{"id":69064,"date":"2025-03-26T08:19:20","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T07:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=69064"},"modified":"2025-03-26T13:37:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T12:37:15","slug":"review-artralab-nonikkor-mc-11mm-f-1-8-aps-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-artralab-nonikkor-mc-11mm-f-1-8-aps-c\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 (APS-C)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Artralab<\/h2>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 for APS-C cameras is an ultra-wide-angle lens with an impressive f\/1.8 maximum aperture, designed by Artra Lab. It\u2019s a modern vintage lens\u2014if that makes sense. In both appearance and name, it\u2019s clearly a remake of classic Ai and Ai-S Nikkor lenses from the late ’70s and early ’80s. It has a desirable aesthetic for nostalgic photographers and those who appreciate manual operation, especially fans of classic Nikon glass\u2014whether or not they currently use a Nikon camera. Let\u2019s take a look at how it performs!<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 22 Mpx Nikon Zfc<\/a>.
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | 11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | f8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n11mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n97\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/1.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n0.18 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n62mm?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nNikon Z, Fuji X, Sony E<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n350 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n66 x 55.5 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n13 \/ 9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Lens construction | Artralab Nonikkor 11mm f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 on a Nikon Zfc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Buy new:<\/strong><\/p>\n

B&H<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$350\u00a0 \u00a0(Affiliate links)
\nArtralab<\/a> $290\u00a0 (Not an affiliate link)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

Artralab kindly provided this lens for test and review purposes, although as usual, this is a completely independent review.<\/p>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Artralab Nonikkor 11mm f\/1.8 is a fully manual lens with no electronic contacts, meaning no autofocus, no aperture control from the camera, and no EXIF data transmission. The lens features an all-metal construction, with an aluminium alloy body and a brass lens mount.<\/p>\n

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Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The focus ring is nicely damped and turns smoothly over 130\u00b0. The distance markings, in meters and feet, are engraved and filled with paint. Next is a colour-coded depth of field scale, along with an infrared focus mark on the barrel. The aperture ring has full-stop clicks, with engraved aperture values filled with paint. Unlike most Chinese manual focus lenses, the aperture values on the ring are evenly spaced, similar to classic Nikon lenses.<\/p>\n

However, there is a major difference between this lens and classic Ai lenses: there is no f\/5.6 marking, and it\u2019s not a mistake. Even more peculiar, my tests showed that moving from one aperture click to the next does not always result in a precise doubling or halving of the light passing through the aperture.<\/p>\n

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Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From f\/1.8 to f\/2.8, the light decreases by 1\/3 EV; from f\/2.8 to f\/4, by another 1\/3 EV. Then, from f\/4 to f\/8 (only one click stop for two f-stops), the light decreases by another 2\/3 EV, from f\/8 to f\/11 by 1 EV, from f\/11 to f\/16 by 1.3 EV, and finally from f\/16 to f\/22 by 2.3 EV.<\/p>\n

This indicates that while the aperture stops are marked and clicked equidistantly, the actual light transmission changes irregularly.<\/p>\n

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Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | Front & rear caps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lens features a minimal, fixed petal-shaped hood and a bulbous front element, which prevents filters from being mounted directly. However, the metal front cap, attached by friction, can be converted into a filter adapter.<\/p>\n

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Artralab Nonikkor-MC 11mm f\/1.8 | Front cap as filter adapter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Optical Features<\/span><\/h2>\n
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MTF curves | Artralab Nonikkor 11mm f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sharpness (Infinity)<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the infinity sharpness test, we look at three areas of the image, centre, mid-frame, and corner, see highlighted areas in the image below!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Infinily Sharpness Points of Inspection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sharpness infinity | Artralab Nonikkor 11mm f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Centre sharpness is good wide open at f\/1.8, improving gradually when stopped down. It becomes very good at f\/4 and excellent at f\/11. Diffraction reduces sharpness at f\/16, and by f\/22, it drops significantly.<\/p>\n

Midframe sharpness is mediocre at wider apertures, only reaching a good level by f\/11. It improves further at f\/16 but deteriorates at f\/22 due to diffraction<\/p>\n

Corner sharpness is weak but improves to a usable level when stopped down, though it never becomes truly good.<\/p>\n

Sharpness (Portrait)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s look at the points of interest for portraits at the portrait distance: the very centre, the centre\u2019s inner periphery\u00a0 (1\/3 rule intersection), and the centre\u2019s outer periphery (1\/4th intersection).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Portrait Sharpness Points of Interest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n