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 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.
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
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