7Artisans launches low-budget FF 85mm f/1.8 AF lens for Sony E
Jul 23, 2024
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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7Artisans is expanding its autofocus lens lineup, announcing the new full-frame 85mm f/1.8 AF lens ($299) for Sony E mount cameras. The new lens brings 7Artisans’ total up to three AF lenses, including the 50mm f/1.8 and 27mm f/2.8 for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts.
There’s no Nikon Z mount version of the 85mm f/1.8 AF (yet?), but for Sony shooters, it comes in at half the price of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens ($599). This makes it a potentially fantastic portrait lens for beginners who don’t yet want to invest a fortune.
7Artisans 85mm f/1.8 – Low-budget portrait lens for Sony E
While 7Artisans’ collection of autofocus lenses is still quite small at three, the 85mm f/1.8 is a great one for them to go for. It’s one of the least expensive 85mm f/1.8 lenses available for Sony E mount and looks a little more polished than the slightly less expensive – but perpetually out of stock – AstrHori 85mm f/1.8 AF at $276.
It’s a compact lens, at only 72mm x 96mm, and weighs around 437g. Its maximum aperture of f/1.8 closes down to f/16, which is perhaps not the f/22 some might have been hoping for, but at that level, you’re suffering from diffraction anyway. So it won’t be too much of a loss to most.
Watching Christopher Frost’s review above, it seems like a pretty decent lens, considering what it costs. Is it as good as the Sony? Well, no, it doesn’t appear to be. It looks great and sharp in the middle, but seems to soften up a little as it gets towards the edges.
For some users, this won’t be an issue. Studio, with flat, solid colour backgrounds, for example. Or even shooting on location. When photographing portraits, the outside of the frame is usually the background, which is already well out of focus.
7Artisans 85mm f/1.8 AF Specs
| Focal length | 85mm |
|---|---|
| Max aperture | f/1.8 |
| Min aperture | f/16 |
| Angle of view | 24° |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Mount | Sony E |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
| Lens type | Rectilinear |
| Optics | 10 elements in 8 groups |
| Aperture blades | 11 |
| Filter thread | 62mm |
| Min focus distance | 80 cm |
| Dimensions | 72 x 96mm |
| Weight | 437.5g |
Price and Availability
The 7Artisans 85mm f/1.8 AF for Sony E mount is available to pre-order now for $299. Items are expected to start shipping in mid-August.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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