7Artisans has announced the 50mm f/1.8 lens for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. It is the company’s first-ever autofocus-equipped lens. No stranger to exciting and affordable lenses, like the extremely wide 9mm f/5.6 full-frame lens and a 14mm T2.0 cinema lens, 7Artisans makes lenses for a wide range of camera systems and sensor sizes. While sporting a novel autofocus system, the new 50mm f/1.8 prime is not the company’s first 50mm prime lens. It also offers a 50mm T2.0 cinema lens for $322 and a 50mm f/0.95 prime for APS-C cameras for just $169. The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.8 AF lens is a reasonably compact lens. While not as small as older 50mm f/1.8 primes for DSLR cameras, it is similar in size and weight to other third-party E-mount “nifty fifty” primes. The new 50mm f/1.8 AF is 104 millimeters (4.1 inches) long and weighs 412 grams (14.9 ounces). It features 11 elements arranged across nine groups, including a pair of aspherical glass elements, two high refraction index elements, and an ED glass optic. The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.8 AF lens has a 62mm filter thread. It also has a removable petal-shaped lens hood. While not much larger and heavier than other third-party 50mm f/1.8 E-mount lenses, it is worth noting that Sony’s own FE 50mm f/1.8 G lens is exceptionally compact and light. It is just 59.5 millimeters (2.3 inches) long and weighs a mere 186 grams (6.6 ounces). Granted, it has just six elements across five groups, so there’s not a lot of glass inside.
Returning to the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.8 AF, its autofocus system has a stepping motor (STM) that promises “high-speed reliable autofocus” performance. The lens is compatible with numerous advanced Sony autofocus features, including face and eye-detect autofocus. As for minimum focusing distance, the lens is rated to focus as close as 0.5 meters (1.6 feet), putting it outside the realm of macro photography. Sample Images © Andylsb95 © Andylsb95 © Andylsb95
© Moke © Moke © Moke Pricing and Availability The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.8 AF prime lens is available to order now for $228 directly from 7Artisans and through B&H. This is a bit more than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 lens, which is currently on sale for $198, down $50 from its regular price. Other 50mm f/1.8 options for Sony E-mount cameras include the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8S DF DSM for $318, the Meike 50mm f/1.8 AF for $160, and the Viltrox 50mm f/1.8 for $359. Image credits: 7Artisans
