What is the most asked questions I receive on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and here in the Blog?
“Is the aperture ring of the new 7Artisans lens declicked?”
“Yes” my answer for all 7Artisans lenses so-far
“I do not like declicked aperture rings I am used to clicked ones!” is then the answer
TATA, TATA!
The aperture ring of the 7Artisans 35mm f1.2 MKII is a clicked one!!!
Another difference to many of the 7Artisans lenses is the fact that the aperture ring is close/first to the camera body and then comes the focus ring. Just like in the old times when I used my manual Nikon cameras and lenses. Welcome back home…
Let’s be honest. When I had my first 7Artisans lens in hands, the 7Artisans 35mm f1.2 MKI, it took me a moment to get used to a declicked aperture ring. Today, I love this way of working. With a declicked aperture ring I can smoothly and without steps change the opening of the lens. This is not only for taking videos a big advantage (silent operation) but also it gives me an extra degree of freedom, not being bound to fixed diaphragm steps, during taking photos. Additional I have got a fan of the reversed order of focus and aperture ring. It’s much easier to access the focus ring if it is close to the body. This is even more evident while using long manual lenses like the Firefly 7Artisans 25mm f0.95. You can support with your handball the camera and easy reach to the focus ring. Setting the aperture is done once and is taking only 3-5% of the time in the process of taking an image, choosing the right focus takes 95% of this time.
The build quality of the 7Artisans 35mm f1.2 MKII is high, higher than the first MKI version. The smooth but well damped focus wheel run is so much better. The clicked aperture ring, with well defined steps f1.2, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. What is missing compared for example to the Firefly series of 7Artisans is the anodized and polished camera mount. The 7Artisans 35mm f1.2 MKII has a classical shiny metal mount and not like many, even more expensive OEM lenses, a plastic mount which will last perhaps just 100 changes before you see first groves from handling on it.
All these 7Artisans lenses are having the most bang for the buck!
Next I will prepare an optical close comparison of the MKI and MKII 7Artisans 35mm f1.2 and the 7Artisans 35mm f1.4 APSC which I used to record the pictures below with. Stay tuned to this channel.
How does it compare to the F0.95 at 1.4 to 2.0?
Hi Johan,
I will get the 7Artisans 35mm f1.2 MKII and the 7Artisans 35mm f1.4 APSC on the same test bench as before the Firefly 7Artisans 35mm f0.95 and the first version of the 7Artisans 35mm f1.2. 35mm third-party lens comparison for Fujifilm FX mount
All I can tell you the Firefly 35mm f0.95 is optical well corrected and sharp and it will be difficult to match for the other lenses. Also a lens with character.
Do you know how come there’s no red colour on the feet measures on your lens of the 35mm1.2markii. When 100% of all the copies I’ve seen is red there.
Hi Johan,
Thanks for your feedback.
The only explanation to me would be that I received a pre series model of that lens. Some of my 7Artisans lenses I have got before the product launch.
Greetings
Malte