Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.8

Focal length: 12 mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Weight: 550 g
Filter diameter: –
Min. focus distance: 24 cm
Length: 96.6 mm

Overview

The Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.8 is a manual focus full frame ultra wide prime for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF and Leica L mount. It was announced in April 2025 and is aimed at landscape, architecture, street and astrophotography. According to the manufacturer it covers a 122.5 degree angle of view, which is very wide for a full frame prime.

Optical design

The manufacturer manual lists 15 elements in 11 groups. The design includes two aspherical, two high refractive and two ED elements, and near zero distortion is named as a design goal. The aperture range is F2.8 to F16, the diaphragm has 5 blades, and the closest focusing distance is 0.24 m.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual, and the aperture ring is clicked. The lens has no electronic contacts, so the camera does not record aperture data. A notable detail is the rear filter thread of 34 mm, and a natural night filter is included for it. No front filter thread is listed, so the rear thread is the way to use filters.

Build and size

The lens measures 70 mm in diameter and 96.6 mm in length and weighs 550 g, the same for the Sony E and L mount versions. At 550 g the lens is moderate for a full frame 12mm and balances well on mirrorless bodies.

Where it fits

In the database the Venus Laowa 12mm F2.8 Zero-D is the closest comparison, offered for the same mounts plus EF and F. Brightin Star also sells a 14mm and an autofocus 12mm, and the 7artisans 14mm F2.8 covers E, RF, Z and L. For fisheye rendering at a similar width see the TTArtisan 11mm f/2.8. The Brightin Star is the simpler, manual design with a built in rear filter thread.

Pros and cons

Pros

122.5 degree angle of view on full frame
F2.8 aperture, fast for a 12mm lens
550 g and compact for the focal length
Four mounts including Leica L
Rear filter thread with a filter included

Cons

Manual focus only
No front filter thread
5 blade diaphragm
No electronic aperture data

Verdict

The MF 12mm F2.8 is a compact, manual ultra wide for full frame mirrorless users who want a 12mm view without a very large lens. It suits landscape and architecture where focus is set once, and it is less suited to moving subjects.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 12 mm
max focal length: 12 mm
max f (min zoom): f/2.8
max f (max zoom): f/2.8
min. aperture: f/16
Elements: 15
Groups: 11
Weight: 550 g (1.21 lb)
Filter diameter: –
min focus distance: 24 cm (9.45 in)
Length: 96.6 mm (3.8 in)
Diameter: 70 mm (2.76 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.8 fit?

The Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.8 is a full-frame lens for L-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C L-Mount cameras its field of view equals 18 mm in full-frame terms.

L-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Leica SL3-P, Leica SL3-S, Sigma BF, Panasonic Lumix S1II, Panasonic Lumix S1IIE, Panasonic Lumix S1RII, Leica SL3, Panasonic Lumix S9, Blackmagic PYXIS 6K, Panasonic Lumix S5II, Panasonic Lumix S5IIX, Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K, Panasonic Lumix BS1H, Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S5, Sigma fp L, Leica SL2, Panasonic Lumix S1, Panasonic Lumix S1R, Panasonic Lumix S1H, Sigma fp, Leica SL (Typ 601)
APS-C:: Leica CL, Leica TL2, Leica TL, Leica T (Typ 701)