Fujian 35mm f1.7 - Can you use a CCTV lens?

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 Let me get this straight right away: no, you can't use this lens on your reflex and it doesn't cover full frame.

 The Fujian 35mm f1.7 is a CCTV C-mount lens, meaning that is made to be used on security cameras. Chances are, in fact, that you might have seen a lens like this at your bank or something like that.

 But here comes the beauty of APS-C mirrorless cameras: you can adapt basically anything.

fujian 35mm 1.7

 The C mount is a type of lens mount found on 16mm movie cameras, microscopes and security cameras and lenses for this mount are build to cover 8 and 16mm film and small sensors, mostly under 1 inch. The flange distance is 17.526mm, shorter than Fuji X, Canon EF-M, Sony E and micro four thirds, but they can easily be used with and adapter.

So, what about the lens itself?

 Well, first of all, it's actually made of nothing but metal and glass, making it quite hefty for the size, with a weight of roughly 150 grams and a length of 50mm; surprisingly for such a cheap lens, the focusing is internal, so it doesn't change size when focusing. The iris has 12 blades, another surprising feature, and the aperture goes from f1.7 to f16. Depending on the distributor and under what name it is sold, you might also get a couple of macro rings with it.

 Talking about the image quality, it's... not bad. It is an acquired taste, but it sure has a lot of character.

 Wide open it's not really sharp, but stopping it down a little it gets better... in the center. It quickly falls off towards the edges, giving the images almost a tilt shift vibe, but at the same time driving the eye to the subject.

 Chromatic aberration is present, but very well controlled and rarely distracting. Boke is somewhat nervous, with some hard edges and kind of intense, I would say.

 At the end of the day, while the Fujian 35mm 1.7 is objectively a bad lens, it is also very subjective, and can lend itself to some creative use, especially in portraying dreamy or otherworldly imagery.
For more samples, check the full video:

 Flaring, well, it's something, let's put it that way. Most people will probably hate it, because it can easily get out of control, with consequent loss of contrast and massive circular flares. Or soft and beautiful light leaks, depending on the situation.

 As always, let me know your experience with this lens, if you have any question feel free to ask in the comments below and don’t forget to check the full video for all the samples.


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