Review of the 7artisans Photoelectric 35mm f/1.4 Lens for Sony E

1. Bokeh

2. Aberrations

3. Flares

4. Handling

5. Overall

1. Bokeh

Despite an apparently novel lens design, bokeh is unmistakably vintage in character. Reminiscent of some Sonnar designs, there is strong outlining on the outer edges of bokeh balls, with weaker outlining on the inner edges. At the extremes of the frame bokeh balls take on a gum-drop shape. The bokeh imparts a dreamlike movement to the background; not the swirl you would see in double-gauss/planar designs, but something more chaotic and magical, like trees moving in the wind.   

Bokeh can reach expressionist levels with the right background.

"Whimsical"most succinctly describes the 1.4/35's bokeh. 

2. Aberrations

Vignetting is present but not substantial. Central sharpness is very good, and overall sharpness is almost always sufficient for artistic photos. There is some softness in the corners, so positioning the subject in the extreme corners at mid- or full-body distances can make a photo unusable outside of small-format applications such as Instagram. Chromatic aberration is not pronounced enough to cause problems.  

Minor chromatic aberration on extreme backlighting.

3. Flares 

This lens' flares can be complex and chaotic. I didn't encounter any veil flaring, which is an advantage over vintage glass. 

Light sources just off-frame give beautiful orange ghosts.

In-frame light sources give complex geometrical green flares, rainbow arcs, and linear sunbursts. 

The character of the bokeh begs to be used in B+W.

The rainbow arcs can add a touch of magic if carefully tamed.

4. Handling

A small and dense lens at 50x50mm and 298g. Solidly built without play. Deliberate and reassuring aperture clicks provide a substantial and satisfying tactile experience, with just the right stiffness to avoid accidental adjustments. Focus is smooth and appropriately damped.

I get the most daily use out of lenses 5cm and smaller, so this one fits right in. It is comparable in size with some of my most used lenses: 

Voigtlander Ultron 2.0/28 + adapter = 4.7cm

Voigtlander Nokton 1.4/35 + adapter = 4.0cm 

7A 1.2/35 = 3.6cm

Jupiter 3 1.5/50 + adapter = 4.7cm

Canon LTM 1.2/50 + adapter = 5.0cm

5. Overall

A whimsical art lens, rich in character, at an absurdly low price. Small enough to be a daily carry. Well built. Echos of Sonnar character in a specification technically impossible for a true Sonnar to achieve on full frame. Quite remarkable. Challenging and diverse lens flares add to it's already expressive rendering.

It's biggest competition for a spot in my camera bag is always the Voigtlander Nokton 1.4/35, a slightly smaller lens with a rich and unapologetically gaussian character. 

Another attractive alternative would be the 7artisans 35mm f2.0 - a true Sonnar, slightly smaller, less character, with lauded performance across the frame at the cost of 1 stop.

Note: this lens was sent to me from 7artisans at no cost for review purposes. I was not paid for this review, and 7artisans did not have early access to the contents of this review.