With nearly $500 this lens is in the same price range as the CV 28/2.0 lens which I love to shoot with. The 7Artisans is a stop faster, but you pay with size and weight for it. But great that 7Artisans pushes the envelope and offers a fast alternative to hyper-priced Leica one. Love the stuff TTArtisan and 7Artisans are releasing!
Maybe some day we'll get a Voigtlander 28mm f/1.4 Nokton. They have a 21, multiple 35 and 50's.. I wonder why they're skipping over the 28 focal length.
I picked one up used from an ebay seller for about 60% of new price and am astonished how good it is. But as you say, it certainly has a certain gravity about it! It's a focal length I like a lot and would love 7Artisans do a 28mm f2 (or even a really small f2.8) as they do that with the 35mm options they make in the M mount.
Finally the 28mm 1.4! I love this lens but only use it on special occasions cause of the size and weight. I Value size and weight over quality, that's why I still use my crappy but tiny Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton and the 50mm 1.5ii because they are the smallest and fastest modern M lens. Just wish this 7Artisans 28mm 1.4 was smaller. Looked into the 28 Lux but I still feel it's too big.
Like many others, I wear glasses, and the Leica frame lines are hard to see, wider than the 50mm. The 35frame lines are usable but I have to move my eye to see both left and right edges of the frame. My favourite focal length for Leica is 28mm and I have a Minolta M mount 28mm which is excellent and small. The solution for all glasses wearing Leica 28mm shooters is......to buy a cold shoe 28 viewfinder! You can find them on auction sites for not much money, and they offer a big bright view for framing.
I bought this lens for my Minolta CLE and enjoying it for few months now. Shoots great and looks great too. But as Benj mentioned, it is heavy... My M-Rokkor 28mm is not in good condition, so I bought it. But now I am thinking to buy Voigtlander 28mm F2.....
Great review dude! 7Artisans is really killing it recently with their lenses. Funny that we both post a budget Leica lens review on the same day hahaha. I made a video about the Elmar 90mm F/4 and I was pleasantly surprised with the results I got!
Thanks Benj, for another great video. I also watched your video on the Thypoch 28mm. I'm looking for a 28mm for my Leica M240, and I'm going back and forth between this one, but mainly the Thypoch and the Voigtlander Nokton f1.5. I know there is a considerable difference in price, especially between the Nokton and this 7Artisans lens, but which one would you personally go for out of those three?
I love using this lens on my M cameras, but I agree it is heavy and large. The only downside seems to be 7A's quality control based on varying-degrees of reviews online. Mine is tack-sharp in the middle, and the bokeh from this lens is very smooth with great transition. I wonder how it would hold up against the Summilux. I have never seen a comparison review, probably because the Summilux is so expensive.
I wear specs, Benj, and can just about see the 35mm frame lines on my M10. I have to look around the viewfinder to see the 28mm frame lines. How do you manage?
So definitely bought this to play on the GFX and it is FUNKY. Weirdest part: Over 2 ft minimal focal distance for a 28mm lens! The Q is 11inches or so - more normal for a wider angle lens. Will have to experiment a bit!
The lens seems impressive, especially for the price. But in the end way to big/heavy. Curious if you ever tried the Zeiss 28mm f2.8, Minolta M-Rokkor 28m f2.8 or the Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8.
I’m thinking about getting a lens specifically for night. I have a 35 & 50 cron 👍 35mm Nokton Classic 1.4 👎 I’m torn between this or the 50 0.95. The 50 is definitely less useful in terms of it being so soft. Also 28 1.4 vs 50 0.95 probably result in similar minimum shutter speeds given wider lenses can be shot slower. Difficult.
@@benjhaisch The q2 is a beast! but I feel like the original Q is a better head to head comparison. I’ll be on the look out to see if any of my friends have one for you to have for awhile to review 🤙🏼 i know you’d do that review justice!
Loving all you reviews on alternative lenses for our beloved M. I’ve been shooting with the m system since 2013 and have never used a leica lens. I’m planning to get my very first Leica lens this month and was wondering what you’d recommend? It’ll be mainly for documentation of daily life but also for my product photography work. Stay safe and God bless.
