7artisans 7. vs lightdow EF

Overview of the 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 II Fisheye Lens

The 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 II Fisheye Lens is an ultra-wide-angle manual lens priced at $139.00. It is designed for Sony E-Mount cameras and boasts a remarkable 190° viewing angle, making it an excellent choice for landscape, travel, and even underwater photography. This lens features a large F2.8 aperture, which allows more light to enter, enhancing image quality and reducing exposure times. Additionally, its construction includes 9 groups and 11 elements, incorporating advanced HOYA glass and 2 ED lenses to mitigate chromatic aberration.

Overview of the EF 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens

In contrast, the EF 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is available for $77.59, making it about 44% cheaper than the 7artisans lens. Tailored for Canon DSLR cameras, this lens is a fully manual focus model ideal for portrait photography. It features a large F1.8 aperture that excels at producing a shallow depth of field, which enhances the bokeh effect and provides stunning background blur. The lens also incorporates advanced hybrid aspherical lens technology and ultra multi-coating, ensuring superb image quality and minimizing aberrations and glare.

Build Quality and Design

The 7artisans lens features a robust all-metal body with a petal lens hood, offering durability and a professional aesthetic. It's designed for compatibility with a wide range of Sony E-Mount cameras, including the A7 series. Meanwhile, the EF 85mm lens, although cheaper, is also well-constructed, emphasizing its manual focus capabilities. It is compatible with a broad range of Canon DSLRs, including the EOS Rebel series. The choice between these two lenses may largely depend on the user's preference for build quality and the intended photographic style.

Optical Performance

The optical performance of the 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 II lens shines with its ultra-wide perspective, making it perfect for creative shots that require an expansive field of view. The lens's advanced optical configuration reduces chromatic aberration, contributing to clearer edge imaging. On the other hand, the EF 85mm f1.8 lens excels in producing sharp, high-contrast images with its F1.8 aperture. The resulting bokeh is often described as dreamy, making it ideal for portraiture. Both lenses have unique optical strengths, catering to different photographic needs.

User Experience and Ease of Use

The 7artisans lens, being fully manual, requires users to have a solid understanding of photography principles, such as shutter speed and ISO adjustments. This may appeal to photographers seeking creative control but could be challenging for beginners. The EF 85mm lens also emphasizes manual focusing, which may require practice but is beneficial for photographers aiming to refine their skills. However, it does boast a smoother focus ring, which may enhance the user experience.

Price Comparison

At $139.00, the 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 II lens is significantly more expensive than the EF 85mm f1.8 lens, which is priced at $77.59. This price difference of about $61.41 makes the EF 85mm lens a more attractive option for budget-conscious photographers. While both lenses offer unique features, the lower price of the EF 85mm may appeal to those who want quality without a hefty investment.

Intended Use and Compatibility

The 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 II lens is primarily suited for wide-angle photography, making it an excellent choice for landscapes, travel, and creative applications like 360° VR panoramas. Its compatibility with a range of Sony E-Mount cameras enhances its versatility for users in that ecosystem. Conversely, the EF 85mm lens is ideal for portrait photography and is compatible with a wide array of Canon DSLRs, making it a valuable addition for portrait photographers. Therefore, the intended use and camera compatibility will play a significant role in determining which lens is more suitable for a buyer's needs.

Which should you buy?

Deciding between the 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 II Fisheye Lens and the EF 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens ultimately depends on your photography style and budget. If you're looking for an ultra-wide-angle lens for creative shots and have a Sony camera, the 7artisans lens offers exceptional quality at $139.00. However, if you are a portrait photographer using a Canon DSLR and prefer a more economical option, the EF 85mm lens at $77.59 provides excellent value with its beautiful bokeh and sharpness. Each lens serves distinct photographic purposes, making the choice a reflection of your specific needs in the field.