Leica Noctilux alternative is 96% cheaper: 7Artisans 75 mm f/1.25 II features glow-in-the-dark lettering
7Artisans is relaunching one of its more interesting portrait lenses. The 75mm f/1.25 II has been given a modernized design, which differs from its predecessor primarily in its lettering, as the color glows in low light for improved readability.
The weight has been reduced from 600 grams to 514 grams, the aperture ring is said to operate more smoothly and, according to the manufacturer's marketing, the bokeh also looks better than on the previous model. The lens is clearly marketed as a more affordable alternative to the Leica Noctilux-M 1.25/75 ASPH., which, at $15,615, is not only significantly more expensive but also twice as heavy. Those who opt for the 7Artisans lens will have to make do with comparatively lower image quality.
As the manufacturer's MTF curves already show, only objects in the inner third of a photo are rendered relatively sharply. This makes the lens particularly suitable for portraits. As the sample photos from 7Artisans demonstrate, the bokeh is also somewhat less pronounced than with Leica, while photos generally appear slightly less contrasty. The 7Artisans 75mm f/1.25 II can only be focused manually, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.8 meters. The lens barrel is made of aluminum.
Price and availability
The 7Artisans 75mm f/1.25 II full-frame lens is available via the manufacturer's online shop for US$469. Shipping to Europe is free, but the price is subject to import VAT and customs duties.
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