Ben, more on performance , other reviews say there is a red cast in pics. Others say strong dark corners. Ben, its a half pound lens most Sigma and Sony lenses are more and Pany and Leica lenses are way heavier. Plus I have summicron and its small but a full F-stop slower. Indoors or poor light that means more noise, or shake. Is it usable at 1.4 or not? If you have to stop down on stop then how is it doing?
A very nice lens, but heavy. But i think i’ll keep’it, to not regret it in a few months perhaps. Really cool video once again, i really like all the reviews you’re doing.
Hey man! Loving these reviews. I’m curious how you think this compares to the Voigtländer 28mm f2. Ignoring the weight difference obviously. I’m wanting to shoot more 28 and like the idea of having 1.4 as an option.
Wanted to know if you can do a review of the mitakon 50mm 0.95 now for the Leica M Mount. There’s a highly praised Fuji version but now they released the M Mount version which they also updated ( brand new designed)
Hello there. I was wandering how this 28 1.4 holds up to the 23 1.4 from Fuji. I know they are different systems etc, but I do have a fuji x pro and adapting „leica lenses“ is pretty easy.. how di they compare in terms of IQ? thank you ;)
Bruhhh! I wish they'd make this for other mounts like Fujifilm! You could always go with the adaptor route, but that would defeat the purpose of a semi wide lens, plus paired up with a crop-sensored body 😩. I have a 55mm 1.4 which is perfectly sharp for me, but most of the time not versatile enough for most use because of the crop...sigh.
In general the Summarit lenses offer a great price/quality ratio - the best ratio Leica has offered before they seized the Summarit program. I never used the 50 Summarit, but I have the 35/2.4 Summarit which is fantastic. It is not really a debit compared to full f/2 lenses from my experience. Most of my M lenses are f/2 lenses which are more than sufficient for my personal usage.
I guess I was looking more of a comparison against the Summilux as oppose to the Summicron. It's a comparison of apples & pears. You know F1.4 against F1.4, not against F2. I love your review though..!!
Haha, I’d say that reviewing these more budget lenses would make people *more* likely to buy a Leica, but who knows what the marketing people there are actually looking for ;)
Its funny, i see so many ytubers reviewing 3rd part lenses and saying how good they are for the money and they recommend to anyone on budget but at the same time they always use themself Leica lenses😂
Sure, I'm more making these videos for people who are newer to the Leica system or can't afford the thousands and thousands on a Leica lens. I'm actually the one reaching out and requesting copies of these lenses because I find them fascinating.
I don't understand ..., if one uses a Micky Mouse fake Chinese lens, why buying Leica Camera? Technically, lens is the heart of photography process. I know Leica lenses are expensive BUT, there are so many reasons for a Leica lens to be expensive. In some cases Leica doesn't make money in producing lenses despite the high price tag.
Sometimes you have your favorite lenses from leica but you want a different focal length for different purposes or you are not ready to drop the money on a leica lens example this 28 if you own a 35, 50 leica but you want to complete the setup with a 28 or maybe a 90 those are great. I won’t buy a third party 50 or 35 as those are my primary lenses but maybe a 90 or 24 per say.
Ha..ha..! Very strange... I hav tried and own a few 3rd party M lenses. They are not that bad. How about Zeiss and voiglander? They too hav M mount lenses. I also own an 50mm original M mount lense. Thk u.
With nearly $500 this lens is in the same price range as the CV 28/2.0 lens which I love to shoot with. The 7Artisans is a stop faster, but you pay with size and weight for it. But great that 7Artisans pushes the envelope and offers a fast alternative to hyper-priced Leica one. Love the stuff TTArtisan and 7Artisans are releasing!
That quality is pretty damn impressive, especially at that price point. Thank you for the honest review, Benj!
Awesome. It's so impressive what 7A has produced.
Maybe some day we'll get a Voigtlander 28mm f/1.4 Nokton. They have a 21, multiple 35 and 50's.. I wonder why they're skipping over the 28 focal length.
I picked one up used from an ebay seller for about 60% of new price and am astonished how good it is. But as you say, it certainly has a certain gravity about it!
It's a focal length I like a lot and would love 7Artisans do a 28mm f2 (or even a really small f2.8) as they do that with the 35mm options they make in the M mount.
