The 7artisans 25mm Lens: Well Worth The Wait!

For a compilation of the morning walk images, click here.

Place your order here.

Christmas In April: Ever since the shelter in place started on March 16, we've all been struggling to find something to keep our minds off the situation, provided we washed our hands and kept ourselves at an appropriate social distance.  Thursday, April 16, was the high point, when not one, but two lenses finally arrived. Here's the long story made short. 

On January 27, 2020, a Youtube post appeared singing the praises of a manual focus lens made for the X-mount Fuji camera that costs less than $80.00, and in many cases, for much less. It was made by a company called Pergear, and was sold under several different names, including 7artisans. Coincidentally, I wanted to experiment with the manual "focus peaking" feature made available with the introduction of the Fuji X-Pro1. Up until then, I hadn't thought of when focusing manually would ever be something I wanted to do. But at the low price point and the high on-line praise, I was ready to try. This lens was to become the gateway drug in my quest to create a compact prime-lens (fixed focal length) system to use when I wasn't up against a deadline, or when I wanted to make images just for fun.

My first attempt to purchase the lens was on February 18, 2020. B&H carried the 7artisans version. At the time it was on back-order, and I assumed that their inventory would be quickly replenished. Then the Corona virus brought China to a halt, so the actual delivery date was anybody's guess.

On March 31, I found an EBay re-seller (notice I didn't say "dealer") that claimed to have the 7artisans lens, in black and in stock, already in the United States. This was a clear case of a bird in the hand, so I cancelled my B&H order and placed my EBay order*. While I was at it, I also ordered the 12mm F 2.8 7artisans lens from a re-seller who also claimed to have this lens in stock. Both dealers projected a delivery date of April 9, which was slightly more than a week after purchase. I really felt I had beat the system, and that I'd shortly be in lens heaven.

The two lenses finally arrived on April 16, one week after they were promised. OK, I was too optimistic in the delivery projections, although they had been fairly accurate in the past. It was interesting that they were sent from the same facility in Los Angeles. Strange doings, but after all that waiting, I was just glad they arrived.

Mural on 18th Street, San Francisco. April 17, 2020

I mounted the 25mm lens on an X-E1 body and took it with me while I mailed a letter at the Castro post office. As I walked home, I looked for things to photograph. The Castro is full of creatives, and art can be found almost anywhere you look. This whimsical mural was found on 18th Street. Using the new lens was a refreshing change when compared to the 35mm lens that up until now, I had used almost exclusively. The new lens gave me a wider field of view. I made this shot without having to back up into the street.

Succulent, Community Garden on Storrie Street in San Francisco, April 17, 2020

Closer Closeups: The 25mm lens focuses closer than the 35mm. If you believe the distance markings on the lens barrels, the minimum film-plane to subject distances are 0.6' to 1.2', respectively. This is an apples to oranges comparison because the different focal lengths, along with their different magnifications, challenge the relevance of any conclusions you might draw. 

Closest Focus: 35mm lens                                                                    Closest Focus: 25mm lens

Put in practical terms, the horizontal field widths of the 35mm and the 25mm lens are (approximately) 8.1" and 4.2", respectively. I'll have a more detailed post on the subject and will include some images of the practical implications for all of the 7artisans lenses I purchased.

Gardens Of Fancy: The Corbin Stairs connect Corbett Avenue and 17th Street between Ord and Mars Streets. It's where I caught the 37 Corbett bus that would take me to Twin Peaks School until I was old enough to make the mile-long walk on my own. Over the years, neighbors have  taken to turning its borders into a whimsical garden with lights, gnomes, and statuary. With the close focusing capabilities of new lens, I made these images of some of the garden's permanent residents.

Garden Statue, Corbin Stairs in San Francisco. April 17, 2020

Subtractive Lighting: I learned about this from an article written, I believe, by Dean Collins in Petersen's Photographic Magazine. To create better modelling, Mr. Collins suggests that the subject might be surrounded by non-reflective black panels to prevent the key light from bouncing back into the shadows. In this case, the dark, light-robbing dark soil prevented light from filling the side of the porcelain statue's face. This allows the viewer to see the shadows beneath the eyes and beside the nose.

Flamingo Killer, Corbin Stairs in San Francisco. April 17, 2020

I suspect there are some things we were never meant to fully understand, and the lives of the residents of a fantasy garden are probably among them. I can only wonder if the victim of this forest denizen was headed to flamingo heaven, or a pre-heated oven.

I'll report on the 12mm F 2.8 lens after I've had a chance to play with it.

*Incidentally, on April 19, the black version of the Fuji-mount 7artisans 25mm lens became available for purchase through B & H.