead for the Nucleus motor to match the gearing. That is solely depending on the rig you may have, so verify how a lot clearance you want. I acquired round this through the use of a baseplate with rods, which provides a little bit of bulk. When not utilizing the EVF, it isn’t a difficulty in any respect, and I principally choose to make use of a top-mounted monitor anyway.
Focus throw is 270 levels, nice for utilizing motors however not a lot for easy handheld and stripped again. The motion is buttery clean, nevertheless, which is very nice. The identical applies to the Iris, with its vary of T1.05 to 16. That is quick glass.
A big aperture doesn’t all the time imply picture, although. Usually, lenses must be closed down a bit of to get the most effective outcomes. That’s true right here, and T2 is the place the candy spot begins, which continues to be good. Wider than that’s nonetheless usable and useful for sure conditions, however it’s a little comfortable.

It’s value remembering this isn’t full body. Marketed as APS-C, this covers Tremendous 35 with completely no vignetting and nearly no nook softness. Spectacular, however not all sensors work the identical. In case you run a physique with out pixel binning, you could discover some critical vignetting right here, but when your sensor is cropped in Super35 mode, you’re golden.
Focus respiration is a kind of issues that’s actually necessary to some, whereas others don’t see it as an issue, and others don’t even discover it. As filmmakers, it tends to register increased on the record of priorities. Sadly, the 50mm imaginative and prescient does show some. Not loopy quantities, however it’s undoubtedly there. I personally don’t thoughts a bit of; nevertheless, for some, it could be unacceptable, however at this worth, I can forgive it.
The identical applies to artefacts and aberrations. As talked about within the intro, some individuals go mad for what they name ‘character’ in a lens, whereas others crave as scientific an image as potential. I can see the advantages of each, and whereas not a cherished classic lens, the Imaginative and prescient has a bit of little bit of character. There’s some particular fringing in detailed, excessive distinction areas. Bokeh is attention-grabbing with this lens. It has a slight swirl to it, which makes the lens really feel extra lived in. It’s exhausting to explain, but it surely isn’t clear and scientific, however has a type of allure that I actually like. I wouldn’t wish to use it to shoot a contemporary industrial, however for narrative, documentary, or profile items, I feel it may very well be a winner. That goes hand in hand with the small measurement, too, making for a neat, simply transportable setup.
Take a look at these take a look at photographs to see what I imply. The foliage towards the brilliant sky particularly demonstrates what I imply. Shot at T1.05, you possibly can see the potential depth of subject, bokeh, and normal look, which is good, but in addition the purple fringing, which might get sturdy at instances. Total, although, I might say the picture seems to be nice.
Outcomes are pleasing in numerous circumstances, too. Distinction stays sturdy in most conditions, solely actually diminishing when capturing straight into the sunshine, however that’s to be anticipated.
I actually like how even the picture is throughout the body. There’s no vignetting and nearly no drop off in softness. You possibly can see a small quantity when capturing repeating patterns, however by no means at any vital or distracting degree.
So, this lens isn’t the cleanest, most scientific. Neither is it probably the most laden with character, but it surely has a sure allure which I recognize, and, paired with the shape issue and worth, it’s one which I can see myself utilizing loads.
7Artisans Imaginative and prescient 50mm: Verdict
I’ve been actually impressed by this lens. It’s straightforward to deal with, doesn’t break the financial institution and the picture could be very pleasing. I prefer it a lot that I’ve ordered one other within the vary, so maintain your eyes peeled, as I’ll evaluation that to see if there’s good consistency throughout the vary. If you wish to add a fairly priced cine lens to your equipment, then this is likely to be the one you’re searching for.
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Options ★★★★★ |
No electronics on provide however that’s customary for a cine lens. Focus and iris gears are nice and it’s good to see imperial and metric markings |
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Design ★★★★☆ |
Properly designed, with clear labeling and beautiful metallic building, though a bit extra room for motors could be good |
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Efficiency ★★★★★ |
This lens performs very properly, contemplating the worth level. It will get a bit comfortable huge open however that’s commonplace, even at 4 instances the fee |
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Worth ★★★★★ |
Distinctive worth right here. You get plenty of lens to your cash. 7Artisans has carried out a fantastic job of balancing building, efficiency and worth |