Finally the 28mm 1.4! I love this lens but only use it on special occasions cause of the size and weight. I Value size and weight over quality, that's why I still use my crappy but tiny Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton and the 50mm 1.5ii because they are the smallest and fastest modern M lens. Just wish this 7Artisans 28mm 1.4 was smaller. Looked into the 28 Lux but I still feel it's too big.
Like many others, I wear glasses, and the Leica frame lines are hard to see, wider than the 50mm. The 35frame lines are usable but I have to move my eye to see both left and right edges of the frame. My favourite focal length for Leica is 28mm and I have a Minolta M mount 28mm which is excellent and small. The solution for all glasses wearing Leica 28mm shooters is......to buy a cold shoe 28 viewfinder! You can find them on auction sites for not much money, and they offer a big bright view for framing.
I bought this lens for my Minolta CLE and enjoying it for few months now. Shoots great and looks great too. But as Benj mentioned, it is heavy... My M-Rokkor 28mm is not in good condition, so I bought it. But now I am thinking to buy Voigtlander 28mm F2.....
Great review dude! 7Artisans is really killing it recently with their lenses. Funny that we both post a budget Leica lens review on the same day hahaha. I made a video about the Elmar 90mm F/4 and I was pleasantly surprised with the results I got!
This lens is really good paired with the techart autofocus adapter.
Thanks Benj, for another great video. I also watched your video on the Thypoch 28mm. I'm looking for a 28mm for my Leica M240, and I'm going back and forth between this one, but mainly the Thypoch and the Voigtlander Nokton f1.5. I know there is a considerable difference in price, especially between the Nokton and this 7Artisans lens, but which one would you personally go for out of those three?
I love using this lens on my M cameras, but I agree it is heavy and large. The only downside seems to be 7A's quality control based on varying-degrees of reviews online. Mine is tack-sharp in the middle, and the bokeh from this lens is very smooth with great transition. I wonder how it would hold up against the Summilux. I have never seen a comparison review, probably because the Summilux is so expensive.
I wear specs, Benj, and can just about see the 35mm frame lines on my M10. I have to look around the viewfinder to see the 28mm frame lines. How do you manage?
This was one of my favorite lenses but I couldn’t handle that weight. Great review, as always!
So definitely bought this to play on the GFX and it is FUNKY. Weirdest part: Over 2 ft minimal focal distance for a 28mm lens! The Q is 11inches or so - more normal for a wider angle lens. Will have to experiment a bit!
Leica M glass is weird with MFD
can you make a video, reviewing this lens on Fuji GFX?
The lens seems impressive, especially for the price. But in the end way to big/heavy.
Curious if you ever tried the Zeiss 28mm f2.8, Minolta M-Rokkor 28m f2.8 or the Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8.
I’m thinking about getting a lens specifically for night. I have a 35 & 50 cron 👍 35mm Nokton Classic 1.4 👎
I’m torn between this or the 50 0.95. The 50 is definitely less useful in terms of it being so soft. Also 28 1.4 vs 50 0.95 probably result in similar minimum shutter speeds given wider lenses can be shot slower. Difficult.
Have you already done a review comparison of the Leica q type 116 vs Fuji x100v? If not you should do one!!
I haven’t! I’d love to get ahold of a copy of the Q or Q2. I need some sort of rental house channel sponsor haha
@@benjhaisch The q2 is a beast! but I feel like the original Q is a better head to head comparison. I’ll be on the look out to see if any of my friends have one for you to have for awhile to review 🤙🏼 i know you’d do that review justice!
Loving all you reviews on alternative lenses for our beloved M. I’ve been shooting with the m system since 2013 and have never used a leica lens. I’m planning to get my very first Leica lens this month and was wondering what you’d recommend? It’ll be mainly for documentation of daily life but also for my product photography work. Stay safe and God bless.
How long is a piece of rope?
Ben, more on performance , other reviews say there is a red cast in pics. Others say strong dark corners. Ben, its a half pound lens
most Sigma and Sony lenses are more and Pany and Leica lenses are way heavier. Plus I have summicron and its small but a full
F-stop slower. Indoors or poor light that means more noise, or shake. Is it usable at 1.4 or not? If you have to stop down on stop
then how is it doing?
A very nice lens, but heavy.
But i think i’ll keep’it, to not regret it in a few months perhaps.
Really cool video once again, i really like all the reviews you’re doing.
