Brightin Star Reveals Its First Ultra-Wide Autofocus Lens
Brightin Star has announced the AF 12mm f/2.8, an ultra-wide-angle prime lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras, available in Sony E and Nikon Z mounts. The lens was previewed at the NAB Show in Las Vegas ahead of its official release, marking a notable development for the brand: it is the Chinese company’s first ultra-wide lens to incorporate an autofocus system, adding to an existing lineup that includes autofocus primes at 24mm, 35mm, and 85mm for full frame, and a 50mm for APS-C.
The 12mm focal length produces a 122.5-degree field of view, but unlike fisheye designs, which are common at this focal length, the lens uses a rectilinear optical formula. This approach reduces the bending of light associated with more curved elements, resulting in more accurate geometric rendering — a characteristic relevant to architectural photography, interior work, and videography, where straight lines are expected to remain straight.
The optical construction consists of 15 elements arranged in 11 groups, and its formula incorporates high refractive index elements, extra-low dispersion glass sourced from HOYA, and aspherical components, with the stated goal of controlling chromatic aberration and maintaining sharpness across the frame. A multi-layer coating is applied to reduce flare and ghosting under high-contrast conditions.
Autofocus is driven by a stepping motor, which the manufacturer describes as fast, precise, and near-silent. This characteristic makes the lens applicable to video production as well as still photography, where quiet focus transitions are a practical requirement. The minimum focusing distance is 0.3 meters, allowing close-range compositions with an exaggerated sense of depth and foreground emphasis.
The lens body includes an AF/MF switch, a customizable function button, an aperture ring, and a manual focus ring. The integrated petal-shaped hood protects the front element and helps manage flare, while a rear mount gasket provides basic resistance to dust and moisture. The lens measures approximately 97mm in length and 70mm in diameter, and weighs 499 grams.
Here are few sample pictures, courtesy of Brightin Star:
Neither pricing nor official release date have been confirmed.
