7Artisans’ New 18mm f/2 for Sony E: an AF Wide-Angle Prime for Only $169

7Artisans has been digging its way into the lens market, and its new AF 18mm f/2 for Sony E is another addition to the budget lens family. Part of the brand’s Lite Series, this compact wide-angle is aimed squarely at APS-C shooters looking for a fast, affordable prime without giving up on autofocus. At $169 and already in stock, it’s pretty tempting if you’re looking for a wide-angle prime.

On an APS-C body, the 18mm translates to a 27mm equivalent. Its 77° angle of view works wonderfully for street photography, landscapes, and environmental portraits.

What I find tempting about this lens is the combination of autofocus and a fast f/2 aperture at this price point. Budget lenses at this focal length have historically meant manual focus only, so having AF here genuinely widens the audience. The nine-blade diaphragm is a thoughtful inclusion too. It tends to produce rounder, softer bokeh than cheaper five- or six-blade designs. Still, it probably won’t be all too noticeable on a lens this wide, unless when you shoot wide open at close distances.

The all-metal body is a truly nice touch for a lens this cheap. At just 109 grams and 32mm long, this thing is barely there on a Sony APS-C body. Perfect as a go-to setup for street photography, for example.

The USB-C firmware update port suggests 7Artisans intends to support this lens over time. A downside for some might be that there’s no image stabilization. So, on bodies without IBIS, you’ll be leaning on that f/2 aperture to keep your shutter speed up in low light.

7Artisans 18mm f/2 Lite Specs

Specification	Details
Focal Length	18mm (35mm Equivalent: 27mm)
Aperture	Maximum: f/2 / Minimum: f/16
Lens Mount	Sony E
Lens Format Coverage	APS-C
Angle of View	77°
Minimum Focus Distance	7.9″ / 20 cm
Optical Design	9 Elements in 7 Groups
Aperture/Iris Blades	9
Focus Type	Autofocus
Image Stabilization	No
Filter Size	52mm (Front)
Dimensions	2.5 x 1.3″ / 64 x 32 mm (Diameter x Length)
Weight	0.2 lb / 109 g
Package Weight	0.51 lb
Box Dimensions (L x W x H)	4.1 x 4 x 3.85″

Pricing And Availability

The 7Artisans AF 18mm f/2 Lite for Sony E is available now at $169. No preorder wait, it’s already in stock and shipping.

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