7artisans 35mm f/2

7artisans 35mm f/2

When it appeared in 2018, the 7artisans 35mm f/2 quickly picked up the nickname "China-cron," a nod to its low price and its obvious target, the Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 [3]. It was an early entry in the wave of inexpensive Chinese-made rangefinder optics aimed at Leica shooters who wanted a fast 35mm without paying German prices, and at launch it sold for around 289 US dollars [1][2]. Unlike many fast 35mm designs of the period, it is built on a Sonnar-type optical formula rather than a double-Gauss layout [1].

The lens uses an optical design of seven elements in five groups and a ten-bladed diaphragm, and it focuses down to 0.7 m [1][2]. It is fully rangefinder coupled and carries a hyperfocal distance scale and a focusing tab, with a 43 mm filter thread [1]. Reviewers found the build surprisingly solid for the price, with one comparing the fit and finish to a Cosina-made Voigtlander rather than to Leica, and noting precise aperture clicks [1]. At 205 g it is lighter than the comparable Leica Summicron-M 35mm ASPH while being similar in size, around a 20 percent reduction in weight [1]. The lens lacks six-bit coding, so it is not automatically recognised by Leica digital bodies, and it was offered in black and silver finishes.

The original M-mount lens described here was later joined by a redesigned "Mark II," sometimes sold under 7artisans' "Wen" series, which is a different and more complex optic with an eight-element, seven-group layout, a 55 mm filter thread and a higher weight, so it should not be confused with the earlier model [4].

Optical qualities

Rendering The 7artisans 35mm f/2 renders in a way consistent with its Sonnar heritage and budget construction, and reviews are broadly in agreement on its character. It is described as surprisingly sharp, though it draws slightly thicker lines than the Leica Summicron and so looks a little less refined, while contrast is good and bokeh is reasonable [1].

Sharpness Performance is softer near wide open and tightens up considerably on stopping down. One reviewer reported that on film it is very sharp from f/4 to f/5.6 and renders well even closer to wide open, and that when stopped down it is sharp corner to corner; wide-open results were noted as less pleasing on digital sensors than on film [3]. Another comparison found it approaching the Summicron's look from about f/5.6 onward [1].

Flare resistance Accounts differ. A film-based review judged that the lens handles flare well [3], while another reviewer found it prone to flare and noted that it shipped without a hood, so some care is needed against stray light [1].

Distortion and vignetting In a direct comparison with the Leica Summicron-M 35mm ASPH, wide-open vignetting of the two lenses was reported as almost identical [2]. The same review also observed that the 7artisans appears slightly longer than its stated focal length, behaving closer to a 38 mm lens [1].

History

Development and Launch The 35mm f/2 was an early offering from 7artisans and one of its first lenses aimed squarely at the Leica M crowd, arriving in 2018 as a fast, inexpensive alternative to the 35mm Summicron [1]. Its sub-300-dollar price and Summicron-like profile drove much of the early discussion around it [1][2].

Special editions No major factory special editions of the original M-mount lens are widely documented, beyond the standard black and silver finishes. The lens was later succeeded by a redesigned Mark II / "Wen" version with a different and more complex optical formula, which is best treated as a separate model rather than a finish variant [4].

Collector Notes The most important point for buyers is to distinguish the original seven-element, five-group lens with a 43 mm filter thread and roughly 205 g weight from the later Mark II / Wen redesign, which uses an eight-element, seven-group formula, a 55 mm filter and a heavier barrel [1][4]. The original did not ship with a hood, so an aftermarket hood is worth considering given the flare reports [1]. As with any sub-300-dollar rangefinder lens, sample variation in centring and rangefinder calibration is worth checking, and there is no six-bit coding, so the lens must be selected manually in a Leica body's menu if profile correction is desired.

Sources

• [1] Japan Camera Hunter. Camera Geekery: 7Artisans 35mm f/2 lens on film review. https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2018/06/camera-geekery-7artisans-35mm-f-2-lens-on-film-review/
• [2] Leica Rumors. 7Artisans 35mm f/2 lens review (comparison with the Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH). https://leicarumors.com/2018/05/27/7artisans-35mm-f-2-lens-review-comparison-with-the-leica-summicron-m-35mm-f-2-asph.aspx/
• [3] 50mmF2. A Short Farewell Review Of 7Artisans 35mm F2 M-Mount Lens. https://50mmf2.com/writings/a-short-farewell-review-of-7artisans-35mm-f2-m-mount-lens
• [4] Phillip Reeve (BastianK). Review: 7Artisans 35mm 2.0 Wen M. https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-7artisans-35mm-2-0-wen-m/