7Artisans and Seagull have announced the Seagull × 7Artisans M 35mm f/1.7, a limited-edition manual-focus lens for Leica M-mount cameras. Production is capped at 500 units worldwide, each individually serialized and accompanied by a commemorative badge bearing the Seagull bull logo and the inscription “35MM F1.7 No.XXX/500.”

The collaboration connects 7Artisans — a Chinese manufacturer known for affordable manual-focus lenses across multiple mount systems — with the Seagull brand, which carries a significant place in the history of Chinese photography. Originally established as the Shanghai Camera Factory, Seagull became one of China’s main camera manufacturers during the second half of the twentieth century, producing twin-lens reflex cameras, rangefinders, and SLR systems across several decades. The brand adopted the Seagull name in 1968 as its products reached export markets. After manufacturing more than 20 million cameras, it ceased production of complete camera systems in 2004, before returning with digital imaging products in subsequent years. The 35mm f/1.7 is described as the first large-aperture manual-focus lens released since that revival.

The optical formula consists of eight elements in six groups, covering a 64-degree angle of view and focusing from 0.7 meters to infinity, and the aperture runs from f/1.7 to f/16 via a clicked ring, with a 10-blade diaphragm. The front filter thread is 40.5mm, and the lens supports rangefinder-coupled focusing through the standard split-image patch of compatible Leica M cameras. A crescent-shaped focusing tab is integrated into the barrel, a traditional M-mount design convention that facilitates one-finger focus adjustment. The body is machined metal with an anodized finish and weighs 145 grams. A round metal lens hood with a matte-threaded interior is included.

Here are some sample pictures, courtesy of 7Artisans: