Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 (MFT Version)
1. Introduction
The Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 is a fast, manual focus prime lens for the Micro Four Thirds system, distinguished by its ultra-wide f/0.95 aperture and a very competitive price tag. But regardless of the price, can it deliver? This in-depth review delves into the lens's optical and mechanical intricacies, assessing its image rendering, build quality, and performance characteristics.
Scope of delivery: Metal lens cap, plastic lens cap, documents and foam-padded box.
2. Optical Construction
Focal length: 35mm
Aperture range: f/0.95 to f/16
Diagonal Angular field of view: 34° (on MFT, app.)
Covering power: APS-C sensor format
Optical system: 11 elements in 8 groups
Aperture mechanism: 12 blades
The rather complex lens design necessitates a sophisticated production process for consistent quality. Press materials indicate Brightin Star employs manual craftsmanship, where skilled workers select lens elements rather than just assembling them – a meticulous approach which can ensure optimal performance and unique unit characteristics. The good centering observed in my review copy serves as a measurable example of this attention to quality.
The 12-bladed aperture mechanism set to f/2.8.
3. Design, Engineering and Ergonomics
The Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 on an OM System OM-3, a mid-sized Micro Four Thirds camera.
Weight: 356g
Diameter: 62mm
Length: 59mm (w/o bayonet)
Filter size: 52mm
Aperture control ring
Crafted from CNC-milled aviation-grade anodized aluminum, the lens housing exhibits the tight manufacturing tolerances often found in high-quality lenses. The mechanical front control ring provides a distinct tactile experience for aperture setting, thanks to weighted detents at each f-stop.
Of equally high tactile quality is the wide focus control ring with its viscous dampening. On the review copy, minimal friction is noticeable around the 0.42m focusing distance setting, most likely due to unevenly distributed lubricant – a minor issue typically resolved with prolonged use.
A rear glass element protects the optical group from dust.
Unlike the deeply engraved markings on the lens barrel, the front lettering is a smooth, surface application of paint.
4. Focusing
Focusing mechanism: manual with mechanical coupling
Focusing method: unit focusing
Focus throw: 45°
Focusing range: 0.37m to ∞
Maximum magnification: 0.28× (on MFT, 36×24mm equivalent)
Seemingly designed primarily for photographers is the relatively short 45° focus throw. Despite this, the unit-focusing Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 exhibits only moderate focus breathing, thus making it suitable for movie work as well.
Lens focused at infinity
Lens barrel extension when focused at 0.37m
5. Imaging Performance
Spatial Frequency Response
Tested on an OM System OM-1, the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 achieves peak MTF50 at f/5.6 with 0.35 c/p. MTF50 values decrease beyond this aperture due to optical diffraction, while maximum values remain relatively low at wider apertures. In practical terms, the lens is suitable for filming and computer screen reproduction at most apertures. However, for high-quality prints, stopping down to at least f/2 is recommended.
Close-ups of finely textured subjects shot at f/0.95 show good acutance.
For landscape photography, f/5.6 achieves peak resolving power.
Curvature of Field
f/0.95
f/8.0
f/16.0
The Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 exhibits pronounced curvature of field with a distinct shape, as indicated by the rendered 3D models. Consequently, to achieve near-uniform resolution across the entire frame, the lens needs to be stopped down to a diffraction-impacted aperture of f/8.0 or smaller. Alternatively, one can embrace the resolution fall-off by positioning the subject centrally to leverage a sense of three-dimensionality.
The field curvature of f/0.95 is ideal for food photography.
Cropped app. 1.25×; f/0.95
Monochromatic Aberrations
Test pattern at f/0.95
Diagonal plot of test pattern at f/0.95
Test pattern at f/5.6
Diagonal plot of test pattern at f/5.6
Green box indicates test pattern position on the test chart.
The Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 demonstrates good correction of spherical chromatic aberrations and astigmatism, with the latter remaining below the detection threshold. In contrast, comatic aberrations are noticeable, but can be reduced by stopping the lens down to an aperture of f/5.6.
Chromatic Aberrations
MTF50 vs. distance of Y (black), R, G, B
Full frame chromatic aberrations at f/4.0
The Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 displays prominent longitudinal chromatic aberrations across the full frame. This causes a more gradual decline in MTF50 values in the luminance comp(Y), effectively increasing the depth of field beyond the expectation for an f/0.95 aperture. The spread in MTF50 values among the red, green, and blue channels confirms the extent of these aberrations, which also appear as color fringing in out-of-focus areas of the image. Any lateral chromatic aberrations are masked by these longitudinal color focus errors.
Captured at f/0.95, the high contrast structures reveal the Brightin Star’s logitudinal color focus error.
While still present, the lower contrast details hide the longitudinal chromatic aberrations. Captured at f/0.95.
Curvilinear Distortion
Approximately 70% of the image diagonal exhibits little curvilinear distortion, which increases towards the edges of the full Micro Four Thirds frame. Consequently, while not ideal for high-end reproduction photography, the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95's barrel distortion is negligible for general photography.
The almost imperceptible, but measureable, barrel distortion of the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95.
Illumination Fall-Off
f/0.95, focus: inf.
f/1.4, focus: inf.
f/2.0, focus: inf.
f/0.95, focus: 0.37m
f/1.4, focus: 0.37m
f/2.0, focus: 0.37m
Vignetting is practically absent when using the lens on Micro Four Thirds cameras. Even wide open at f/0.95, only a minimal -0.6 EV of fall-off is observable when focused at infinity, which is almost imperceptible in most photographic situations. Stopping down the lens to f/2.0 yields optimal illumination, with no further improvements at smaller apertures.
The lens's minimal illumination fall-off, even at f/0.95, coupled with its shallow depth of field and field curvature, gives images a distinctive, vintage large format aesthetic.
Lens Flare
Measurements, supported by practical findings, indicate that the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 is prone to noticeable lens flare. Since stopping down exacerbates this issue, in backlit situations, the lens performs best wide open.
By pointing a strong light source at the Brightin Star 35mm set to f/0.95, creative ghosting effects can be achieved. Simultaneously, shadows are subtly brightened by the full frame veiling glare.
Spectral Transmission
The red line indicates the lens’s spectral transmission at f/0.95 relative to the ground truth.
Regarding spectral transmission, the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 exhibits a higher transmittance of red and green light compared to blue light. This characteristic imparts a pleasingly warm tone to captured images, but can also emphasize green hues to a degree that requires intervention in post production.
Warm skin tones and saturated greens are strengths of the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95. Photographed at f/0.95.
PSF Manifestations
f/0.95, background
f/1.4, background
f/2.0, background
f/2.8, background
f/0.95, foreground
f/1.4, foreground
f/2.0, foreground
f/2.8, foreground
Bokeh: The Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95's balanced spherical aberration correction ensures pleasing bokeh in both the foreground and background, characterized by a smooth illumnation fall-off from the center to the edges of the blur patterns. Close examination of out of focus areas reveals color fringing due to the prominent longitudinal color focus error. Off-axis, optical vignetting creates an elliptical bokeh pattern, lending a subtle circular smear to out-of-focus areas—a characteristic often favored in portrait photography. The 12-bladed aperture helps maintain round bokeh shapes even when the lens is stopped down.
At normal magnifications, the color fringing in the bokeh is negligible. Captured at f/0.95.
Diffraction Spikes: Stopped down, the aperture's 12 blades render point light sources with 12 distinct rays.
Diffraction star and flare artefacts
6. Verdict
Brightin Star markets its 35mm f/0.95 for character portraits, evocative still lifes, and food photography—genres for which I also recommend this lens. For these applications, its unique characteristics are almost perfectly suited: the slightly warm rendering enhances skin tones, its moderate resolving power avoids overemphasizing skin details, and the excellent bokeh, combined with sharpness fall-off towards the edges due to field curvature, imparts a sought-after look.
For other applications, the pronounced longitudinal chromatic aberrations might limit its utility. Be that as it may, I successfully used the lens stopped down for landscape photography. It's crucial to remember that it wasn't designed for such use cases, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Finally, the promising build quality makes this lens a valuable addition for discerning portrait and still life photographer.
Purchase link: Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95
7. Lens Twins
It came to my attention that the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 and the 7Artisans 35mm f/0.95 not only share the same lens housing but also match in weight, optical construction, and even manufacturer-provided MTF charts. I'm confident in stating that both lenses are indeed mostly identical. Nonetheless, two important differences might sway your choice. First, the 7Artisans version features a de-clicked aperture ring, which might not be ideal for photography. Second, the distinct typographic design on the Brightin Star lends it a completely different aesthetic. My personal preference favors the Brightin Star version.
Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95; source: Brightin Star
7Artisans 35mm f/0.95; source: 7Artisans
8. Recommended Accessories
As the included items do not include a lens hood, I strongly recommend investing in a metal screw-in lens hood with a 52mm filter thread. A length between 20mm and 35mm is ideal.
My Brightin Star 35mm lens is protected by a K&F Concept Nano-X filter, and I use either a 20mm or 35mm screw-in lens hood depending on whether I prioritze compactness or stray light attenuation is my priority.
