With so many photographers in the world it is not uncommon for one to want to make a difference with others. The choice of lenses, like this Anthy 35 by Yasuhara, can be a very important question in terms of the style of photography that we achieve. This is not a very expensive lens. It is not a very spectacular lens: it is a lens with personality and that has an undeniable charm when it comes to working.
In the photographs that I have uploaded there are two categories, so to speak: those that have not been processed except with the watermark and others, in which there is only my signature and if they have had editing in aspects such as contrast, clarity, etc.
In this review of the Anthy 35 produced by Yasuhara Co., Ltd I will talk a bit about the technical aspects, I will show some photos taken with it and I will comment, above all, my personal impression, because the data, important as it is, does not tell the story, it does not describe the feeling. I’ve been using Canon’s RF mount version (of course it’s a full frame lens), but the versions for other mounts are pretty much identical as far as I know.
I was taking some photos with Laura Carreras ( @lady_pequis ) and other pics around the city, especially testing the lens in low light conditions.
Technical details
First of all: the aperture of this lens is 1.8. So we could say that it competes with Canon’s RF 35 1.8, with the difference that Canon’s is autofocus. It’s a great lens, much more expensive, but it doesn’t have the retro point of being forced to work manually all the time. I, who started taking photos with a Mamiya SLR many years ago, I love the fact that I have the ring with the opening in my hand. It is comfortable and practical (some new autofocus lenses are incorporating the ring again, as in the case of Fuji) and it is just as fast to work. However, it is not a choice: the camera has to be operated in manual mode or aperture priority, because it has no way of controlling the diaphragm as it does not have a built-in motor.
More stuff: minimum focus at 29cm, 408g weight, a lens with a 7-group nine-element design and a built-in lens hood.
Although the lens is generally superb, here comes the part I like least about this lens: it will never transmit aperture information to the camera. In the EXIF data there will never be anything about which aperture we have used and not even the model or brand of the lens used.
Actually, it is easy for later models to incorporate a chip in which the information is transmitted to the camera, but for now, it is not.
Anthy 35: Exclusivity
One of the interesting things about this lens is actually its exclusivity. Without being an expensive piece at all, it has a very limited production and distribution (my copy is 444), so we will be able to boast of an interesting lens that almost no one has. This contributes a lot to our valuing the particularities it has as positive. For example, it is a lens that, at its maximum aperture, vignettes a lot: the corners are darker. But if we want to correct that aspect, both for video and for photography it is extremely simple. And it is also true that after 2.8, the problem ceases to exist. The deformation issue, however, is almost non-existent, much like 35 others you may have had on hand.
We have already talked about the aperture ring, but we have not said anything about the very solid metal construction, which transmits reliability, or the practical sunshade that it includes to reduce some flares in case we do not want them. But actually, we do. Each of the flares and details that this lens offers are what gives personality to a lens that is obviously not made for everyone. It is a lens for photographers who want to enjoy the manual experience, so many times when you have the lens in your hand you will look for those flares. If JJ Abrams does (damn his Star Wars movies be three times), so do you.
More details about the Anthy 35
Regarding the tone, I would say that it has a small tendency towards warm tones, but just as we were talking about the vignetting issue, if we need to correct that aspect, or the camera or Lightroom, to name a couple of possibilities, it can help us.
A 35 1.8 allows photos such as Laura’s portrait drawing. ISO 6400 in a full frame like the R6, which has a stabilizer, and 1/30 speed, and you can take night photography without any additional light and with reasonable noise.
This Anthy 35 is a lens with sufficient definition, a nice bokeh and a correct general performance. But, I insist, the aspect of exclusivity and own personality are enough to arouse the interest of photographers with a personal perception of photography. Here we see a photo in its conventional version and then cutting out the detail a bit. Here we are using the maximum aperture and there is a good definition. It improves, of course, especially in the corners, when we are closing the diaphragm.
As usually buying this lens can be less simple than others, it is best to request it, for example, at https://yasuharausa.com/ , which is how I got it.
There are more reviews of manual lenses on my Spanish website. I am Sergi Albir, I am a professional photographer in Spain. My Instagram, in case you want to gossip, is @Archerphoto . Mainly in Valencia, but I also go to other places. If you have a problem and you find me, maybe you can hire me . Ok, yes, this is what they said in the intro of Team A, but hey, for Whatsapp, Signal and Telegram, the +34 644459753 works and if not, email to sergi@archerphoto.eu .