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Brightin Star AF 12mm f/2.8
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Brightin Star · Nikon Z mount · Full Frame

Brightin Star AF 12mm f/2.8

From $659 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandBrightin Star
Announcement dateMay 2026
Released2026
Production started2026
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Fast STM autofocus with smooth, quiet operation in milliseconds
+Exceptional 122.5° ultra-wide field of view with minimal distortion for a 12mm prime
+Bright f/2.8 aperture ideal for low-light and astrophotography
+Sophisticated 15-element optical design effectively controls flare, ghosting, and chromatic aberration
+Compact and lightweight at 499g with professional control features
+Significantly undercuts competitor pricing at $659.99
Worth Knowing
−Heavy vignetting requiring significant post-correction (approximately +74 adjustment)
−Corner sharpness drops noticeably from the center and midframe performance
−Bulbous front element prevents front filter use; rear filter slot required
−Third-party lens without native Sony electronic distortion corrections

General

Brand
Brightin Star
Announcement date
ⓘ
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
May 2026
Released
ⓘ
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2026
Production started
2026
Production status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Brightin Star AF 12mm f/2.8 is an ultra-wide-angle lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, offering a combination of an expansive field of view, autofocus performance, and a distortion-controlled optical design. It features a next-gen STM motor that delivers fast, precise, near-silent autofocus, aspherical elements that ensure accurate geometry and edge-to-edge sharpness, intuitive controls with AF/MF switch and customizable FN button, and durable construction with an integrated petal hood and rear sealing for dust and moisture resistance. Both the autofocus and optical performances are solid, with an initial launch price of $609.99 USD, undercutting the Laowa AF 12mm F2.8 by about $90.

Optics

Focal length
12mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Min aperture
f/22
Field of view
122.5°
Optical construction
15 elements in 11 groups
Aspheric elements
2 aspherical
Ed elements
2 ED (low-dispersion)
Hr elements
2 HR (high-refractive index)
Coating
IMC (OPTORUN planetary coating)
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
7020

Autofocus

Type
STM stepper motor
Speed
milliseconds
Min focus distance
0.24m
Focus tracking
smooth and quiet

Build

Lens hood
integrated petal-shaped hood
Weather sealing
ⓘ
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
rear sealing for dust/moisture resistance
Controls
AF/MF switch, customizable FN button, aperture ring

Physical

Lens length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
96.6 mm
Lens diameter
ⓘ
Width of the lens at its widest point
70 mm
Lens weight
499 g
Lens mount
ⓘ
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Nikon Z
Maximum format
ⓘ
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Full Frame