Brightin Star Introduces Low-Cost Manual-Focus 35mm f/1.4 Prime
Brightin Star has introduced a new manual-focus 35mm f/1.4 prime lens aimed at full-frame mirrorless systems, expanding its range of low-cost, fast-aperture optics. Positioned as a simple alternative to more complex and expensive autofocus designs, the lens is available for Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount, and, depending on the version, Fujifilm X, reflecting the company’s strategy of offering broad mount compatibility.
The Chinese company’s new product is compact and lightweight, with weight varying slightly by mount but generally remaining close to 220 grams. Its physical design emphasizes manual operation, featuring a clearly marked focus ring and a mechanical aperture ring that can be switched between clicked and de-clicked operation. This allows the lens to be used for both still photography and basic video work without electronic aperture control. A 49mm filter thread is used across versions, reinforcing the lens’s small footprint.
Optically, the lens employs a seven-element, six-group construction that includes a high-refractive-index element and a low-dispersion element, based on a double-Gauss layout. This design is intended to maintain reasonable sharpness across the frame, including at wider apertures, while keeping size and cost under control. The nine-blade diaphragm supports smooth out-of-focus rendering, and the lens is also claimed to produce pronounced sunstar effects when stopped down. Minimum focusing distance is approximately 0.3 meters, allowing for relatively close framing in everyday shooting situations.
As a fully manual lens, it lacks autofocus, electronic contacts for in-camera corrections, optical stabilization, and weather sealing, as a result of Brightin Star’s move to prioritize mechanical simplicity and affordability over speed and automation. The 35mm focal length offers a neutral field of view that suits general-purpose photography, including street, travel, and environmental portrait work.
In the broader market, the lens competes primarily with other manual-focus 35mm f/1.4 options from Chinese and Japanese manufacturers, many of which cost significantly more. Compared with first-party autofocus lenses from major camera brands, it represents a substantial reduction in price at the expense of convenience and system integration.
The Brightin Star 35mm f/1.4 is currently available for purchase through the manufacturer and selected retailers, with pricing generally listed at $159–170 depending on mount and region.
