You do not get good fast prime lenses at the cost of bargaining – certainly not below $ 400. This is what we thought. But this lens of Sirui seems to be a complete hidden gem that we need to talk about.
For the longest time, photographers have known that if you want a good quality lens with large, fast aperture, you will have to spend one hand and one foot for one. Every now and then, a good one comes together which is more and more inexpensive, but this lens from Sirui – a brand that is better for the tripod – which we used to say is much cheaper than that.
Sirui sniper 75 mm f/1.2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm0hb3Aqwf8
Sirui’s sniper series lens lineup includes five fast Prime lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras, available in Sony E, Fuji X and Nikon Z Mount. There are 16 mm f/1.2, 23 mm f/1.2, 33 mm f/1.2 with 75 mm, and a 56 mm f/1.2, which all personally sell below $ 350 and are available in white, gray or black.
Sirui sniper 75 mm f/1.2 A 93 mm x 80 mm (3.7 x 3.1 in) lens with a barrel made of plastic and metal mixture and weighs 466 grams (1.02 pounds). The lens contains an reversible plastic hood that is around 67 mm filter thread on the highest part. About 40% of the length of the barrel towards the distal end is made up of a textured focus ring, while the rest is an empty surface because the lens does not come with any physical switch. The most proximal ends mount autofocuses and a metal lens with electronic contacts for data.
This fixed focal length 75 mm has a aperture range of f/1.2 to F/16, in which aperture control is only available through the assigned dial or wheel of the camera body. Its minimum focus is 0.7 meters, something that you will expect from relatively tight prime lenses.
Unexpected performance
It is notable that prime lens with autofocus capabilities are now more available and accessible, especially for photographers on a budget or who are now starting and want to try various focal lengths and aperture combinations. Surprisingly about this lens is that it does not only have autofocuses-the motion and accuracy can actually catch the main camera brands with the most non-flagship line lens. Although speed fast action can not be best for shooting such as in sports, for any other regular use that may include some common movements, autofocus up and is compatible with subject recognition and tracking, at least in the Sony system for this particular lens. This functionality is consistent for use in both photo and video applications.
More than the focus speed and accuracy, another more pleasant surprise is looking at the overall acuity that provides this lens. It can solve small details very well, even on f/1.2, in combination, of course, with accurate focus. It attains its extreme sharp on F/2, which is consistent to F/4, where it declines minimal in the aperture range. In addition, even in backlit conditions at maximum aperture, no problem was seen with chromatic abscons, which makes the performance of this budget prime lens even more amazing.
One aspect that stands 75 mm variants out of the second lens in the Sirui Snipper line is that it is actually compatible with full frame cameras. When a full frame camera is used with the camera body, it allows you to maximize the depth of the area at 75 mm to smear the impressive creamy background in the right situations. Combining the capabilities of this lens, image quality and focusing performance, as well as with the fact that it is probably the cheapest lens of its kind, makes it one of the best budget lenses for mirrorless cameras that we have seen so far.
Application
While the lenses, of course, are usually not only limited to only a few applications, because the focal length-especially with the APS-C crop factor-is undisputed that the sirui sniper is 75 mm f/1.2 in the best shine shooting portraits. The fact that it provides great image quality even when it is wider open, as well as the fact that it can offer an attractive background (and foreground) spot, it creates a lens that can provide great results when used in the correct reference and environment. Due to the opening of a large f/1.2, it can certainly perform very well in low light, and when paired with a competent camera autofocus system, it can be very helpful in shooting both stils and videos in low light conditions.
Similarly, this lens can still be quite useful in life or shooting of products, unless it requires much focus on small details. With isolation and expansion, it can be great in photographing objects in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Perhaps the only visionary circumstances where this lens cannot be optimal, is very fast for a picture of movement, such as in sports. While the autofocus does well in controlled conditions, the speed with which it tracks the subjects can leave the place for missed shots.
conclusion
All the forces and weaknesses of this lens, we can definitely say that it is still quite offered, especially considering $ 320 price tag (Can vary depending on the retailer). For an affordable price, this lens offers a large aperture Prime suitable for very low light performance and a wide range of applications. It can be benefited by having a physical switch and even adaptable buttons, but regardless of this, the availability of such lens at such a price can definitely enable photographers, videographers, or material creators who are on a budget or just starting.
What did i like
- Big f/1.2 aperture
- Effective and precise autofocus
- Compatible with full frame cameras
- Cheap price tag
What i didn’t like
- Shiny finish on barrel
- No Physical Air Force/MF switch
- Lens hood is rather soft and rubber
