7artisans has launched a new range of full-frame prime cine lenses. At launch, the Spectrum range includes a 35 mm, 50 mm and 85 mm lens. Let’s look at what these new lenses offer.
Low-light aperture
One of the headline features of the Spectrum prime cines lenses is the wide maximum T2.0 aperture. As well as great low light performance, this will also deliver the shallow depth of field that many video shooters seek. The aperture ring is de-clicked which means you can change exposure smoothly while filming. The 35 mm and 85 mm lenses have 10 aperture blades, while the 50 mm lens has 12 blades. All three lenses should give a smooth, circular bokeh in out-of-focus areas of the image.
Optical construction
The 7artisans 35mm Spectrum prime cine lens has 9 lens elements in 7 groups. However, the 50 mm lens has a simpler construction with six elements in five groups. Finally, the 85 mm lens has nine elements in eight groups. All three lenses include ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass.
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Focus
All three Spectrum prime cine lenses have a 270-degree focus throw. This makes it easier to find your focus smoothly and accurately. The lenses have a standard gear ring for use with a follow focus on both the focus and aperture rings. The 35 mm lens can focus as close as 11 inches, whereas the 50 mm lens has a close focus distance of around 19 inches. Finally, the 85 mm lens can focus down to around 31 inches.
Lens construction
All three Spectrum prime cine lenses are available in either L-mount, Z mount or Sony E-mount. The 50 mm and 85 mm lenses are also available for Canon R mount cameras. The lenses have an all-metal design for durability. They are also designed with the focus and aperture gears in the same position. This means that you can quickly and easily swap between lenses without needing to reconfigure your camera’s setup. All three lenses have an 82 mm filter thread.
Verdict
The 7artisans Spectrum prime cine lenses have a solid specification at an affordable price for full-frame lenses. If you use an L-mount, E-mount or Z mount camera, then you should consider giving these lenses a test drive. It’s a shame that Canon users don’t have access to the full set, however.
Availability
The 7artisans Spectrum range of T2.0 prime cine lenses is available now. The 85 mm lens is the most expensive at $459, the 35 mm lens retails at $419 and the 50 mm lens is the cheapest at $379. You can also get a set of all three lenses for $1,257.00, but this doesn’t save anything compared to buying the lenses separately.