Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II: Full-frame lens

I've been wanting to try a 35/1.4 lens for a long time, specifically on a full frame sensor. So I found an option that cost me $135. Yes, it is for full frame.

This lens is only available for mirrorless: for Leica L, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony FE mounts. I have the Sony FE version.

This lens model is often known as the Pergear 35/1.4 (see Pergear 35mm F1.4 and Review: Pergear 35mm 1.4 - The cheapest 35mm fullframe lens), but in my case it's the Cheecar FF 35mm F1.4 II (CL-Mil3514N):

Funny thing is that the early copies had a typo: MUTI instead of MULTI. On this one, the typo is gone.

There was also a first version of this lens (with a slightly different body), often known as the Andoer 35/1.4.

My lens is the second version. I actually ordered the silver one, but the black one arrived. I didn't return it to the seller and kept it.

The aperture has 10 blades:

The aperture ring with clicks: f/1.4 - f/1.7? (unmarked) - f/2? (unmarked) - f/2.4? (unmarked) - f/2.8 - f/3.2? (unmarked) - f3.5? (unmarked) - f/4 - f/5.6 - f/8 - f/16. Again, there is no f/11 (it happens on Chinese lenses).

At first glance, the aperture markings don't look quite accurate (taking the fully open aperture as f/1.4).  I haven't checked the actuality of f/1.4, but it looks faster than f/1.8-f/2.

The filter thread is 43mm, it is small.

Unfortunately, as is often the case with Chinese lenses, the hard stop of the focusing ring has a focus beyond infinity. The scale is also beyond infinity.

The minimum focusing distance is about 0.30m.

The lens has 7 elements in 5 groups. It probably looks something like this:

(this is the design of another 35/1.4 lens)

The lens is quite small, especially for f/1.4. Compared to the Samyang AF 35/2.8 FE:

The lens body is slippery, so not enough grip makes it difficult to mount and remove the lens from the camera.

The lens is interesting, but of course it has optical flaws.

See also related notes:

• My AF lenses for Sony FE (2024-10) (2024-10-07)
• Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II: Samples [2] - FF - f/1.4 (2024-08-18)
• RockStar/AstrHori 35/1.8 (Sony FE/E): Full-frame lens (2024-03-06)
• Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II: Samples [1] - FF (2024-02-19)
• Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II: My experience [3/3] (2023-10-29)
• Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II: My experience [2/3] (2023-10-27)
• Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II: My experience [1/3] (2023-10-25)

Image albums:

• Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II