I just bought this lens. My copy has problems. Starting from less severe to more severe: 1) There is some field curvature. Focus in middle, and all corners are soft at all aperture settings. Focus in corner, then center is soft. 2) My copy has very poor contrast from f/1.8 to f/2. 3) And my copy has extreme center softness (only right in the center) at f/8 to f/16. Off center, it is much sharper, so this isn't just diffraction. Conclusion: Basically, the lens is usable from only f/2.8 to f/5.6. There is no sign of damage. And the focus and aperture rings both turn butter smooth. Perhaps I have a bad copy, but I'm recommending to avoid it.
This is my first manual lens which taught me a lot about manual focusing. After that I bought the 7artisans 55mm and 35mm which is equally great. You should review the 55mm
On more great moment with this lens: look to the distance scale ring - there is a mark 5m. Its mean you can set it fast and clear. And at F8 you will get hyper focal from 2.2m to infinity, and even at F5.6 you have a sharp area from 2.63m to 50.3m, which is more then enough for shoot at street. Unfortunately, 99% of modern zooms or fix lenses doesn't give us this.
Hi Koba. I was enthusiastic about the depth of focus scale but have found it to be completely false on my copy. At the hyperfocal f8 setting which it claims gives 2.2 feet (not metres!) to infinity in focus I get approximately 1.5 feet to 4 feet! Obviously mine is out of whack but even so compared to the markings on a Zeiss Distagon 25mm the 7 Artisans lens is ridiculously optimistic in how much would be in focus. I'd be interested to know how you get on with a real world test of the lens. I am not complaining about the lens. I am loving the rendering. Compared to the Fuji 27mm f2.8 the out of focus areas are dreamy. That lens is sharp (cue Ken's parrot) but with lower image fidelity than the 7artisans. I am beginning to understand what Ken has been banging on about all these years... I think.
I can't trust your lens reviews. Back in 2016 you reviewed the 23 f2 and sang its praises over and over, absolute necessity, exquisite, the sharpness, oh my god the sharpness, insanely sharp. Now today, "you have to stop down to 5.6 to get any sharpness out of that sucker." I think you fall in love with new releases and out again later on. That's ok, just qualify your remarks, you hold yourself up as an expert and there is no consistency in your comments. Which is it?
I found the remark about the 23mm f/2 odd as well. Funnily enough, he explicitly says he doesn't suffer from NTS - New Toy Syndrome - on that particular video.
I use to own the 23mm f2. Not on Ken’s recommendation, I just like the 35mm equivalent focal length. After 9 months of ownership I sold it. Very disappointing from f2-f4, specially at close focus distance. Other than that, I found it extremely sharp from 5.6-f11. As for the 7artisan lens, Luckily for me, I got one on amazon today that offers free returns and one day shipping. Funny enough, there were 16 left this morning and now it’s about a 2-6 week wait to receive one....🤔
@@MrRoyGS my experience with it has generally been very good. I usually look at lenstip for reviews and my experience with the 23 f2 mirrors their's. Great sharpness wide open (relatively speaking) peaking at f4. Close up is an issue before 5.6, but I don't use it that way very often so yes, I could see it if that is how you use it. I now have the 16-55 2.8 and will probably be selling it as I don't see the need for both. I've been really impressed with the 50mm f2.
@@MrRoyGS You probably had bad copy .Mini 23 is razor sharp at any aperture , except some softness at f2 only at minimum focus distance, for which this lens is also not made.
@@eagleeyephoto8715 Or maybe you and Ken got anomalously great copies. Either way, Ken now offhandedly saying the 23 F2 needs to be stopped down to 5.6 to get any sharpness, after touting it as a must buy due to SHARPNESS, needs some further clarification. Otherwise, the only difference between Ken and the other photog reviewers is that he hoards more lenses. My harshness is a measure of my trust in Ken's expertise. He is normally spot on, so when he gets it wrong, it is glaring.
