I’ve been testing the fairly new autofocus lenses from 7Artisans recently. These are true budget-friendly lenses, priced at just USD $125 each. The lineup includes a 25mm F1.8, 35mm F1.8, and 50mm F1.8.
Just think about it—you can own all three prime lenses for only USD $375.
First impressions? They’re surprisingly well made. The lenses are compact, lightweight, and feel solid in the hand. They certainly don’t have that “cheap” feeling that you might expect from lenses in this price range.
Autofocus performance is average at best, but that’s perfectly acceptable considering the price. I don’t expect flagship-level AF from a lens that costs just over a hundred dollars.
After shooting with all three lenses for several days, I have to say I’ve enjoyed using them. They handle well, produce pleasing images, and are generally quite sharp optically.
After sharing some photos on Instagram, a few fellow photographers asked me how the 7Artisans 35mm F1.8 compares with Fujifilm’s XF35mm F2 WR. That got me curious.
Coincidentally, I was about to calibrate my laptop and EIZO monitor using the Datacolor SpyderPro monitor calibrator when I thought, “Why not pull out a few 35mm lenses and see how they stack up?”
So that’s exactly what I did.
Before we continue, let me make one thing clear—this isn’t a scientific laboratory test. It’s simply one photographer shooting a few comparison photos using the Datacolor SpyderPro as the subject.
A Quick Note on Monitor Calibration
Since the Datacolor SpyderPro has already made an appearance, let me ask you something:
How many photographers actually calibrate their monitors?
It’s one of those important steps that many of us tend to overlook. Seeing your images accurately on screen is essential, especially when editing.
As a commercial photographer, colour accuracy is critical. I need confidence that what I see on my monitor is as close as possible to the final output. A calibrated monitor helps ensure consistent colours, tones, and brightness, whether the images are viewed online or sent to print.
Alright… commercial break over. 😄
The Test Setup
All the comparison photos were taken using a Fujifilm X-H2 mounted on a tripod, with image stabilization turned off. The camera was positioned roughly 50–60 cm from the Datacolor SpyderPro.
I captured every shot using autofocus first, followed by manual focus.
Why both?
When reviewing the initial autofocus images, I noticed that the 7Artisans sample looked slightly softer than expected. I wasn’t sure whether it was the lens or simply a slight focusing miss. To eliminate that variable, I repeated the test using both autofocus and manual focus.
The comparison below includes five views for each lens:
- Full frame
- 50% crop
- 100% crop
- 200% crop
- 400% crop
My Thoughts
I have to admit—I was a little surprised by the results.
Keep in mind that these four lenses span roughly 14 years of lens development, and each one was designed with a different purpose in mind.
The Fujifilm XF35mm F1.4 may not be the sharpest lens by today’s standards, but to me it’s still the GOAT. There’s something special about the way it renders images that keeps photographers coming back to it.
The XF35mm F2 WR remains one of my favourites because of its compact size, fast autofocus, and weather resistance. It’s a fantastic everyday lens. Second sharpest lens in this test.
The Viltrox 35mm F1.7 is an excellent entry-level option, offering impressive performance for the money. It’s also the sharpest in this little test I did.
As for the 7Artisans 35mm F1.8, it is probably the softest lens in this comparison. However, considering its incredibly affordable price, I still think it delivers excellent value. It may not outperform lenses costing two or three times more, but it offers a lot of lens for just USD $125.
At the end of the day, no single lens is perfect. Every lens has its own strengths, personality, and target audience. The best lens isn’t always the sharpest one—it’s the one that fits your needs, your shooting style, and your budget.
