7Artisans 10mm F3.5

The 7Artisans 10mm F3.5 is a manual focus ultra wide angle lens for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras, offered for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z and Micro Four Thirds. On APS-C a 10 mm focal length corresponds to about 15 mm in full frame terms, on Micro Four Thirds to about 20 mm. It is a very small lens aimed at landscapes, architecture and interiors.

Optical design

The lens has 9 elements in 7 groups. The aperture range is F3.5 to F22, and the diaphragm has 5 blades. According to 7Artisans the angle of view is 108 degrees on the diagonal. The closest focusing distance is 0.2 m, so foreground objects can be placed close to the lens in wide angle compositions.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual. The aperture ring has click stops, and the barrel carries a depth of field scale, which is useful for zone focusing with a lens of this focal length. There is no autofocus, and the aperture is set on the ring. The filter thread measures 37 mm.

Build and size

The lens is 59 mm in diameter and 34 mm long and weighs about 125.5 g without covers on Sony E. It is therefore close to a pancake in size.

Where it fits

Among autofocus alternatives for APS-C in the database are the Viltrox AF 13mm F1.4, the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN, the Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS for Sony E and the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS WR for Fujifilm X. For manual lenses, the Venus Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D is a faster and wider option, and the 7artisans 12mm F2.8 is a slightly longer one from the same maker. The 7Artisans 10mm F3.5 is the smallest and lightest of these.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Very compact: 59 mm by 34 mm and about 125.5 g on Sony E
• 108 degree diagonal angle of view
• Closest focusing distance of 0.2 m
• Clicked aperture ring and a depth of field scale on the barrel
• Offered for four mounts, including Micro Four Thirds

Cons

• Manual focus only
• F3.5 is not bright for low light
• 5 diaphragm blades
• Designed for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds sensors only

Verdict

The 10mm F3.5 is a pocketable ultra wide for small sensor cameras. It offers a very wide angle of view in a tiny body, and the manual focus with a depth of field scale suits landscape and architecture work. Anyone who wants autofocus or a brighter aperture will need a larger lens from the alternatives above.