7Artisans 14mm F/2.8 (2025) Lens Review

Recently I decided that to fill the gap I was missing between the 11mm fisheye F/2.8  and 20mm F/2.8 lenses that I have. I have owned the F Mount version of the 14-24mm previously for my Z Mount, however, it was a huge lens and I decided to sell it. As I generally only ever really used the wide end of that lens, when I seen this affordable option by 7Artisans, I thought, for the price, I would take the plunge. As always for my reviews, the review is my own opinion, of the lens in everyday use.

Background

The Chinese lens manufacturer 7artisans has established itself as a go-to for photographers seeking affordable, manual-focus alternatives to their camera brand’s often-pricier offerings. In mid-2025, they released a new full-frame 14mm F/2.8 lens which I am reviewing today, expanding their line-up of ultra-wide primes. This review breaks down the key features, performance, and overall value of this new offering for photographers and videographers.

Key Specifications & Design

The 7artisans 14mm F/2.8 is a manual-focus, ultra-wide-angle lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, with versions available for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Leica L mounts. The version that is been used is for the Nikon Z mount.

• Focal Length & Aperture: 14mm, with a maximum aperture of F/2.8 and a minimum of F/22.
• Optical Construction: A complex arrangement of 13 elements in 9 groups. This includes two aspherical elements, three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, and five high-refractive-index elements. This sophisticated design aims to minimize distortion and aberrations, a common challenge with ultra-wide lenses.

• Diaphragm: A 10-blade aperture diaphragm, which is promised to produce sharp, beautiful 10-line sun stars.

• Build Quality: The lens features a robust, all-metal construction, giving it a durable and premium feel. It weighs around 504 grams (17.8 ounces), making it relatively compact for an ultra-wide prime.

• Focus & Control: As a manual-focus-only lens, it features a large, well-damped focus ring with a long throw (270°), ideal for precise adjustments, particularly for video. The aperture ring has a unique click/de-click switch, allowing for tactile feedback during photography or smooth, silent transitions for video recording.

• Filter Compatibility: A notable feature is the inclusion of a detachable hood that accepts 77mm screw-in filters. This is a significant advantage, as many ultra-wide lenses either have a built-in bulbous front element that prohibits filters or require large, expensive filter systems.

Optical Performance

The complex optical formula of the 7artisans 14mm F/2.8 is its standout feature. Reviewers have noted that it delivers on its promise of “near-zero distortion”, a crucial selling point for architectural and landscape photography where straight lines are paramount. When I’m editing the raw files in Darktable, I actually find zero distortion, and I only correct the very slight vignetting. The inclusion of ED and aspherical elements helps to control chromatic aberration and ensures sharpness across the entire full-frame image area, even at its widest aperture of F/2.8, and so far the lens has held up well and I’ve not needed to use and CA correction. The lens is capable of producing sharp, high-quality images with good colour reproduction.

One note that I can not miss, the lens is prone to flaring in the images when the sun is in the field of view. Generally a small movement of your position can make a huge difference, or if you really can not move, using the old school method of using your hand to block out the affected area to stop the flare works well.

Focusing

Manual focus on a 14mm lens is not as daunting as it is on a longer telephoto, due to the inherent deep depth of field. This makes the lens particularly well-suited for landscape, architectural, and astrophotography, where subjects are often at infinity. The long focus throw and clear distance markings are a big plus for users who need to nail precise focus. For video, the de-clickable aperture ring and smooth focus ring make it a great option for pulling focus and controlling exposure on the fly. I generally use the lens at F/5.6 or F/8 and have zero trouble in getting images in focus.

Use Cases

This lens is a specialist’s tool, excelling in specific photographic genres:

• Landscape & Architecture: The ultra-wide 116° angle of view allows photographers to capture expansive scenes and dramatic perspectives. The low distortion is perfect for maintaining the integrity of building lines and horizons.

• Astrophotography & Nightscapes: The fast F/2.8 aperture makes it a strong contender for low-light photography, allowing for more light to be gathered and keeping ISO values lower to reduce noise. The promise of excellent sun stars from its 10-bladed aperture is a bonus for cityscapes.

• Environmental Portraits: While a 14mm lens is not a traditional portrait lens, it can be used to create dramatic environmental portraits that place the subject within a magnified and dynamic scene.

Above is a sample gallery of images from the 7Artisans 14mm F/2.8 lens. All images taken with the Nikon Z6ii and edited in Darktable.

Value Proposition & Competition

The 7artisans 14mm F/2.8 is positioned as an affordable entry point into the world of full-frame ultra-wide photography. Priced around £290, it significantly undercuts first-party lenses from Canon, Nikon, and Sony, as well as third-party rivals like Samyang. The 7artisans distinguishes itself with the included 77mm filter holder, a valuable feature for landscape photographers who rely on ND and CPL filters, however even using my ultrathin CPL filters, I had a tiny bit of vignetting from the filter.

Verdict

The new 7artisans 14mm F/2.8 lens is an impressive and compelling offering for 2025. It delivers on its promise of high optical quality in a durable, all-metal body at a price point that is hard to ignore. While the lack of autofocus will be a deal-breaker for some, the manual-focus design, coupled with its excellent performance for specific genres, makes it a fantastic value proposition.

For landscape, architectural, and astrophotography enthusiasts who are comfortable with manual focus, this lens is a highly recommended and accessible tool for expanding their creative horizons. It is a testament to how brands like 7artisans are challenging the market and providing photographers with more options than ever before.

I am really happy with the performance and ease of use of this lens, and from my impressions of using it so far, it is one I will use a lot more in the future.

More examples can be found here and here of the output of this lens.

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