I’ve been impressed with some of 7Artisans’ lenses over the last few years, from the super-fast 50mm f/1.05 manual-focus standard prime to the 10mm f/2.8 Fish-Eye, which I liked so much when I reviewed it that I went straight out and bought one. As with the more 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8, this 85mm short telephoto lens gains the bonus of full electronic communication with the camera body and the luxury of autofocus. Even so, the purchase price remains much more affordable than for equivalent own-brand lenses from camera manufacturers, as well as undercutting the cost of more directly competing Chinese alternatives. At this price, you can’t expect it to be the best 85mm lens in the world, but it certainly aims to be worthy of consideration if you’re after one of the best portrait lenses to suit a tight budget.
