7artisans Photoelectric 25mm f/0.95

Canon EF-M

Review

The 7artisans Photoelectric 25mm f/0.95 is an intriguing addition to the Canon EF-M lens lineup, catering to both enthusiasts and professionals looking for a fast, prime lens. With its impressive maximum aperture of f/0.95, this lens is designed for low-light situations and provides a beautiful depth of field, making it ideal for portrait and street photography.

Build Quality and Design

This lens possesses a solid build quality, with a robust metal body that feels substantial in hand. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, allowing for precise manual focusing, which is essential when dealing with such a wide aperture. The compact design is also a significant advantage, making it an excellent choice for photographers who value portability. The lens features a simple but aesthetically pleasing design, with glass elements that are well coated to reduce flare and ghosting.

Optical Performance

Optically, the 7artisans 25mm f/0.95 performs admirably at its widest aperture, producing images with a soft, dreamy quality that is often sought after in portrait work. The shallow depth of field produces a lovely bokeh, beautifully isolating subjects from their backgrounds. However, at f/0.95, there can be some softness in the corners, and slight chromatic aberration can be noticed in high-contrast scenarios. Stopping down to f/2.8 or f/4 significantly improves sharpness across the frame, making it suitable for landscape photography as well.

Autofocus and Usability

One of the notable downsides is that the 7artisans 25mm f/0.95 is a fully manual lens, meaning that there is no autofocus feature, which may deter some users who rely heavily on electronic focusing. While this offers control for those who prefer manual focus, beginners might find it challenging to use in fast-paced environments. Additionally, the aperture ring has a solid click at each stop, giving nice feedback, but its lack of half-stop markings may limit precise exposure control.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional low-light performance with f/0.95 aperture
• Beautiful bokeh and depth of field control
• Solid build quality with smooth manual focus
• Compact and lightweight, great for street and travel photography

Cons

• Fully manual, which could deter users accustomed to autofocus
• Softness in the corners when shot wide open
• Slight chromatic aberration in challenging lighting conditions
• Lack of half-stop markings on the aperture ring

Verdict

In conclusion, the 7artisans Photoelectric 25mm f/0.95 is an exciting lens that excels in low-light performance and offers distinctive shallow depth of field effects, making it an excellent choice for portrait and artistic photography. However, its manual focus design may limit its appeal to some users, particularly those used to autofocus lenses. If you are comfortable with manual focusing and appreciate the creative possibilities offered by an ultra-fast aperture, this lens could be a perfect addition to your Canon EF-M kit.