Just ordered a used version + a hood and uv filter.. $77 normally I wouldn’t trust these cheap lenses but if you give a 10/10 I’ll buy it and the vid hasn’t even finished yet lmao
Got mine on Amazon 8% off courtesy of a digital coupon. Comes in on Thursday. This is my first off of one of Ken’s recommendations and it comes at a good time because I’ve been getting ready to buy a Fujinon 23 f2. Looking forward to this one.
I got one of these along with an X-E2S that I bought a while back. I really have to agree with everything that you said about it - much sharper than I might have expected, great feel, and focus peaking is flawless! Oh - and I bought the $6.49 lens hood. :)
Bought the lens and love it. Incredibly sharp (almost a magnifying glass), great colors, and that little something extra. But the flaring really messes up a lot of pictures. I have many lenses and none have such harsh flares. All it takes is a small light source around the subject, and boom. A lens hood only helps occasionally. Still, it's a lot of fun with fantastic results when everything is just right.
Just recieved this lense this morning, OMG its actually quite amazing. Purchased the 50mm purely on your recommendation and am more than happy. Thank you, fantastic lense on my XT2.
Hi Ken, thanks for the review. I looked this bad boy up online and retailer claims the optics are 5 elements in 3 groups while the 7ARTISANS versions listed on Amazon are apparently ''7 elements in 5 groups''. But they do look similar, very strange. I bought one listed on ebay for 55 bucks brand new, CHEAAAAP
This was my first lens for my fuji. I just got my xpro1 last year and bought the 7artisans 25mm, its been great! I also just recently got the fuji 50mm f2. But I love that 25mm focal length though. The . focus peaking works great with it.
Got one coming... I am new to the Fujifilm ecosystem, and have been having fun fitting vintage lenses, but I had decided I wanted a 25mm... Your review and the current price of the Pergear made me push the shutter button on this one.
The 50mm is crap so soft. F2 is good up to F4 then it’s just horrible the centre is so soft and it gets worse the smaller the aperture. Christopher Frost said the same.
I could see myself getting this only because its small and could easily fit in the nooks and crannies of a bag. But since I regularly carry my 23 f/1.4 I doubt this would get much use.
Hello. Because of this review, I bought this lens for Fuji XT20. You are correct on all accounts about this lens! It is an absolute gem! It's easy to use, built well (tough), produces incredible images, and is cheap! Thank you again for an excellent review.
Hi Ken, thank you for another fun review. This lens isn't the same lens with a different name as the 7artisans' version, no? The one sold by Amazon has 5 elements in 3 groups, and 7artisans' copy has 7 elements in 6. I found other Web sites which support this. Which one are you reviewing? The 5-element 3-group one; or the 7-element 6-group?
Seen some reports about the light transmission of this lens being way off (about -1 EV) compared to Fujinon lenses and even the 7artisans 25mm. Can you confirm this?
I bought one a few weeks ago off Amazon, and apart from quite a bit of barrel distortion when focused close - hey! It’s not a macro lens, ok?- I have been very pleased with the results and have to ask, why are Voigtlander (Cosina) lenses as expensive as they are? 1. Leica would get very pissed with them if they were any cheaper, and 2. Profit. The Chinese have made a range of lenses that should make the Japanese and Germans worry a bit.
Hi Ken, in China it (7artisans 25mm 1.8) cost 62 USD, and people say its an expensive price for lens by chinese manufacturer, but its a popular lens inside China, as I can see by sales statistic of it. I also have one for my Fujifilm camera, but we never say something good about it because of its a chinese lens and now if you say something good about anything from China, people will attack you. But its give me very artistic results in some situations, very artistic bokeh too (it has 12 blades and just 18cm minimum focus distance). Its possible to buy for x-mount, for 4/3, Sony E-mount and Canon M-mount. And in China all that versions cost same - 62 USD. Some people inside CHina say it also has 1 or 2 cristal glass inside.
But what about compared to the 27mm Fuji pancake that’s glued on my x-e3? Still worth trying out? More character? Surprised you didn’t compare to the pancake.
Some factual errors here -- it's 5 elements in 3 groups (not 7), and it's 12 aperture blades (not 10). You should check out Dustin Abbot's review if you want to know more about the actual optical performance. It seems that everyone agrees that this is a great lens though, and much better than the Meike/Neewer/7Artisans offerings at the same focal length and speed.
