Brightin Star’s New 12mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide

credits: Brightin Star

Brightin Star has introduced a new AF 12mm f/2.8 ultra-wide-angle lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras, built around a design that tries to balance field of view with more controlled distortion. At 12mm, the lens delivers a 122.5-degree angle of view, which sits in ultra-wide territory, but unlike many lenses at this focal length, it is not designed to produce a fisheye-style photo. Instead, the goal here is to keep straight lines more intact, which is generally more useful for things like architecture photography.

The optical construction is relatively complex, using 15 elements in 11 groups, including high refractive index elements, extra-low dispersion glass, and aspherical elements. That kind of setup is typically meant to reduce chromatic aberration and keep image quality more consistent across the frame, especially toward the edges where ultra-wide lenses tend to struggle. There is also a multi-layer coating applied to help manage flare and contrast when shooting in high-contrast scenes or into direct light.

Autofocus is handled by a stepping motor, which is usually chosen for smoother and quieter operation, particularly in video use. The lens also includes a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters, allowing for close-up wide-angle compositions where perspective distortion becomes more pronounced. Physically, it comes in at around 96.6mm in length and 499 grams. The Brightin Star AF 12mm f/2.8 will be available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, although pricing has not been confirmed yet.