7Artisans 35mm f/2 M-Mount: The $290 China-cron

[@torb-no]

I appreciate how you don't do these boring clinical reviews, but talk about the subjective stuff. It makes them so much more interesting.

[@GxAce]

I see you’ve made it back to my first videos hahah. These are hard for me to watch now haha. Definitely glad I changed up the style from the typical KZbin review

[@torb-no]

@@GxAce Already here you're much better than the typical reviewers obsessed with “objectivity” with their brick wall photos and pixel peeping. (I mean, people should do what they want, nothing wrong with it, but I know I prefer the subjective stuff myself.)

[@NickExposed]

Just wanted to swing by and say youre killin it with your vids! Loving the edits, background tracks, and the content. Im not typically one for going too far down the gear review watching trail, but I didn't even know this lens existed until coming across your vid. Thanks for the content. I look forward to watching your channel grow.

[@GxAce]

Thanks for the kind words, Nick! I'm trying to figure out how to make Youtubing a regular part of my life and love seeing how others are doing it! I've been following you on Instagram for a little while and I'm actually based in Lansing. It would be awesome to collaborate at some point!

[@NickExposed]

What?! You're in Lansing? We definitely need to get together to shoot and collab. Hit me up over on instagram. We will get something on the books this summer 👌

[@eatpomegranate]

Man, I love your reviews. Thanks for putting this out into the world.

[@GxAce]

Thanks a ton, Khalid!! Thanks for watching :)

[@xiaoxinghan2802]

Original comment from @TomVogt: Been waiting for this exact video, thank you! I think this lens will fill in a great space in the market: entry level alternative to the 35 cron. There are options now, but they all miss the mark. Voigtlander 2.5 is slower, 1.4 is soft with focus shift. the zeiss f2.8 is slower and the f2 is huge, and both lack a tab focus. The 40mm cron and rokkor are, well 40mm. The canon LTM lenses are vintage, and require an ebay purchase. The old summarons are slower, and also vintage. Even beat-up, 30 year old summicrons are nearly 2k. As you can probably tell, the lack of a good, cheap, M-mount 35 f2 has been annoying me 😬. But, hopefully this will be a solution.

[@vinegarhillny]

I actually prefer the Zeiss f/2 over the 35mm Summilux I used to own. Sure, the Lux had less viewfinder blockage but I found the focus and aperture rings too close together and I wasn't crazy about the tab on the focus ring. It would have been nice if this 7Artisans lens had been around when I was buying my Leica gear but I'm happy with the Zeiss.

[@barthonhoff5547]

Don’t niglect the Voigtländer 35mm 1.7. I own the 1st generation and I was suprised to compare the results with my Summilux 1.4 1st gen. Definitily better! And yes it does appear in your viewfinder, but what the heck, using a Leica you should be used to that!

[@jyangphotoatx]

Do you think this lens will work with M3 with a external finder?

[@GxAce]

It should work!

[@Weird_Quests]

I love your review of the Fuji X-T3 - going back and forth trying to figure out what kind of kit to stick with for video production.

[@blazerbarrel2]

Looks very sharp in the center stills and video , nice .

[@subhashsurs]

Hi, i like your reviews and video asthetics. Loved your Epson camera review. I would also love to see you test more 7artisans lenses.

[@CheerleaderTW5566]

Thanks to your testing!

[@acidsnow5915]

great review it actually always suprises me how good the 7artisan lenses are, considering the price

[@GxAce]

ACID SNOW yes! I’m super excited for the future of their company.

[@IVANTSENG0418]

Love your review and thank for those amazing samples!

[@GxAce]

Chih-Hsuan Tseng thanks for watching!

[@zatoichiable]

Is it the same glass with that of E mount version?

[@Richardsumilang]

I love your photos with this lens! It put me on the fence of ordering this lens because I feel pretty dirty putting a $280 lens on a $7k m10... But I just might do it to piss people off :)

[@GxAce]

Don’t feel bad about it!! That’s the fun of owning cameras! Trying out all types of different lenses. Haters gonna hate.

[@asianatureexploring]

Lol u don't even know I can buy it only 300CNY in China, less than 50 dollars

[@waratkasitanon5323]

i have it on my m10p too and its just so good I dont need another 35mm lens. The thoughts of having other 35 lens is just because of my ego. I tried the KOB and it didn't impress me.

[@jukeboxjohnnie]

Thanks for this, so better than anyone expected then...

[@GxAce]

Jonathan Pearson I would say so! It is actually pretty awesome :)

[@zhouyang5036]

do you know the exact date that this lens will be for sale?

[@GxAce]

zhou yang unfortunately an exact date hasn’t been released yet!

[@GxAce]

But it will be released in May

[@iamsimonmorris]

Looks like a fantastic lens, Old mixed with some NEW. What price are we looking at? any ideas

[@GxAce]

I’m assuming the price will be around $200-300. Their previous lens, the 50mm 1.1 was $400, so this has to be cheaper.

[@iamsimonmorris]

Great News Indeed

[@jyangphotoatx]

Did you calibrate it or just used it straight out of box?