Now I think we must call to 7artisans and ask them to make same quality lens but 16mm, maybe F2.0 or even F2.8, but for 100 USD, 150 will be also OK. With wide distannce scale ring and marks for 1m, 2m and 3 meters...
@@KenTheoriaApophasis I cheked it now, I live in China long time... 7artisans is a Shenzhen company, very small company, they order the glasses for lenses to one Shanghai optical glass manufacturer, and another company polishing that glasses, and guys from 7artisans just assembling them in their really small factory. Now there working about 20 workers. If you see, some their lenses have a yellow MC, in that lenses they use crystal glasses, but that lenses cost 135 USD or more.
Is Pergear same as 7artisans or its two different things? (You telling about Pergear but link goes to 7 artisans) And would be great to see those photos you showing on your screen on our screens too ))
The 22mm is a different lens... they actually have a 25mm version identical to this one. I've read the 22m is actually a better lens, but it's more pricey.
The Zonlai is super sharp, has very close focusing and is also a superb black and white lens. I think I prefer it to the Fuji 23 f2 which is three times more expensive.
The Raynox macro adapters will directly screw into this lens making it into a handy little macro lens also. The excellent focus peaking really helps to dial in the focus with such a limited depth of field also.
Several years ago, I took XT20 with Fuji 23mm f/2, a small package, preset manually at f8 and onward. I walked around Hong Kong and did street photography. The photos are insanely sharp. The way I see it, 23mm/f2 is a street photographers haven especially when you don't want to be noticed. It is a good buy. I wouldn't take 23mm/1.4 with me.
Yours looks different than mine...Mine is all black and has an issue where you turn the focusing ring until it stops, it then produces a “click” and turns about 1mm more. Other than that I’ve always been happy with it.
I'm an idiot who lost his X-E2 recently, this is just adding salt to the wound :( I loved to use cheap manual focus lenses like this on it! Did you ever try the Zonlai 22mm f/1.8? It was another fantastic little lens for the system that I used almost all the time!
Its a shame you did not mention that the quality control is all over the place, if you get one that does not fall apart after a few months you are lucky, most good reviews will agree.
Hi,Ken! This one is my first lens bought by your recomendation, and seems it works good for me. You shown Pergear 25 1.8 in your video and i went straight for it because 7artisans is a different lens with many build quality issues stated. Focuse peaking is great comparing to different soviet trash like Helois 44-whatever Industar 50 or 26, or Jupiter 8 that has a great boke but you have no fkn clue if you hit the eye with lenses DOF or not. Only Jupiter-37 135 do have good peaking out of my humble collection. So yeah, thanks alot for that lens, even my wife did the manual ficusing right with peaking on that little gem. I can shoot it wide open, sharp in 70%of the frame, dont care about extreme corners. And bokeh/picture is like those old good lenses with caracter, but sharp, easy peaking, no adapters, compact, light... You are right, thanks man!
My experience, having purchased more than a few things on AliExpress over the last ~5 years is that with some research one can often find some real gems at incredible value. However, it does require some RU-vid sleuthing, beforehand. For instance, I have purchased some very nice every-day carry knives on AliEx, from certain manufacturers (i.e. CH, Y-start, Kizer) that are of high precision, quality materials, and original design; from being centered, smooth, with quality (well sharpened) steel (M390, D2), machined pocket clips made of Ti, frames of quality Ti, steel on steel locking inserts, ceramic ball bearings...all the bells and whistles one would expect from US or EU knives costing 3-4x the price. It does not surprise me that China is entering the lens market with some quality products at compelling prices. They certainly have demonstrated the manufacturing knowledge and quality systems to do this properly...after all, it was western companies that invested heavily to get them there...at the cost of jobs in the USA and EU, of course. Frankly, under Biden and the Great Reset, this trend will only accelerate.
