Here you can see the two 25mm versions and also the 22mm: !!12485027.jpg It’s not clear the reason of a newer version. Only this last 2016 version looks identical to the 25mm from 7Artisans. The 25mm has two versions, the original from 2015 and a newer from 2016. I went to the chinese site of Zonlai and the translation of the company history ( ) says something different than 7Artisans’s ( ). In the mean time I have been making some further research about Zonlai and maybe is not really related to 7Artisans. The Zonlai lens will take a couple of weeks to arrive here, lets hope will be fine. I heard about cases when front glass element was not completely secured on factory and buyer just did it to fix the problem. Also the shipment itself may affect the lens.

However often it can be limited “sampling testing” where 5of100 lens are checked. I personally think that “QC” or “Tested” marks are not just nice to have letters in package, probaly lens are really tested on factory. There is a big chance that your sample will be ok. I’m just reusing their technique when checking my lens samples.

It’s easy to check using the Siemens Star chart like it’s described in Lensrentals articles (e.g. I was considering trying 7artisans 25mm F1.8, but recently received 7artisans FIshEye and still playing with it : ) I think you are right, that review lens sample may have decentered glass. It makes sense, and now looks to me like Samyang/Rokinon/Bower Korean brands that are producing same lens. Thanks for sharing interesting details on the company, I didn’t know about that brands connection.

Zeiss siemens star chart pdf