[@GxAce]

Mine was calibrated correctly out of the box, but I've heard other people had to calibrate it. Its pretty easy to do though, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Its just loosening two screws and rotating a ring slightly and then tightening the screws again.

[@hw7504]

Nice overview! Been super curious about 7Artisans and the character they bring to the table. Unrelated note, what brand/cap/hat is that your model is wearing at 4:28?

[@GxAce]

H W Thanks! I’m not sure if the brand of hat but it is the official hat of the SXSW film festival.

[@6wop]

hey man great video, which leica mount for fuji do you recommend?

[@GxAce]

I have one of the macro focus adapters. That make every lens have a much shorter minimum focus distance. It's awesome: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575382649&toolid=10001&campid=5338289885&customid=&mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FAdapter-for-Leica-M-LM-Zeiss-ZM-Voigtlander-VM-Lens-to-Fujifilm-Fuji-X-FX-Camera%2F184349865377%3F_trkparms%3Daid%253D1110012%2526algo%253DSPLICE.SOIPOST%2526ao%253D1%2526asc%253D20200420083544%2526meid%253D06d6e07c59024ee1aea3966dede4b5fd%2526pid%253D100008%2526rk%253D1%2526rkt%253D12%2526sd%253D174335626543%2526itm%253D184349865377%2526pmt%253D1%2526noa%253D0%2526pg%253D2047675%2526algv%253DPromotedSellersOtherItemsV2%26_trksid%3Dp2047675.c100008.m2219

[@Raychristofer]

Hello, great video, Linda's are one of my favorite things to review. One thing that turns me off about rangefinders is you can't see what the lens is doing as you're composing, for example those flares that you got, when I'm using my mirrorless camera I usually look for things like that before pressing the shutter although sometimes I'm looking for a flare for artistic reasons.Does that aspect of rangefinders ever turn you off?

[@GxAce]

Raychristofer I enjoy rangefinders over SLR film cameras because I love that the viewfinder is on the far left of the camera body because I can brace the camera on the bridge of my nose to help keep it steady. I also like that it’s much easier to tell if something is in focus with a rangefinder. I however often use the EVF on my Xpro 2 and don’t use the optical viewfinder often. I’d probably use it more it it was an actual rangefinder

[@Vingt100yip]

Hi Casey, I noticed you also reviewed the Minolta Rokkor 40/2. How would say it compare to the 7artisans 35/2?

[@GxAce]

I think it is sharper than the 40mm, but the bokeh on the 40mm is a little different.

[@Gobbledy.gook.]

Does anyone know if this will work on a canon p?

[@GxAce]

Unfortunately not as the canon p is LTM mount. You can however mount LTM Lenses on m-mount cameras/adapters

[@Gobbledy.gook.]

@@GxAce Thanks for the reply! That clears things up, thank you!

[@adamg.manning6088]

Hi mate. Great video. I really liked your 50mm video too. Can I ask, does your aperture ring flex ever-so-slightly at the 2 mark? Mine has a tiny bit of flex at that end but not at the 16 end. I don't think it's anything that will cause problems but I was just hoping for some other people's experience. Cheers. Keep up the great videos, I also followed you on Instagram!

[@GxAce]

Adam G. Manning mine does not have any flex :/. Thanks for the follow and the kind words!

[@johnxmzzhang]

Hey what camera strap are you rockin in this video? I am looking for something just like that for my camera.

[@TheAlexstam]

I am a fuji user and i was looking to this lens or the 7artisans 35mm f1.2 .. after your review i assume that this lens must be sharper than the f1.2

[@GxAce]

Alexis Stamatopoulos I would definitely say so. It also has better looking bokeh in my opinion.

[@FraserzhuEd]

Love the review mate. What’s the price?

[@GxAce]

Fraser Zhu thanks!! The price is not yet set but expect it to be less than $400

[@ralphcedricbasco278]

What film camera is at 3:52 ?

[@GxAce]

Its a Kodak Retina IIIc. An awesome little folding rangefinder with an amazing Schneider 50mm f/2

[@ralphcedricbasco278]

GxAce thank you! I love shooting in film and when I saw the camera, I loved it! I would definitely get one if the price is right.

[@GxAce]

You can find them for around $100 on ebay goo.gl/dVP1Td

[@GxAce]

Its a great little camera. The viewfinder is a littler dark but otherwise its great. Keep an eye on my channel because I'll be doing a review of it soon.

[@MLGB0Yz]

My name is Robby, so when I saw the cross, I freaked out lol

[@milodermick2981]

Seems to be a Good lens

[@GxAce]

It's great!!

[@dennislam8102]

other recommendation for leica 50mm lens？

[@vincerunnerretrobikevince4212]

Good concise useful review. Thank you!

[@BrainDesmo]

Nice man, keep it up!

[@GxAce]

Thanks for watching!!

[@marcp.1752]

Thanks for the video, i do think it'll do nicely with a LTM - eMount Adapter onto the Sony A7 Series.

[@GxAce]

Marc P. It works great on the a7!

