7Artisans M28mm 28mm F1.4 Compatible 28mm
The f/1.4 maximum aperture with 13 diaphragm blades delivers a distinctive bokeh, while the 28mm focal length offers a 75-degree angle of view that suits both portraits and landscapes without exaggerated distortion. The double-sided aspherical and two ED glass elements correct edge sharpness and chromatic aberration, maintaining image quality even at full aperture. This lens is best for Leica M-mount shooters who want a fast, compact prime for street and environmental portraits, though its low customer rating of 3.3/5 suggests checking sample images before purchase.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Gorgeous bokeh at a bargain price, but it's a one-trick pony. Buy it for the f/1.4 magic, not for versatility.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Bokeh is absolutely gorgeous, best-in-class for the price 99th
- f/1.4 aperture with 13 blades means dreamy backgrounds 98th
- Solid sharpness at f/2.0 and beyond 98th
- Full-frame Leica M coverage without the Leica price tag 79th
Cons
- Manual focus only, and the AF score is just average
- Build quality feels budget, 29th percentile
- Not weather sealed, so keep it dry
- Versatility is limited, this is a specialty lens
What owners think
The Word on the Street
The proof
Performance
The headline here is the f/1.4 aperture with 13 blades. That's a recipe for creamy, circular bokeh, and it delivers. The 99th percentile bokeh score isn't marketing fluff, it's the real deal. The double-sided aspherical and two ED elements do their job too, keeping chromatic aberration in check and edge sharpness respectable even wide open. But the autofocus is just average, and the optical quality overall sits right at the middle of the pack. It's a lens that rewards you for slowing down and shooting deliberately, not for spray-and-pray.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 28 |
| Focal Length Max | 28 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 13 |
Build
| Mount | Leica M |
| Format | full-frame |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 28 |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Tamron 28-300mm or Sigma 16-300mm, the 7Artisans is a completely different animal. Those zooms are versatile, weather-sealed, and built for travel. The 7Artisans is a prime lens that does one thing exceptionally well: shallow depth of field. The Panasonic Leica 12-35mm and Sony 18-135mm are also more practical for everyday shooting. But none of them can touch the 7Artisans for bokeh at f/1.4. If you want a zoom that does everything okay, get the Tamron. If you want a prime that does one thing beautifully, get this.
| Spec | 7Artisans M28mm 28mm F1.4 Compatible 28mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 28mm | 28-300mm | 18-55mm | 17-40mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Leica M | Sony E | Nikon F | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | - | 590 | 205 | 535 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | - | VXD linear motor | pulse stepping motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7Artisans M28mm 28mm F1.4 Compatible 28mm | 54 | 99 | 29 | 98 | 48.7 | 97.5 | 33.2 | 8.4 | 79.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.6 | 63 | 83.2 | 96.3 | 70.9 | 97.9 | 50.7 | 79.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.8 | 81.4 | 83.7 | 95.4 | 54.6 | 82.8 | 82.8 | 86.2 | 92.3 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 54 | 97 | 67.1 | 72.3 | 96.7 | 95.3 | 75.7 | 94.1 | 34.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 54 | 86.6 | 83.9 | 49 | 86.2 | 88.3 | 80.5 | 86.2 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.4 | 71 | 37.5 | 77.9 | 82.8 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $459 USD, this is a steal if you want that f/1.4 bokeh look on a Leica M body without selling a kidney. You're getting 99th percentile bokeh and 98th percentile aperture for less than half what a comparable Leica lens would cost. If bokeh is your thing, this is a no-brainer. If you need a general-purpose lens, keep looking.
Read more
Overview
The 7Artisans M28mm 28mm F1.4 is a weird, wonderful little lens that punches way above its price for one specific thing: bokeh. At 99th percentile in our database, the out-of-focus rendering is genuinely stunning, especially for a lens you can grab for under $500. But it's a one-trick pony in some ways, and that trick comes with some serious compromises if you're not careful.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens have autofocus?
No, it's manual focus only. The AF score in our database is just average, so don't expect any electronic focusing help. You'll be zone focusing or using the rangefinder patch on your Leica.
Q: Is this lens weather sealed?
Nope. No weather sealing at all. Keep it out of the rain and dust, or you'll be cleaning the elements more often than you'd like.
Q: What's the minimum focus distance?
It focuses down to 28mm, which is pretty close for a 28mm prime. Not true macro territory, but you can get some nice close-up shots with that f/1.4 bokeh.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a travel lens or something versatile, this isn't it. The 28.7/100 travel score tells the story. Go grab a Tamron 28-300mm or Sigma 16-300mm instead. And if you need autofocus or weather sealing, this lens will frustrate you. It's for deliberate, slow shooting where bokeh is the star.
Verdict
The 7Artisans M28mm 28mm F1.4 is a specialty lens for bokeh lovers and Leica shooters who want that dreamy f/1.4 look without the Leica price. It's not a do-everything lens, and the build quality and lack of weather sealing are real drawbacks. But if you know what you're getting into, this lens will make you smile every time you hit that f/1.4 aperture.
