Third-party lenses have been beneficial for many individuals who require a second lens. This can mean you get a lens that offers more flare or extra bokeh, or it can provide a good build quality. Third-party lenses are also more cost-effective, but that comes at a cost of weather sealing. However, if the latter doesn’t matter to you, then there are a few options in this list that can be of help to you today.
Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary
The Sigma 16mm f1.4 lens features 16 elements in 13 groups. It has 9 rounded blades, a minimum focusing distance of 9.8 inches, and a magnification of 1:9.9. Some of its good qualities include some weather sealing, fast aperture, and a fast autofocus performance. The bokeh is also lovely, which makes it ideal for many situations. Moreover, the lens produces sharp images and has good color rendition, and fringing is minimal.
Zeiss Loxia 25mm f2.4
The Zeiss Loxia 25mm f2.4 is a superb offering in many ways. Designed with 10 elements in 8 groups, it has a close focusing distance of 0.25m, and a magnification ratio of 1:6.4. The lens is weather sealed, has a good metal body, and offers pleasing bokeh. In addition, the image quality is quite sharp, the colors are saturated, and you get images that are true to life. Paired with a Sony camera, there is so much to love about the lens.
7Artisans 50mm f1.1
The 7Artisans 50mm f1.1 is yet another offering for full-frame Leica M cameras. There is no auto focus, but you get 12 aperture blades, a 0.7 of minimum focusing distance, and an aluminum body. The lens is designed with 7 elements in 6 groups and weighs only 400g. An affordable lens, it offers beautiful bokeh, sharpness, and it also feels nice in your hands. It works splendidly with M-mount cameras and even the Sony A7R III. In addition, you get gorgeous flare, it is fun to use, and you get a rubber focus tab for your needs. As we said in our review, “Want that soft look? You can get it. Want that super sharp look? It’s got that. Want lens flare? Oh man, does this lens control it just right! The 7Artisans 50mm f1.1 surely has character to it.”
Lomography Neptune Lenses
The Lomography Neptune Lenses come in three different focal ranges: Thalassa 35mm, Despina 50mm, and Proteus 80mm. The 35mm has a closest focusing distance of 0.25m, the 50mm has a closest focusing distance of 0.4m, and the 80mm has a closest focusing distance of 0.8m. Some of the things that the lens excels at are all-metal build, lens flare, and the lens’s offer sharpness. The images are beautiful when the lenses hit the right light. They are also small and light, and you can never take one image that is unflattering.
