7Artisans AF 18mm F2

The 7Artisans AF 18mm F2 is a compact autofocus wide-angle prime for APS-C cameras with Sony E mount. 7Artisans describes it as a pancake-style lens for street, travel, interiors and everyday video. On an APS-C sensor, 18mm gives a wide, documentary view, and the f/2 aperture helps in dim light.

Optical design

The lens has nine elements in seven groups, including ED (extra-low dispersion) glass and high-refractive-index elements according to the manufacturer's diagram. The nine-blade aperture runs from f/2 to f/16, and the angle of view is 77 degrees. The minimum focusing distance is 0.2 m, and the front takes 52 mm filters.

Autofocus and handling

Autofocus is driven by an STM stepping motor, which 7Artisans describes as fast, accurate and quiet. The lens is intended to work with the camera's intelligent eye and face tracking. Controls are a focus ring and a click-stop aperture ring, and a Type-C port on the lens is used for firmware updates. A square lens hood is part of the design. The lens has no stabilizer of its own, so image stabilization depends on the camera body.

Build and size

The barrel is aluminum with CNC machining and an anodized finish in a retro look. The lens measures 64 mm in diameter and only 32 mm in length, and 7Artisans gives a weight of about 109 g. A dust-sealing gasket at the mount is listed by the manufacturer.

Where it fits

For APS-C on Sony E, the database also lists the Sony E 16mm F2.8 Pancake and the Sony E 20mm F2.8, which are slightly wider and slightly longer respectively, and the Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary, which is brighter but larger. From the same maker, the AF 35mm F1.8 LITE is a matching APS-C autofocus prime, and Fujifilm X users have the Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 R as a similar focal length and aperture.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Very light at about 109 g and only 32 mm long
• f/2 aperture with nine aperture blades
• Autofocus with STM motor and eye tracking support
• Click-stop aperture ring, 0.2 m close focus and 52 mm filter thread

Cons

• Sony E mount only so far
• No built-in stabilizer
• Designed for APS-C, so no full-frame image circle

Verdict

The 7Artisans AF 18mm F2 is a small, light everyday wide-angle for APS-C Sony cameras. Its strengths are the pancake size, the f/2 aperture and the autofocus, and it fits photographers who want a compact street and travel lens rather than the widest or brightest option.