I came across this review when viewing another one of your reviews. When I saw the "$70 must own" I knew it must be the 25mm Pergear. I heard about Pergear and thought I would investigate it further. I found the 25mm lens on eBay for about $60 and ordered it. I especially like the 25mm range since it sits between 23mm and 28mm. Ironically, the filter used for it costs about half as much as the lens itself. This lens is one of five "go to" lenses when traveling. It has a small footprint, takes amazing photos, and fills a niche in terms of focal range. It is a keeper.
I ordered a used tx1 then was looking for a small lense. Saw it and looked up your vision. Great. I'm ordering one. Thanks so much for all your wisdom. I nailed it on eBay for $55
Is the 7artisan actually the same lens? You mentioned a 43mm cap. Pergear has 43mm filter size. 7artisan has 46mm. There’s also a Neewer branded 25mm/1.8 with the same 46mm filter.
Theoria Apophasis isn’t the cap the same size as the filter size? All these lens are 25mm/1.8 but clearly showing different filter sizes so it doesn’t seem like the Pergear is identical to the 7artisan. This looks more like the one in your video www.pergear.com/collections/lens/products/pergear-25mm-f1-8-manual-focus-prime-fixed-lens?variant=31263903449186
Also, the physical design of the Pergear-labelled 25mm f/1.8 lens is quite different than the 7artisans. It actually looks far more like the 7artisans 35mm f/1.2. The 7artisans 25mm f1.8 listes on the Pregear web site looks identical to my 7artisans copy. I believe they're different lenses, and actually, I wasn't all that impressed by the 7artisans. The 35mm and 55mm are better.
Can't wait to buy one, someone stole my 23mm f2...thanks as always, you are the man! I would much rather take a chance on this lens than buy six friends burger king.
I have the 35mm f1.2 and it’s pretty good too, it’s got character, nice swirly bokeh wide open with a lot of vignetting. Have you tried it yet, if yes then please share your thoughts on it I’d love to hear your opinion because I value your insight and trust your knowledge and experience base as you’ve proven time and time again you know your shit and you speak the truth
You give a lot of great recommendations for alternative lenses that have good micro contrast and more "charecter" but heard recommendations from you on wider lenses. What are the best 35mm equl. lens on Fujifilm X (adopted or not)? Thanks!
I always look on line at photos taken with a lens before purchase. Looks good, especially the B and W. However I already own a Voitlander in that size and it is one of my favorites.
Purchased it based on your review. The lens arrived with a fairly large shard (of metal?) inside. Focusing feels like grinding. Unacceptable, even for a lens within this price range. Quality control subpar. Returning it straight away. Lesson learned.
@@KenTheoriaApophasis The second lens I just received has a dent on the inside barrel. Second bad copy. Still proves nothing I guess. Frustrating though ;)
Got the lens today. Amazon delivered in one day! So I know it has a clickless aperture ring. Just curious, is there any way to make it click? I really only shoot stills so I prefer that. Either way its a cute little lens and when I enable focus peaking it works great. Stuck it on my X-E3. Will compare it to the XF 27/2.8 that I have. Ken, so have you looked at any of their other lenses to see what you like?
I owned the 7artisans which has 7 elements in 6 groups, PerGear says 5 Elements in 3 Groups, so I don't think they are the same. Build quality on the 7artisans was not impressive, and it seemed to enhance midtones, which made it look more punchy in b/w images, but kinda off in color. The focus was VERY grindy. But yes, it was very sharp in the center. And what's with the Fujinon 23mm f2 not being sharp until 5.6, in your review of that lens you said it was exquisite.
I received this lens this week. But it looks like there is an error on the focus ring. The values of FT and M do not seem to correspond to reality. For example, I focus on a subject 1 FT (30cm) away from the camera, then the focus ring indicates a higher value of 2.5 ft (76cm) Or do i mis something here.
I guess I had a bad copy... the corners were so bad, it looked like there was grease on the corners. I traded it for a meike 35mm f1.7 love that one! You should try that one to :-)
Great value lens, can be very sharp. Agree, does really well for black and white.. But please check for fungus and unidentified gunk straight out the box..
