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7 Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens Review

We've put the 7 Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens to the test and we're here to share our findings. This ultra-wide angle lens is designed for Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras, offering exceptional image quality and versatility. With its compact and lightweight design, it's perfect for travel photography. Plus, its all-metal construction ensures durability and a smooth touch. Join us as we dive into the details and explore why this lens is a top choice for photographers seeking control and stunning shots.

Key Takeaways

  • The 7 Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens is a manual focus prime lens designed for Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras.
  • It features a wide angle of view of 100°, allowing for a wider perspective in photos.
  • The lens is constructed with 12 glass elements in 10 groups, ensuring good image quality and clarity.
  • It has a compact and lightweight design, making it convenient for travel.

Key Features

One of the key features of the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens is its compatibility with Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras. This means that it can be easily used with cameras such as the NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-C3, NEX-7, NEX-5N, NEX-F3, and NEX-5R. As a manual focus lens, it gives users complete control over their shots, allowing them to adjust the focus precisely to their liking. However, it is important to note that the camera's 'Release w/o Lens' function needs to be turned on for proper functionality. With its ultra-wide-angle capability of 12mm, this lens provides a wider perspective and captures stunning images with a longer depth of field. The 12 glass elements in 10 groups ensure excellent image quality, producing clear and sharp results. Additionally, the compact and lightweight design makes it convenient for travel, while the all-metal construction gives it a premium feel.

Features Overview

Let's take a look at the specs of the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens. This ultra wide-angle lens is compatible with Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras and features a 12 glass element construction. With an aperture range from F2.8 to F16 and an angle of view of 100°, this lens offers great versatility for capturing a wide range of subjects.

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Specs

The lens specifications for the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ include a 12 glass element construction, an aperture range of F2.8 to F16, and a 100° angle of view. With these features, the lens offers a wide perspective and allows for capturing surprise images with its longer depth of field. The lens is constructed of 12 glass elements in 10 groups, ensuring good image quality and clear, sharp images. Additionally, the lens has a closest focusing distance of 5.9 inches and a filter diameter of 67mm. Its compact and lightweight design makes it convenient for travel, and the all-metal construction provides a smooth touch feeling. The lens is compatible with Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras and functions as a manual focus lens. To ensure proper camera functionality, the 'Release w/o Lens' function needs to be turned on.

Pros & Cons

Now let's talk about the pros and cons of the 7 Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens. There are several things we like about this lens, such as its ultra wide angle that provides a wider perspective and the compact and lightweight design that makes it convenient for travel. However, there are also a few improvement suggestions to consider, such as the manual focus which may not be ideal for beginners and the need to turn on the 'Release w/o Lens' function for proper camera functionality.

What We Like

We appreciate the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens for its compatibility with Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras and its wide angle perspective. Here are some of the things we like about this lens:

  • Excellent compatibility with Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.
  • The wide angle perspective of 12mm allows for capturing a wider view, expanding the creative possibilities and enabling stunning landscape and architectural shots.
  • The all-metal design of the lens not only gives it a premium look and feel but also ensures durability and longevity.

With these features, photographers can have full control over their shots, capturing intricate details and expansive scenes with ease. The lens's compatibility, wide angle perspective, and sturdy construction make it a reliable choice for photographers who desire control over their images.

Improvement Suggestions

Continuing our assessment, let's delve into the pros and cons of the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens. Here are some improvement suggestions to consider:

Pros:

  • Exceptional wide-angle perspective for capturing expansive scenes and architecture.
  • Compact and lightweight design makes it convenient for travel and on-the-go shooting.
  • All-metal construction provides a solid and durable feel.

Cons:

  • Manual focus only, which may require more time and precision.
  • Limited aperture range of F2.8 to F16 may not provide enough flexibility in low-light situations.
  • Some users have reported slight distortion at the edges of the frame.

While the lens offers impressive wide-angle capabilities and a robust build, it may not be the best choice for those who require autofocus or desire a wider aperture range. However, for photographers who value control and are willing to invest the time in manual focusing, the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens can deliver excellent results.

Ideal use cases

The lens's wide angle and sharp image quality make it an ideal choice for photographers looking to capture expansive landscapes or architectural shots. With its ultra wide angle of view and excellent optical structure, this lens allows for stunningly detailed and clear images. Whether you're trying to capture the vastness of a mountain range or the intricate details of a building, this lens will deliver. Its manual focus feature gives photographers full control over their shots, allowing them to precisely focus on the desired subject and achieve the desired depth of field. Additionally, its compact and lightweight design makes it convenient for travel, ensuring that you can always have this versatile lens by your side.

