7Artisans Review: Manual Focus Mirrorless Lenses, Mounts, Prices, Shipping and Returns

7Artisans is a Shenzhen-based lens maker, founded in 2016, that sells its own camera lenses direct from its official store. The core of the range is manual focus primes for mirrorless cameras: Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Canon EOS-M, Micro Four Thirds, L-mount and Leica M. Most photo primes on the site cost about $50 to $350, while cinema lenses and sets run from about $200 into the thousands. It also sells a newer autofocus line, used lenses, filters and adapters.

This review covers what the store sells, how focal lengths, apertures and mounts compare, prices, shipping from its US warehouse, and a return policy that charges a 5% handling fee when the return is not for a quality problem.

What 7Artisans sells

The store listed about 100 products when we checked. Lenses make up most of them:

• Manual focus photo primes (about 27 listings, marked "MF"): from a 4mm f/2.8 circular fisheye and 6mm f/2.0 ultra-wide up to a 75mm f/1.4 full-frame portrait lens, plus 60mm and 120mm macros and a 50mm f/1.4 tilt lens.
• Manual cinema lenses (about 14 listings): T-stop primes and sets with geared focus and aperture rings, in APS-C/Super 35 and full-frame versions, for E, X, RF, M43, L, Z, EF and PL mounts.
• Leica M lenses: rangefinder-mount primes such as a 28mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2.8, 35mm f/5.6 and 75mm f/1.25.
• Autofocus lenses (about 17 listings, marked "AF"): primes from 10mm to 135mm for Sony E, Nikon Z, L-mount and some Fuji X bodies.
• Used lenses: a handful of older APS-C models such as the 12mm f/2.8 and 60mm f/2.8, priced about $44–$80.
• Accessories: UV, polarizing, ND, black mist and magnetic filters, lens hoods, adapters, pouches and cleaning kits.

Focal lengths, apertures and mounts

Three details decide whether a 7Artisans lens suits you: the sensor format it covers, the mount, and the aperture.

APS-C or full frame. Many of the cheapest lenses are designed for APS-C sensors. The 25mm f/0.95 listing says that on a full-frame camera you need to switch the camera to APS-C (crop) mode. Full-frame lenses are labeled "Full-frame" in the product title. Remember that on APS-C a 35mm lens frames roughly like a 50mm on full frame.

Mounts. Each lens is sold in separate mount versions chosen from a dropdown. Coverage varies by model: the APS-C 35mm f/1.4 is offered for Sony E, Fuji X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon Z, Canon RF and Canon EOS-M, while some full-frame models come only in E, Z and L. Several listings state that the lenses are for mirrorless cameras only, not DSLRs. The exception is a 7.5mm f/3.5 fisheye offered in Canon EF and Nikon F versions.

Apertures. The range runs from f/0.95 (25mm, 35mm and 50mm APS-C "Firefly" lenses) and f/1.2 to slower, compact lenses such as the 18mm f/5.6 and 35mm f/5.6 full-frame "pancake" style models. Cinema lenses are rated in T-stops, from T1.05 to T2.9.

Examples of what the product pages list:

• MF 35mm f/1.4 APS-C ($69): 8 elements in 5 groups, all-metal body, 228g, 43° angle of view, 0.35m minimum focus, 49mm filter thread.
• MF 25mm f/0.95 APS-C ($143.40): 11 elements in 9 groups, including three ultra-low dispersion elements, and 13 aperture blades.
• MF 50mm f/1.2 APS-C ($99): full metal body, glow-in-the-dark focus scale, clicked aperture ring and built-in hood.
• MF 35mm f/1.4 III full frame ($189): 7 elements in 5 groups, 10 aperture blades, 52mm filter, 42° angle of view.
• MF 60mm f/2.8 II APS-C macro ($179): 1x (life-size) macro with internal focusing, so the length does not change, and 9 aperture blades.

Not every listing gives a full spec sheet. Some pages are mostly images, and the store does not publish a single comparison table, so you may need to check the photos on each page for weight and minimum focus distance.

Manual focus: what to expect

The "MF" lenses are fully manual: you turn the focus ring yourself and set the aperture on the lens. Mirrorless cameras make this easier with focus peaking and magnification. Most of these lenses appear to have no electronic contacts, which typically means the camera will not record the aperture in photo data and may need its "release without lens" setting turned on. The product pages we read did not spell this out, so check your camera manual. If you want autofocus, look at the separate "AF" range instead.