[@marcp.1752]

I do hope so. Some lenses aren't, especially very wide angle lenses, because of the relative thick OLPF Stack

[@BillNessworthyPhotography]

LTM is the old screw mount - this lens is Leica M. You want a LM-NEX adapter

[@GxAce]

Technically an LTM mount would be more versatile since you could use it on old LTM rangefinders and still adapt it to M-Mount and so on.

[@marcp.1752]

I do know all of this for decades, and have a decent LTM to eMount adapter, thanks

[@pinocchio1027]

When can i got this ???

[@GxAce]

pinocchio1027 it will be available around Mid-May!

[@jgrzinich]

There is also the newer 35mm f/1.2 version by 7Artisans. I wonder how it compares to this.

[@zguy95135]

I wonder how much this will be when it comes out, looking for a f2 35mm mount has been pretty discouraging. Although the barrel distortion and flaring is kind of a turn off

[@AndresRuiz-gs8vm]

Aren't Fuji lenses basically like this 7artisans/voightlander lenses but with good flare resistance. The lack of flare resistance is the #1 reason I'm not getting this. I feel like others will agree with me.

[@GxAce]

To each their own! I love flaring as it gives more character to the image, but I can totally appreciate complete contrast and sharpness. They each have their own place! Thanks for watching.

[@Chris-ey7zy]

Flares are great for high fashion photography and street photography. They give it less clinical look

[@CreativeLeadershipwithDaniel]

is it possible to calibrate the focus with an Xpro2. I have heard it could come with a little offset of the focus and that is the only thing that has kept me from getting it for my M6.

[@MaestroDK]

4:06 - that has to be the worst bokeh I've ever seen...

[@GxAce]

To each their own my friend!

[@Chris-ey7zy]

It’s got weird bokeh. It makes it interesting for me. I never expect wide angle lenses to have smooth Bokeh anyways unless 12 or 1.4

[@MaestroDK]

@@Chris-ey7zy I love old school bokeh, for example like the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 or Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 (own both). But this lens here... my eyes actually hurt because it is trying to focus on background *G*

[@Chris-ey7zy]

@@MaestroDK i have voigtlander 35mm 1.2. Many others with 1.2 85mm canon. Portrait lenses i expect smooth bokeh. Wide angle lenses tend to make scenes more dynamic. Dynamic bokeh seems more normal fit wide angles for me

[@liu22]

Ann Arbor?

[@GxAce]

Indeed!

[@liu22]

Cool. I really enjoy your videos and photos. I live in Ann Arbor and I also shoot film a lot.

[@liu22]

I just followed your ins. You post a lot pics taken in China. Very interesting pics

[@GxAce]

@@liu22 Thank you! I was just in Ningbo for a month visiting a friend. My last two videos were all shot in China :)

[@manuel2941]

How much..???

[@GxAce]

Manuel Morales $280

[@songjoseph3314]

For leica user, Buy a zeiss c biogon 35 f2.8 asap, it has everything you want.

[@GxAce]

Has everything I want except being f/2.8 :P

[@songjoseph3314]

GxAce that lens is really amazing about the size, the natural color and so compact. Great for daytime use. But after 6pm probably you have to take your 50 1.4 out of your bag.

[@henricspeng6732]

​@@GxAce But this Chinese Cron is just one stop faster, not even compact, and the price ain't so cheap. I'd but a VM35/2.5 for much better IQ and much smaller size, but very similar price.

[@henricspeng6732]

​@@GxAce I'd buy one if it has either smallest F/22 or biggest F/1.4.

[@moilami1]

No go, hate barrel distortion.

[@eddymaddix1786]

"Jump zooms" e.g. 4:11 to 4:16 are really irritating.

[@GxAce]

eddy maddix I believe they make an ointment for that!

[@eddymaddix1786]

I tried using it but it still looks crap.

[@rogerboucher1913]

GxAce 😂😘 love that humour!

[@krishartsphotography5643]

Nice & Thanks :)

[@GxAce]

krish arts & photography thank you!

[@crysistec]

China cron funniest shit ever

[@rdelprin]

don't shine that in my face......

[@GxAce]

Sorry!!

[@WayneKnight_Rider]

if it wasn't for that barrel distortion, i'd be in.

[@charruaporelmundo]

Just discover this lens exist!... will need to test it on my a7iii+ techart pro! . Anyone did try it already?

[@ressoond2427]

For the price. Get a Jupiter 3 instead. I got the 35mm f2 reviewed here, it is just ok....

[@GxAce]

Very different lens my friend!

[@ressoond2427]

GxAce Yep. I got both. But for an art lens below $500 Jupiter 3 is hard to beat. For 7 artisan the 50mm is really not bad, I like it more than the 35mm.

[@Chris-xx80]

Sonnar...not sonar. That drove me crazy. Anyway, great video and overview of the lens. Thanks!

[@Ondrej84]

It's called DEPTH OF FIELD scale 🤦‍♂️

[@GxAce]

it can be referred to as both, but the technical term is hyperfocal distance scale ;)

[@Ondrej84]

@@GxAce it's dof, because the lines are both sides of the center.