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Purchase Recommendation

Based on its wide angle capabilities and exceptional image quality, we highly recommend the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens for photographers seeking to capture expansive landscapes or architectural shots. This lens offers a 100° angle of view, allowing you to capture a wider perspective of the scene. The optical structure ensures good image quality, with clear and sharp results. The all-metal design not only provides a smooth touch feeling but also makes the lens durable and reliable. With its compact and lightweight design, weighing only 0.66 pounds, it is convenient for travel and outdoor photography. The lens is compatible with Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras, and although it is a manual focus lens, it provides full functionality when the 'Release w/o Lens' function is turned on. Overall, the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens is a great choice for photographers who desire control and want to capture stunning wide-angle shots.

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FAQ's

Now let's address some frequently asked questions about the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens. We'll cover topics such as lens compatibility with Sony E-Mount APS-C cameras, ensuring proper camera functionality, the wide angle perspective provided by the lens, the assurance of image quality, and the lens's portability and design. So, if you have any questions in these areas, keep reading for the answers you're looking for.

Lens Compatibility With Sony E-Mount APS-C Cameras

We've received several frequently asked questions regarding the lens compatibility with Sony E-mount APS-C cameras. Here are some key points to keep in mind. The Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens is specifically designed for Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras, including models such as NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-C3, NEX-7, NEX-5N, NEX-F3, and NEX-5R. It is important to note that this is a manual focus lens, so you will have complete control over your image. To ensure proper camera functionality, make sure to turn on the "Release w/o Lens" function in your camera settings. The lens comes with an instruction manual for easy setup and operation. With its ultra-wide angle of 12mm, this lens provides a wider perspective, allowing you to capture stunning images with a longer depth of field. The lens is constructed with 12 glass elements in 10 groups, ensuring excellent image quality with clear and sharp results. Its compact and lightweight design, weighing only 0.66 pounds, makes it convenient for travel. The lens features an all-metal design, giving it a premium feel.

Proper Camera Functionality

To ensure proper camera functionality with the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens, it is important to turn on the 'Release w/o Lens' function in your Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless camera settings. This function allows you to use the lens even though it is a manual focus lens. By activating this feature, you gain control over your camera settings and can fully utilize the capabilities of the lens. Without enabling the 'Release w/o Lens' function, your camera may not recognize the lens, resulting in limited functionality and potential errors. To avoid any inconvenience, refer to your camera's user manual or settings menu to locate and enable this function. Once activated, you can confidently explore the wide-angle capabilities of the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens and capture stunning images with precision and control.

Wide Angle Perspective

One common question regarding the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens is about its wide angle perspective. Many photographers desire control over the perspective of their images, especially when shooting landscapes or architecture. The 12mm focal length of this lens provides an ultra wide angle view, allowing you to capture a wider perspective of the scene. With an angle of view of 100°, you can fit more into your frame, resulting in expansive and immersive images. The longer depth of field offered by this lens also allows for capturing surprise elements in your photos. The optical structure of the lens ensures good image quality, with clear and sharp results. So, if you're looking for a lens that offers a wide angle perspective with excellent image quality, the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ lens is a great option.

Image Quality Assurance

Now let's delve into the topic of image quality assurance with some frequently asked questions. How can I ensure that the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens delivers high-quality images? Firstly, the lens is constructed with 12 glass elements in 10 groups, ensuring optimal optical structure for good image quality. Additionally, the lens captures clear and sharp images, thanks to its advanced design. Can I rely on this lens for professional photography? Absolutely! The lens provides a wide angle perspective of 12mm, allowing you to capture a wider view and create stunning visual compositions. Its longer depth of field also enables you to capture unexpected and impactful images. Lastly, the lens's all-metal design not only adds to its durability but also gives it a smooth touch feeling, making it a pleasure to use.

Portability and Design

Continuing our discussion on the portability and design of the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens, let's address some frequently asked questions.

  1. Is the lens lightweight and compact?

Yes, the lens weighs only 0.66 pounds and has compact dimensions of 2.39 x 2.75 x 2.75 inches. It is designed to be convenient for travel, allowing you to carry it easily without adding much weight to your camera setup.

  1. What is the build quality of the lens?

The lens features an all-metal design that not only enhances its durability but also provides a good touch feeling. The construction is sturdy, ensuring that the lens can withstand regular use and possible rough handling.

  1. Can the lens be used with other camera brands?

No, the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens is specifically designed for Sony E-mount APS-C Mirrorless cameras. It is not compatible with cameras from other brands.

Helpful Resources

While researching the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens, we found several helpful resources that provided valuable information about its features and performance. One of the most useful resources was the official website of 7artisans, the manufacturer of the lens. Their website offered detailed specifications, compatibility information, and even customer reviews. We also came across several online photography forums where professional photographers shared their experiences and opinions about the lens. These forums provided insights into the lens's image quality, sharpness, and overall performance. Additionally, we found YouTube videos that showcased sample images taken with the lens, allowing us to visually assess its capabilities. Overall, these resources proved instrumental in our research and helped us gain a comprehensive understanding of the Artisans 12mm F2.8 Mark Ⅱ Lens before making a purchasing decision.

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