A budget lens with a fast aperture can open creative doors that expensive glass sometimes can’t. The 7Artisans 75mm f/1.4 lens is a strong example of that: compact, solid, and priced at just $180. You’ll give up electronic contacts, autofocus, and weather-sealing, but what you get in return is a lens with real personality and a look that isn’t sterile or overly corrected.
Coming to you from Andrei Dima, this practical video explores the 7Artisans 75mm f/1.4 lens on the Nikon Zf. Dima takes it through three different cities in northern Spain, showing how it performs in real shooting conditions rather than just in a studio. The lens is fully metal, from body to cap, and while the screw-on cap isn’t ideal, it reinforces the rugged feel. The clicked aperture ring stands out as a useful touch, especially for stills work, and the smooth focus ring makes manual focusing manageable even if you’re not experienced. Dima notes that at f/1.4 the lens is soft, but stopping down to f/2.8 or smaller improves sharpness and contrast dramatically.
That softness wide open is actually part of the appeal. Many expensive lenses chase technical perfection, but this one has a vintage character. At f/1.4 you’ll see dreamy rendering, some purple fringing, and soft corners with vignetting. By f/4 the lens sharpens up nicely, offering more balanced results. Flare resistance is decent, with only minor contrast loss when shooting into strong light. Focus breathing is noticeable if you plan to use it for video, but still manageable. Considering the price point, those tradeoffs may be more feature than flaw depending on your style.
Key Specs
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Focal length: 75mm
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Maximum aperture: f/1.4
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Minimum aperture: f/16
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Optical construction: 6 elements in 6 groups
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Diaphragm blades: 13
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Minimum focus distance: 0.88 m
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Filter thread: 58 mm
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Weight: 408 g
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Frame type: Full frame
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Focus: Manual only
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Mounts: Nikon Z, Sony E, Canon RF, Leica L
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Build: Metal
Dima emphasizes how the lens balances on the Nikon Zf with its grip, making it comfortable for street and travel use. At f/5.6 it delivers impressive sharpness across the frame, making it versatile for more than just portraits. The color rendition and transition from in-focus to out-of-focus areas are smooth, with bokeh that some may love and others may not. That subjective character is what sets it apart from clinical lenses and makes it an intriguing tool if you’re willing to adapt to its quirks. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dima.
