Rumor: 7Artisans launches a 135mm f/1.8 with AF for mirrorless

Notice: This article is based on leaked information and the unofficial presentation of the lens in the CP+ room. 7Artisans has not made a definitive commercial announcement with a confirmed price or release date.

Overview

7Artisans has been carving out a niche for years in the mirrorless optics market with value-for-money proposals that are difficult to ignore. But if the rumors circulating behind the CP+ 2026 are correct, the Chinese brand is about to take its most ambitious step to date: a 135mm f/1.8 with native autofocus, compatible with the three big mirrorless mounts on the market —Sony E, Nikon Z and Leica L.

The news has ignited photography communities around the world, and rightly so. A third-party 135mm f/1.8 AF at an affordable price would be a lens that many photographers have been waiting for for a long time.

What we know so far

According to the information presented at the CP+ stand and collected by specialized sites such as L-Rumors, SonyAlphaRumors and Asobinet, the leaked specifications of the 7Artisans 135mm F1.8 AF are as follows:

• Focal: 135mm (full-frame)
• Maximum aperture: constant f/1.8
• Compatible mounts: Sony E / Nikon Z / Leica L-mount
• Minimum focusing distance: 0.68 m — remarkably short for a 135mm, which opens the door to close-ups with great visual impact
• Aperture ring physical for control intuitive
• AF/MF switch to switch between autofocus and manual without entering menus
• Customizable function button on the barrel, assignable from the camera

Why is this lens relevant?

The 135mm f/1.8 AF segment is elite territory. So far, native autofocus options in this range include lenses like the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (~€1,900) or the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art retrofit. The Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 was the first to open the gap from the Chinese manufacturers, with very good reviews but at a price around €700-900.

If 7Artisans manages to position its version at a lower price – something common in its catalog – we would be facing one of the most disruptive launches of the year in the mirrorless optics market.

Ideal uses for photographers and videomakers

A 135mm f/1.8 AF is not a lens for everyone, but for those who need it, it is simply irreplaceable:

• Portrait photography: The combination of long focal length and f/1.8 aperture produces brutal background separation, with a soft and enveloping bokeh perfect for faces.
• Sports and action photography: Native AF opens the door to tracking a moving subject, something impossible with the brand's manual 135mm.
• Narrative and cinematic video: The physical aperture ring is a detail highly appreciated by videomakers who control the exposure manually. The AF/MF switch makes it easy to transition between shots.
• Nature and wildlife photography: The minimum distance of 0.68 m is a real advantage for getting closer to the subject without going too far away.
• Street photography with distance: The 135mm allows you to work discreetly, capturing spontaneous moments without interfering in the scene.

Comparison with the competition

When will it be available?

There is no official date. Its appearance at CP+ (Asia's largest photography fair, held in Yokohama) suggests that 7Artisans is in advanced stages of development or production. It is common for the lenses presented in CP+ to reach the market between 3 and 6 months after their presentation. We will closely monitor any developments.