This one has been out for quite a while now, brotha! Lots of similar copies from different brands, too. Check out the Zonlai lenses, I think they also have a version of this lens. Thanks for the review, nice this piece of glass is getting the Angry Photographer stamp of approval. 🤙
You should try to review voigtlander 50mm apo f/2. Read and heard that it is superb. Know it's available in Sony mount, but don't know if they make it in other mounts as well
Ken, that is really amazing. I use my old Fujinons with the old X-mount on my X-T1. Have you ever tried the EBC X-Fujinon 1:1.6 f=50 mm DM and if so, what do you think of it?
Currently sold out on B&H. Will have to wait until they re-stock. Update: I finally bought one off of B&H. Fingers crossed on getting a good copy of this lens.
Hi Ken,you've had so many lenses pass through your hands and you buy the ones you recommend. How do you decide which ones to try out before making the purchase? Probably not MTF charts. What do you look for when considering if it's even worth your time to test it out?
This is my favorite lens for my xt3 I almost have all the lenses for x mount and this one if on 80% of the time.. I am also doing a review on the 7 artisan line soon.. the only thing I notice about 7 artisan lenses is the screws for the mount get loose... Happened like 4 times so far
My experience with this lens is good contrast, decent resolution in the near field that goes to poop at infinity. But quality control being that it is, it could be my sample.
Hi Theoria if you already own a 35mm is 25mm really a good idea? I wanted something wider but this seems quite close to the 35mm? And have you heard about the Zonlai 22mm 1.8 and the Kamlan 21mm 1.8? Hope you can try and review these as well.
Ken...I see them online. One is labeled with Pergear and another 7Artisans. Is there a difference? I noticed in video you said it was made by 7Artisans...but is it the same as the one labeled as Pergear on front of lens?
Thanks. No need for sassy. Cause the specs you gave on RU-vid didn’t match. You said 7 elements also 10 blades. The link you added to you RU-vid directs us to the “7Artisans” marked lens. When I looked up the pergear marked lens on Amazon it says 5 elements and 3 groups with 12 blades. That’s why I asked you to be sure. Sorry.
Guys, mine flares like a mofo. I have 5 types of lens hoods, none make any difference. Has a sort of ghosting effect while used :/. I wonder if I got a bad copy. It is sharp, has nice rendition, great built quality, smooth focus and looks amazing on the XE2. But the flaring, hot spot in the center ruins the contrast. And no, I'm not pointing it at the sun...
I literally just sold mine yesterday. The ghosting was simply too much for me to handle (lens hoods didn't help). Mine also started to experience crazing. If you take a look under bright light from the rear of the lens, you'll see straight lines etched in the glass. That is the cheap lens coating cracking. The lens did well indoors with controlled lighting like a flash but outside it was hit or miss with the flare/ghosting.
@@parranoic Yeah, I experienced indoors as well but I made a conscious decision to check for ghosting first and to shoot above f5.6 indoors. Anything below that had a good chance of ghosting.
Always look forward to your videos so thank you for the entertainment. I will say the actual lens in question sure is confusing. Amazon has both the pergear at 5 groups and 7artisans at 7 groups. The pergear site shows the same and their 7artisans version is more expensive. Some of these have a raised grip focus ring (pergear) and some smooth(7artisans). Guess I will reach out to them but i have never seen so much confusion over a lens both from me and the comments on the video. Thanks again though...appreciated the review!
Can I ask you about these 3 lenses. Basically the same lens but from 3 different sellers/manufacturers. Samyang 24 mm F1.4 Manual Focus Lens for Sony-E $454.00... Rokinon 24mm F1.4 ED AS IF UMC Wide Angle Lens for Sony E-Mount (NEX) Cameras (RK24M-E)... $499. The Sigma lens is like $300.00 more. For the price and manufacturer which one would be the best bet. I have the Sony-Zeiss 24-70mm F4... great lens for my needs. I need a 24mm F1.4 for doing live streaming meteor showers. I want to bring the ISO down.
Hi Barney, I just bought a XPro1 and looking to buy a fist lense for it. Did you get yours? I am looking at the 35mm as I already have a X100T with the 23(eqv 35). Cheers from Switzerland
