While January is typically a month of conservative spending, a new full-frame prime from Brightin Star is certainly cheap enough to prove tempting. This 35mm f/1.4 optic is manual-focus only, but the quirky retro aesthetic, with plenty of numericals on the barrel, a distinctive jagged aperture ring, and both Classic Black and Retro Silver paint jobs, certainly befit the vintage vibe.
The lens retails for $169.99 and is available in Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and L mount. It’s constructed from seven elements in six groups, and includes a high-refraction lens, a low-dispersion lens, and a double-gauss structure. The latter is said to provide clarity and sharpness across the frame, even at wider apertures.
Manual-focus-only lenses are often favored by retro camera enthusiasts who want to enjoy an ‘old-school’ shooting experience, and aperture rings are an important factor in the authentic feel of a retro setup. This lens not only features an aperture ring, but a switch allows users to toggle between stepped and stepless increments, the latter being preferred by videographers.
The lens is said to feature a “unique ten-needle starburst design” when stopped down to capture sunbursts. It also boasts a 0.3m minimum focusing distance for close-up shooting. The Brightin Star 35mm f/1.4 differs slightly in size and weight between different mounts, with measurements ranging between 2.17 to 2.54in by 1.54 to 1.69in, and weighing between 203-224g.
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