Brightin Star’s New AF 35mm f/1.8 Lens

credits: Brightin Star

Brightin Star just announced a new autofocus 35mm f/1.8 lens for full-frame Sony E and Nikon Z mirrorless systems. It features an internal STM motor that handles autofocus duties and supports eye-detect AF on both Sony and Nikon bodies. Brightin Star says the AF system offers "micron-level" precision, and while that is a claim that is hard to verify, it does mean that this lens is trying to compete in the higher end AF space.

The lens has 11 elements in 8 groups, including two aspherical lenses, a pair of high-refractive elements from Hoya, and one ED glass element to help reduce chromatic aberrations and fringing. Brightin Star is promising high edge-to-edge sharpness even wide open at f/1.8, along with smooth bokeh and minimal ghosting, especially important since f/1.8 is where a lens like this earns its keep over a kit zoom. Focus breathing is said to be minimal, which is good news for video shooters, and there's a de-clickable aperture ring on the E-mount version to allow smooth exposure transitions while filming.

Interestingly, Nikon Z shooters miss out on that ring entirely, due to how Nikon handles third-party stepless aperture controls, so the Z version has electronic aperture only. Both versions accept 62mm filters and weigh just under 430g. Build-wise, the lens is weather-sealed and includes a USB-C port for firmware updates, although the updater app is Windows-only. Pricing for the lens sits at $250.

You can see full details and sample shots on Brightin Star’s website here