I have been increasingly impressed by how solid many budget lenses are starting to feel, with several delivering features and build quality that far exceed what their price suggests. That has never been more true than with the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95, a lens we previously covered in our Best Budget Lenses article and one I still reach for almost daily.
At first glance, this small 35mm lens sounds like it might be a gimmick. An APS-C 35mm lens with a massive f/0.95 aperture, sold at a price that barely rivals a mid-range prime, raises expectations in the wrong way. In practice, however, it behaves like a proper photographic tool rather than a novelty and is capable of delivering striking results.
Brightin Star, a Chinese brand that has been quietly building manual lenses for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds systems, markets this as a Night God Portrait Star lens. That description feels surprisingly accurate. It is a fully manual 35mm f/0.95 lens available for Fujifilm X, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF and M mounts, as well as Micro Four Thirds. We reviewed the Sony E-mount version. The optical design features 11 elements in eight groups, including two low-dispersion elements to help control chromatic aberration. Despite its fast aperture, the lens remains relatively compact at about 62 millimetres long and weighs roughly 370 grams. It features a metal barrel and a 52 mm filter thread.
What stands out even more after unboxing the lens is its build quality. The all-metal construction feels solid, with a smooth manual focus ring and a click-stop aperture ring that runs from f/0.95 to f/16. Aperture adjustments are available in half-stop increments up to f/4, before jumping to f/8 and f/16. There is no autofocus, no electronic communication with the camera and no lens hood included in the box. As a result, it is clearly aimed at photographers who are comfortable working fully manually and enabling “shoot without lens” settings. In return, it is capable of producing some genuinely striking images across a wide range of shooting scenarios.
On the Sony ZV-E10 we tested it with, the 35mm f/0.95 feels well-balanced and solid, avoiding the cheap or plasticky feel often associated with budget lenses. It gives the camera a more substantial overall feel. The focus throw is relatively long, providing enough travel to achieve precise focus, and the aperture ring offers a satisfying, accurate click that makes setting exposure easy without taking your eye off the shot.
The minimum focus distance is about 37 centimetres, which works well for portraits and general close-ups, though it is not class-leading. You may run into some limitations when trying to get very close for tech photography, although I was still able to capture striking images depending on the situation.
While it performs well in low-light situations, the lens is better suited to still photography than video due to its fully manual operation and stepped aperture ring. That is a limitation worth noting, but for shooters who regularly switch between stills and video, it remains a compelling option when image quality matters most. The smooth bokeh and extremely shallow depth of field at f/0.95 make it a natural choice for portraits, low-light street photography, tech shots and any situation where you want the subject to stand out against a soft, blurred background.
What surprised me most is how sharp this compact lens remains even at f/0.95, outperforming many other budget f/0.95 primes that tend to look soft when used wide open. Stopping down to f/2 or f/2.8 brings a noticeable improvement, and by f/4 the image is sharp across most of the frame. The bokeh is smooth and creamy, with a pleasing falloff that keeps backgrounds soft without becoming distracting or overly busy, an issue I have encountered with some budget lenses.
There are the usual compromises that come with a fast, budget manual lens. Vignetting and some barrel distortion are noticeable at f/0.95, although both are easy to correct in software. Chromatic aberration is visible in high-contrast scenes when used wide open, particularly purple fringing, but it largely disappears by f/4. Flare and ghosting can be pronounced when shooting into bright light sources, so it is best to keep the sun or streetlights just outside the frame.
The Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 makes the most sense for photographers looking for a fast, characterful prime without spending hundreds of dollars, and in that role it delivers. It is a strong option for Fujifilm and Sony APS-C shooters who want a 35mm lens capable of handling dim bars, night streets and indoor portraits with minimal noise. It can also appeal to filmmakers and content creators seeking shallow depth of field and a cinematic look on a tight budget. However, its fully manual operation makes it less suitable for situations that require frequent or fast focus adjustments, and there is a reason it has become my go-to lens for when I am taking stills.
- F0.95 Super-Large Aperture: With F0.95 super-large aperture, it easily realizes the stunning shallow depth of field effect and highlights the subject even in complex environments.
- Graded Aperture: High-end lens configuration, adjustable aperture allows you to accurately control the exposure and bokeh, to enhance your photographic experience.
