Rumor: 7Artisans 135mm f/1.8 AF Is Coming
Disclaimer: This article is based on leaked information and the unofficial presentation of the lens at the CP+ show. 7Artisans has not made a final commercial announcement with confirmed pricing or release date.
Overview
7Artisans has been quietly building a reputation for punching well above its weight class in the third-party lens market. But if the buzz coming out of CP+ 2026 is accurate, the Chinese manufacturer is about to make its most ambitious move yet: a 135mm f/1.8 with native autofocus, compatible with the three major mirrorless mount systems — Sony E, Nikon Z, and Leica L-mount.
The photography community has been buzzing — and understandably so. An affordable, native-AF 135mm f/1.8 from a third-party brand would be a genuinely disruptive release.
What We Know So Far
Based on information shared at the CP+ show booth and picked up by specialist sites including L-Rumors, SonyAlphaRumors, and Asobinet, the confirmed specs for the 7Artisans 135mm F1.8 AF are:
- Focal length: 135mm (full-frame)
- Maximum aperture: f/1.8 constant
- Compatible mounts: Sony E / Nikon Z / Leica L-mount
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.68m — notably short for a 135mm, enabling close-up shots with strong subject impact
- Physical aperture ring for intuitive exposure control
- AF/MF switch for smooth toggling between autofocus and manual focus
- Customizable function button on the lens barrel, assignable via the camera body
Why This Lens Matters
The 135mm f/1.8 AF segment has historically been the domain of premium, flagship optics. Current native-AF options include the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (~$2,100) and the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB, which was the first Chinese-made AF entry in this class and received strong reviews — but still lands around $750–900.
If 7Artisans can come in below that threshold — consistent with their usual positioning — this would be one of the most talked-about lens releases of the year across all three mount ecosystems.
Who Is This Lens For?
A 135mm f/1.8 AF is a specialized tool, but for those who need it, it's irreplaceable:
- Portrait photography: The combination of a long focal length and f/1.8 aperture produces extraordinary subject isolation, with soft, creamy background blur that flatters faces beautifully.
- Sports and action: Native AF opens the door to subject tracking in motion — something impossible with 7Artisans' existing manual-focus 135mm options.
- Narrative and cinematic video: The physical aperture ring is a detail videographers genuinely appreciate for smooth, manual exposure control. The AF/MF switch makes scene transitions seamless.
- Wildlife and nature: A minimum focusing distance of 0.68m is a real practical advantage, allowing closer work without losing the compression benefits of the focal length.
- Candid street photography: 135mm lets you work from a comfortable distance, capturing unposed moments without intruding on the scene.
How It Compares to the Competition
| Lens | Mount | Aperture | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM | E | f/1.8 | ~$2,100 |
| Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB | E / Z / L | f/1.8 | ~$800 |
| Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art | EF / SA (adapted) | f/1.8 | ~$1,200 |
| 7Artisans 135mm f/1.8 AF (rumor) | E / Z / L | f/1.8 | TBC — likely under $700 |
When Will It Be Available?
No official release date has been confirmed. Its appearance at CP+ — Asia's largest photography trade show, held in Yokohama — strongly suggests the lens is in an advanced stage of development or production. Lenses presented at CP+ typically reach the market within 3 to 6 months of their showing. We'll be watching closely for any updates.
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