Modern Lenses

I dream about cameras, but I photograph with lenses. Lenses are the cornerstone of photography. A photographer can take a great photograph with an average camera, but its pretty difficult to take a great photograph without a high quality lens, unless blur and distortion is part of the effect you’re after.

I’ve been an observer of the photography industry for over 40 years. When first got into photography, German manufacturers like Zeiss and Leitz were on top, Japanese names like Nikon, Canon were a close second, and Japanese lens makers like Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina were affordable third-party options. Today, however, we are benefiting from the growth of the Chinese optical industry. On average, they aren’t matching the OEM manufacturers yet, but they are getting closer all the time. This being said, there are a growing number of individual lenses from emerging manufacturers that produce image quality that is indistinguishable from the OEMs.

Manufacturers like Samyang, TTArtisans, and Laowa offer lines of unique lenses that offer an interesting value proposition. They offer unique focal lengths, generally faster f-stops, and a growing proportion of lenses that rival the OEMs. The best part is that their lenses cost a fraction of equivalent OEM lenses. One has to pay clost attention to the reviews, but these manufacturers are worth consideration.

Lens Manufacturers

  • 7Artisans

    7Artisans is a Chinese optics company that started production in 2016. Inspired by their love of historic Leica optics, the seven partners continue to grow their company in the spirit of fine craftsmanship.

  • Astrhori

    AstrHori was founded in 2018 and is located in Shenzhen, China. In addition to photography lenses, they build optical equipment for the medical, optoelectronic, and manufacturing industries. Drawing from a storong science and technology base in their region, their focus is on design and innovation.

  • Laowa

    Chineses company Venus Optics, the makers of Laowa lenses, was founded in 2013. The company was founded by a group of camera enthusiasts with the goal of manufacturing premium lenses that are unique, practical, and affordable.

  • Meike

    Meike Digital Technology is a Hong Kong company that follows the motto “Realize your vision.” They are dedicated to producing top-tier products through rigorous quality control.

  • Samyang (Rokinon)

    Rokinon and Samyang are both brands of the Elite Brands Company, which has been in business since 1979. Their website identifies their focus as “uncompromising attention to quality, function, and design.” Samyang itself is a much older company. This Korean lens manufacturer was founded in 1972. Samyang exports to around 58 countries. Many photographers will remember Vivitar lenses, many of which were rebranded Samyang products.

  • Sigma

    Sigma is a Japanese optics company that was founded in 1960. Sigma has been known for its wide range of camera lenses designed to work with all the major camera brands. Sigma has produced its own cameras since 1976 and is currently part of the L-Mount Alliance. Their Art line of lenses debuted in 2012 and rivals or surpasses the quality of OEM manufacturers’ lenses.

  • Sirui

    Sirui is a Chinese manufacturer that was founded in 2001 and began producing tripods in 2006. They diversified into lens production in 2015 when they began producing anamorphic and cine lenses. They currently offer a wide range of photographic lenses while specializing in anamorphic and cine lenses.

  • Tamron

    Founded in 1950, Tamron is one of the oldest Japanese optics companies. They produce high quality lenses for the photographic, surveillance, and medical fields.

  • Tokina

    Tokina started producing projector lenses and doing sub-contract work for other lens manufacturers in 1950. After closing due to financial problems in the early 1950s, they reformed in 1959 and began manufacturing lenses under their own name in 1960. A Japanese company, Tokina currently offers a full line of lenses for major camera brands.

  • TTartisan

    TTArtisan is a Chinese company that specializes in mirrorless camera lenses. Established in 2019, they are a relatively new company but have already obtained 10 patents and offer their products in 30 countries.

  • Viltrox

    Founded in 2009, Chinese manufacturer Viltrox is committed to providing high-quality optics for the global market. They offer a variety of photographic and cine lenses.

  • Voigtlaender

    Voigtlaender is truly a pioneering optics company. Founded in Vienna, Austria in 1756, they manufactured precision navigation instruments and optics. Today they offer a variety of high-quality, manual focus lenses for a variety of camera brands.

  • Yongnuo

    Yonguno is a Chinese company that was founded in 2012. They began manufacturing flash triggers and flashes. They marketed their first lens in 2014 and have since developed a full line of lenses for most camera manufacturers.