Prices

Prices are in US dollars. Examples at the time of writing:

• MF 55mm f/1.4 APS-C: $49
• MF 18mm f/6.3 II APS-C: $59
• MF 35mm f/1.4 APS-C: $69
• MF 10mm f/3.5 APS-C ultra-wide: $99
• MF 25mm f/0.95 APS-C: $143.40
• MF 14mm f/2.8 full frame: $179
• MF 35mm f/1.4 III full frame: $189
• MF 9mm f/5.6 full frame with rear ND filter: $335–$349
• AF lenses: $69 (27mm f/2.8) to $729 (135mm f/1.8)
• Cinema lenses: about $207 for a single APS-C lens, up to $5,523 for a full-frame set

Many listings show a crossed-out "compare at" price above the selling price. Treat those as the store's own reference prices, which can change. Some lens pages also let you add a matching filter as a bundle option, which raises the price.

Shipping

Shipping is free on orders of $150 or more. For smaller orders the cost is shown at checkout; the store does not list a flat rate. According to the shipping policy:

• Origin: orders to the US, EU and Brazil are sent from local overseas warehouses in the destination region, subject to stock. Everything else ships from China. The store suggests contacting customer service to confirm the dispatch time for a specific item.
• Processing: orders are dispatched within 48 hours, with tracking updated within 72 hours.
• Delivery time: shown at checkout based on your address. The separate FAQ page says it takes "about 7-25 days" to receive a lens.
• Duties: for US orders, customs duties and taxes are included in the price. If a carrier asks you to pay, the store asks you to contact it before paying.

Multi-item orders may arrive in separate parcels, and the address cannot be changed once an order ships.

Returns and warranty

Read these terms before buying, because they are stricter than many US camera retailers.

• Window: return or exchange requests within 14 days of receipt.
• Condition: unused, as received, in the original packaging, with proof of purchase.
• Contact first: email info@7artisans.com before sending anything. Returns sent without notice may not be accepted.
• Fees: returns not caused by a quality problem carry a 5% handling fee, and you pay return shipping, which is deducted from the refund. Original shipping costs are not refunded.
• Exchanges: only for defective or damaged items.
• Cancellations: allowed only before shipping, with a 5% handling fee.
• Refund timing: within 14 days of approval, to the original payment method.

The warranty page describes a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase, covering defects under normal use but not misuse, liquid, sand or impact damage. You pay shipping to the service center and 7Artisans pays the return shipping. The warranty tab on product pages words this a little differently, saying service is free but the buyer pays for shipping and materials, so ask what a repair will cost before you send a lens. Out-of-warranty repairs are offered for a fee. The policies do not say whether used lenses carry the same warranty.

Who should buy from 7Artisans

• Mirrorless beginners who want to try a fast prime for shallow depth of field without spending much.
• Video shooters who want manual focus and aperture control, or a budget cinema lens set.
• Leica M and rangefinder users looking for lower-cost M-mount primes.
• Hobbyists exploring fisheye, ultra-wide, macro or tilt effects.

Look elsewhere if you need autofocus for sports or kids on a mount the AF line does not cover, want free returns, or need full specifications and test data before buying.

7Artisans coupon codes

We did not find a verified public code at the time of writing, and we do not publish codes we cannot check. The savings we could confirm on the site are free shipping on orders of $150 or more and duties included in US prices. Any working offers we find are listed on our 7Artisans coupons page.

Frequently asked questions

Do 7Artisans lenses autofocus?

The "MF" lenses are manual focus only. The store also sells a separate line of "AF" autofocus lenses for Sony E, Nikon Z, L-mount and some Fuji X cameras.

Will an APS-C 7Artisans lens work on a full-frame camera?

The store's listing for the 25mm f/0.95 says to switch a full-frame camera to APS-C mode when using it. Check whether a lens title says "APS-C" or "Full-frame" before ordering.

Where do US orders ship from?

From a US warehouse when the item is in stock there, otherwise from China. The store says orders are dispatched within 48 hours, and its FAQ gives about 7 to 25 days to receive a lens.

Can I return a lens if I change my mind?

Yes, within 14 days of receipt if it is unused and in its original packaging, but you pay return shipping and a 5% handling fee, and you must email the store first.

The bottom line

7Artisans offers an unusually wide choice of low-cost manual focus primes for almost every mirrorless mount, with f/0.95 to f/1.4 options from about $70 to $190 and clear basic specs on many pages. The trade-offs are manual focus, sometimes thin product details, possible shipping from China, and returns that cost you 5% plus postage. Confirm the mount and sensor format, and be sure you want to focus by hand, before you order.

Visit 7Artisans

Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on the 7Artisans website at the time of writing and may change.