Budget oriented video accessory maker Neewer has been around for quite some time now offering a wide variety of affordable products ranging from amateur equipment to full studio setups for professionals. The company recently rolled out a few ultra budget lenses including the fully manual Neewer 35mm f/1.7 lens costing just $82.
Surprisingly enough, the unit offers sturdy built, all-metal design (including the lens mount and front cap) along with smooth focusing operation. But how does it perform when it comes to image quality? That’s exactly what we are going to find out in the following video review of the lens produced by Max Yuryev below.
Overall, it seems that the lens can offer much more than expected for the price. The unit is not only available in three different versions including Micro 4/3, APS-C and E-Mount but also features smooth, clickless focus and aperture rings that make controlling the lens when shooting video a breeze. In case you want to maximize center sharpness and avoid distortion in the corners of your image, Max recommends stopping down to f/2.8 whereas the sweet spot for getting optimal results in that regard seems to be at around f/5.6.
Even though the lens is not as crisp sharp as some of its way more expensive legit counterparts, it still holds up surprisingly well, especially considering the price. As most cheap lenses, however, the Neewer 35mm f/1.7 suffers from severe fringing that is quite noticeable in high-contrast situations. Again, stopping down to f/2.8 should reduce the effect to a certain degree but if chromatic aberration is a major concern for your workflow, then probably you should pick another lens.
Neewer 35mm f/1.7 Prime Manual Lens Highlights
- Micro 4/3, APS-C, Sony E-Mount versions
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.7
- Photo Filter Thread Size – 49mm
- Smooth Focusing Operation
- Metal Mount for added stability
- Multi-coated technique for exceptional image quality
- Dimensions: 3.58 x 4.49 x 4.49 inches
- Comes with lens front and rear caps and microfiber cleaning cloth
- Price: $82
That being said, the Neewer 35mm f/1.7 is a fantastic entry-level lens for newbie filmmakers and enthusiasts alike working on a shoestring budget. It will to not only allow you to nail your focus and aperture with ease but it’s also capable of producing some stunning swirly bokeh. When you add the sturdy all-metal design, along with the extremely affordable price tag, it’s clearly worth giving this lens a shot despite its obvious limitations.
[source: Max Yuryev]
Amazon Order Links:
Neewer 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Prime Fixed Lens Micro 4/3 Mount
Neewer 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Prime Fixed Lens Sony E-Mount
Neewer 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Prime Fixed Lens FUJIFILM APS-C Mount
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Sample images?
Well, that would make too much sense! 🙂