7 Artisans 12mm f2.8 Ultra-Wide Lens for Fuji X System
I was bit concerned about the 12 because it is a lot harder to design than a 25. Both Fuji and Zeiss make outstanding 12's but they are pricey enough that I never bought one. The 7 Artisans is only $150 on Amazon. Like the other lenses from this company the 12 features a metal body, multicoated glass and a built in lens hood.
It is a manual lens. That means no electronics and that means no auto focus and manual or aperture priority only metering. It is well built old school. The brass focus helicoid allows the lens to be racked back forth smoothly. The aperture ring, like the other products from this company, has no detents. It doesn't click into each full f stop.
How does it perform? Pretty well, actually and better than the 25. It is soft at f2.8. I mean soft in the center of the frame as well as the edges. It is acceptable at f4 and crisp by f5.6. Recitlinearity is surprisingly good You can put a straight line on the edge of the frame and reproduce it straight as an arrow. 20 years ago I spent a small fortune on the Nikkor 18mm f2.8 super wide. I did it because it was the only truly rectilinear super wide lens I had ever encountered. That capability is now available for $150 in the 7 Artisans 12. It has about the same field of view in APS-C format as that Nikkor 18 produced on a 35mm camera.
Should you buy one? You bet, as long as you understand its manual nature and its poor performance wide open. Fuji X cameras have excellent manual focus aids so you won't have any problem using it in the field. Heck, it's only $150. Some people spend more than that on a filter.
Latest Reviews
Nikon’s retro-looking Nikon Zfc is anything but retro. Under its classic body is a host of features and amenities that make it a worthwhile compact mirrorless camera for 2024.
The Canon EOS R50 is one of the newest R-system cameras from Canon. Is it worth your money? Find out all the details you need to know in this comprehensive review.
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is Sony’s flagship mirrorless zoom lens. As such, it’s loaded with features and has a top-shelf build quality that makes it a top pick!
The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!
 |  |
 |  |
Latest Articles
Nikon’s retro-looking Nikon Zfc is anything but retro. Under its classic body is a host of features and amenities that make it a worthwhile compact mirrorless camera for 2024.
Moving from taking snapshots of your dog to creating beautiful images doesn’t have to be that difficult! Use the tips outlined in this dog photography guide, and you’ll get better results in no time.
Acrylic print photos are a beautiful way to display your favorite images. But they don’t come without some questions. Get all the answers you need about this medium in this guide!
Where do you get your landscape photography inspiration? Is it from masters like Ansel Adams? Or perhaps viewing art from other genres? We’ve got these and a few other sources for you to check out!
The Canon EOS R50 is one of the newest R-system cameras from Canon. Is it worth your money? Find out all the details you need to know in this comprehensive review.
Too often, affordable online printing companies don’t meet your expectations of what a print should look like. But there are some choices that combine affordability with superb quality!
Self-critique is an important component of your journey to improving as a photographer. Use these simple tips about critiquing your work as a means to make faster progress with your art.
With these easy iPhone photography tips, you can maximize the functionality of your iPhone’s camera and get much-improved results for portraits, landscapes, and any other genre!