Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.0 III APS-C

Focal length: 12 mm
Aperture: f/2
Weight: 268 g
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Min. focus distance: 18 cm
Length: –

Overview

The Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.0 III is a manual focus ultra wide prime for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras. It is offered for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Canon EF-M and Micro Four Thirds. On an APS-C body the field of view matches roughly an 18mm lens, on Micro Four Thirds it is closer to 24mm. The brand positions it for landscape, architecture and interiors, and the F2.0 aperture also makes it a candidate for night skies and city scenes.

Optical design

The manufacturer manual lists 12 elements in 9 groups and an angle of view of 97 degrees. The design includes two aspherical and two ED elements. The aperture has 10 blades and stops down from f/2 to f/22; according to Brightin Star the 10 blades produce 10-point starbursts on point light sources. The closest focusing distance is 0.18 m.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual only. It has a clicked aperture ring and a removable hood, which can be taken off to fit filters. The lens has no electronic contacts, so the camera cannot record aperture data and will usually show a placeholder instead of an f-number. With focus peaking or magnification on the camera, the 0.18 m minimum distance allows close wide angle shots.

Build and size

The manual gives a weight of 268.4 g, and the filter thread is 62 mm. The diameter is 69.5 mm. At this weight the lens is light for a 12mm F2 design and is easy to carry on a compact mirrorless body.

Where it fits

Alternatives in the database include the Samyang / Rokinon 12mm F2.0 NCS CS (E, X, EF-M and MFT, manual focus) and the Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC Contemporary for E, X and RF with autofocus. For Micro Four Thirds there is also the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm 1:2. The Brightin Star offers the same focal length and aperture as the Samyang with a full set of mount options.

Pros and cons

Pros

F2.0 aperture at 12mm
268.4 g, light for its class
Wide choice of mounts including EF-M and Micro Four Thirds
62 mm filter thread and removable hood
0.18 m minimum focusing distance

Cons

Manual focus only, no electronic aperture or focus data
No image stabilization
Not a full frame lens, intended for APS-C and smaller sensors

Verdict

The MF 12mm F2.0 III is a simple, fast ultra wide for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds users who are fine with manual focus. It suits landscape, interiors and astrophotography where the lens is set once and shot at distance. Anyone who needs autofocus will look at the Sigma 12mm F1.4 or comparable native lenses instead.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 12 mm
max focal length: 12 mm
max f (min zoom): f/2
max f (max zoom): f/2
min. aperture: f/22
Elements: 12
Groups: 9
Weight: 268 g (0.59 lb)
Filter diameter: 62 mm
min focus distance: 18 cm (7.09 in)
Length: –
Diameter: 69.5 mm (2.74 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.0 III APS-C fit?

The Brightin Star MF 12mm F2.0 III APS-C fits all Micro Four Thirds cameras. There its field of view equals 24 mm in full-frame terms (crop factor 2).

Micro Four Thirds cameras

Micro Four Thirds:: OM System PEN, OM System OM-3, OM System OM-5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G97 (G99M2), Panasonic Lumix GH7, OM System OM-1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G9 II, Panasonic Lumix G100D, OM System OM-5, OM System OM-1, Panasonic Lumix GH6, Panasonic Lumix GH5 II, Olympus PEN E-P7, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G100 (G110), Panasonic Lumix BGH1, Olympus PEN E-PL10, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90, G91), Olympus OM-D E-M1X, Panasonic Lumix GX9, Panasonic Lumix GF10 (GF90, GX880), Olympus PEN E-PL9, Panasonic Lumix GH5S, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Panasonic Lumix G9, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix GF9 (GX850, GX800), Panasonic Lumix GH5, Olympus PEN E-PL8, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G85 (G80, G81), Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80, GX7 Mark II), Olympus PEN-F, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GX8, Panasonic Lumix G7, Panasonic Lumix GF7, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GM5, Olympus PEN E-PL7, Panasonic Lumix GH4, Olympus OM-D E-M10, Panasonic Lumix GM1, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Panasonic Lumix GX7, Olympus PEN E-PL6, Olympus PEN E-P5, Panasonic Lumix G6, Panasonic Lumix GF6, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, Olympus PEN E-PM2, Olympus PEN E-PL5, Panasonic Lumix GH3, Panasonic Lumix G5, Panasonic Lumix GF5, Olympus OM-D E-M5, Blackmagic Cinema Camera (MFT)