Here’s the first in a new line of lenses by Chinese company Zonlai: a 22mm f/1.8 manual focus lens, for APS-C mirrorless cameras (Canon EOS M, Fuji X, Sony E, and Micro 4/3 mount). It’s a very low-budget option – let’s see if it’s a cut above the competition.
All pictures taken by me on Sony a7r ii and Sony a5100 cameras.
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Music:
‘Opportunity Walks’, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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Price: $159.99
Zonlai 22mm F1.8 Ultra Wide Angle Lens for Sony E-Mount APS-C Mirrorless Cameras Manual Focus Prime Fixed Lens (Black)
8 Elements in 6 Groups. Ideal Aperture with 10 Diaphragm Blades F1.8 - F16 Wide Aperture: Deliver A Beautiful Bokeh While The Subject Remains Sharp High Quality Optical Glasses, Aluminum Metal Body and Brass Bayonet Mount to Ensure Accuracy and Durab... (as of May 19, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $159.99
Zonlai 22mm F1.8 Wide Angle Lens for Fuji Fujifilm X Mount APS-C Mirrorless Cameras Manual Focus Prime Fixed Lens (Black)
8 Elements in 6 Groups. Ideal Aperture with 10 Diaphragm Blades F1.8 - F16 Wide Aperture. Deliver A Beautiful Bokeh While The Subject Remains Sharp High Quality Optical Glasses, Aluminum Metal Body and Brass Bayonet Mount to Ensure Accuracy and Durab... (as of May 19, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $78.95
Hengyijia 25mm F1.8 (Silver) HD.MC Manual Focus Lens for Fujifilm FX X Mount Camera …
Fast f1.8 aperture 'normal' lens Yields 37.5mm equivalent field of view Twelve blade circular aperture unit for impressive portraits Maximum f/1.8 aperture, great for low-light shooting Compact and lightweight; goes anywhere (as of May 19, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $99.99
Hey Chris ! Can you review the 7artisans 35mm f1.2 for Sony crop cameras! It’s only $145 usd
The body design of this lens probably make it pair well with Fuji cameras!
Do you think I can mount this lens (Canon mount) on a Canon EF to M43 focal reducer to a M43 body? Thanks.
really interested in this for astrophotography!
Interesting new lens, came very close as the kamlan 28mm f1.4
Second:)
Wish the Manufakturers would design these small lenses for fullframe more often
Have you heard the amazing news of the Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 full frame lens, the 100mm f/2.8 2:1 macro lens, and the 25-100mm f/2.8 APSC lens?
Does this strike you as the same lens as the 7artisans 25mm f1.8? I have noticed this lens appearing more and more, but it strikes me as being the same lens, just with some slightly different casing, for example, a different aperture ring. Curious to hear you thoughts. Kind regards.
everything screams Laica knockoff …..zonLAI …font on the lens….lenshood….and the lens itself.
There is an apsc cctv 25mm f1.4 thats smaller and cheap (50$). Sharp as hell becauze its purpose is to identify criminals, but poor contrast.
It is My favourite len for travel
Thank you very very much for this review. I was looking for this lens since I love 35mm focal on full frame, and I use inexpensive gear for walk-around photography because of the stealers. It is compact and very sharp as you showed on this video. Definitively I’m going for it. Thanks!
First ;D
It looks like a 1950s Leica lens. I’ll stick with my 1950s Leica lens 🙂 Thumbs up for the review nevertheless.
Why did you delete your previous video
What adaptor would I need for the Canon M3?
I bought this lens for under 100$ in China when it first released, the manual focus is tricky, from infinity to 1.5m just needs a little bit turn on the focus ring, within that range it’s difficult to make precise adjustments
Wow, a gem at 160$. Thank you so much for this review. I was gonna go for the samyang 21mm
Cristopher. Could you tell me briefly how is your setup to photograph the sharpness test chart?
And also approximately how big is it?
Thank you so much! I love your videos and have watched almost all of them!
Impressive results for 160$
this tiny lens will attract enthusiast.
why these chinese lenses? tsk!
I think C-mount lenses like CCTV lenses manufacturers are now making small mirrorless camera lenses. Original C mount lenses are really cheap.
Thanks again and greetings from Denmark
Thank you for trying this lens, on AliExpress I had seen it and I was curious about it, some youtubers have reviewed it, but I do not trust them, they do not do it with the thoroughness that you do. thanks Christopher
Nice to see even more affordable mirrorless options. Great review, Christopher.
My dream lenses for apsc cameras are 24mm f1.4 and 60mm f1.4. They’ll never be made.
Thanks for the sharing.
IF ONE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THIS ONE AND THE NIFTY FIFTY (CANON 50MM 1.8F) WHICH ONE WOULD U CHOOSE? FOR PORTRAITS (GREAT BOKEH) AND INDOOR SHOOTING (WIDE ANGLE LOW LIGHT)
it would be more valuable in a nikon mount, so with a metabones I’d get 1.4 and 35mm on my m43
please do a review for the sony a7III vs. sony a7rIII