Great review.. Which camera straps are you using on your M's
Hey man! Loving these reviews. I’m curious how you think this compares to the Voigtländer 28mm f2. Ignoring the weight difference obviously. I’m wanting to shoot more 28 and like the idea of having 1.4 as an option.
Thanks for this benj
Wanted to know if you can do a review of the mitakon 50mm 0.95 now for the Leica M Mount. There’s a highly praised Fuji version but now they released the M Mount version which they also updated ( brand new designed)
Haha send an email to them on my behalf! I’d love to.
Hello there. I was wandering how this 28 1.4 holds up to the 23 1.4 from Fuji. I know they are different systems etc, but I do have a fuji x pro and adapting „leica lenses“ is pretty easy.. how di they compare in terms of IQ? thank you ;)
Bruhhh! I wish they'd make this for other mounts like Fujifilm! You could always go with the adaptor route, but that would defeat the purpose of a semi wide lens, plus paired up with a crop-sensored body 😩. I have a 55mm 1.4 which is perfectly sharp for me, but most of the time not versatile enough for most use because of the crop...sigh.
A native X Mount 18/1.4 from them would be awesome.
@@benjhaisch Truuu!!!!
No mention that it focuses way past infinity on the hard stop?
it doesn't if you calibrate it?
Have you ever used Leica Summarit 50mm lens? It seem like a great tiny lens, but there is almost no information about it.
I haven’t, sorry! Personally I like my 50mm to be a little faster.
In general the Summarit lenses offer a great price/quality ratio - the best ratio Leica has offered before they seized the Summarit program. I never used the 50 Summarit, but I have the 35/2.4 Summarit which is fantastic. It is not really a debit compared to full f/2 lenses from my experience. Most of my M lenses are f/2 lenses which are more than sufficient for my personal usage.
Mmm, 28Cron. If I still worked for a living, it would be mine!
It’s so good
I guess I was looking more of a comparison against the Summilux as oppose to the Summicron. It's a comparison of apples & pears. You know F1.4 against F1.4, not against F2. I love your review though..!!
Haha feel free to get me access to the Summilux. It’s a little too exotic for my influence to acquire ;)
@@benjhaisch LOL!!! Me too!!!!
The folks who claim that this 7artisan lens is too heavy better not own any Leica Nocti and 21, 24, 28 & 90 summiluxes 😁
I don’t think that people who own those lenses care that the 7Artisans ones even exist ;)
I’m glad you are doing all these reviews! However it totally killed your chance of being a Leica ambassador 😂. You would be a really good one too.
Haha, I’d say that reviewing these more budget lenses would make people *more* likely to buy a Leica, but who knows what the marketing people there are actually looking for ;)
Its funny, i see so many ytubers reviewing 3rd part lenses and saying how good they are for the money and they recommend to anyone on budget but at the same time they always use themself Leica lenses😂
Sure, I'm more making these videos for people who are newer to the Leica system or can't afford the thousands and thousands on a Leica lens. I'm actually the one reaching out and requesting copies of these lenses because I find them fascinating.
@@benjhaisch fully agree :)
grams= annoying
I don't understand ..., if one uses a Micky Mouse fake Chinese lens, why buying Leica Camera? Technically, lens is the heart of photography process. I know Leica lenses are expensive BUT, there are so many reasons for a Leica lens to be expensive. In some cases Leica doesn't make money in producing lenses despite the high price tag.
Sometimes you have your favorite lenses from leica but you want a different focal length for different purposes or you are not ready to drop the money on a leica lens example this 28 if you own a 35, 50 leica but you want to complete the setup with a 28 or maybe a 90 those are great. I won’t buy a third party 50 or 35 as those are my primary lenses but maybe a 90 or 24 per say.
@@slickhatter9812 Fair enough, good luck.
Ha..ha..! Very strange... I hav tried and own a few 3rd party M lenses. They are not that bad. How about Zeiss and voiglander? They too hav M mount lenses. I also own an 50mm original M mount lense. Thk u.
@@slickhatter9812 I’ve done this with many times m42 lens. Just to see how I feel with the focal length and cheap as chips.
Hi, Benj. We love your video and photos, can you send us the original version to 7artisans@7artisans.com
for promo? We would add your name on it.