Summary
- 7Artisans has released new firmware for eight autofocus lenses in X and L-Mount versions.
- The APS-C AF 25mm, 35mm and 50mm F1.8 X lenses receive optimized autofocus drive control and improved AF stability.
- The L-Mount 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm F1.8 lenses gain new focus-ring functions and compatibility improvements.
- Some of the new L-Mount functions require support from compatible camera-body firmware.
7Artisans has released new firmware for eight of its autofocus lenses in Fujifilm X and L-Mount versions, focusing on AF stability and new focus-ring control capabilities.
The August 15, 2026 update covers the APS-C AF 25mm F1.8 X, AF 35mm F1.8 X and AF 50mm F1.8 X, as well as the full-frame L-Mount AF 24mm F1.8, AF 35mm F1.8, AF 50mm F1.8, AF 85mm F1.8 and AF 135mm F1.8. Firmware versions differ by model, but the changes essentially fall into two groups: autofocus improvements for X-Mount and new handling functions alongside compatibility improvements for L-Mount.
The update has more practical significance than a routine corrective release, particularly for the L-Mount lenses, because 7Artisans is adding capabilities that affect how the focus ring can be used. On the X-Mount models, the company is instead concentrating on optimizing the autofocus drive and making its operation more stable.
Which firmware version does each lens receive?
On Fujifilm X-Mount, the 7Artisans AF 25mm F1.8 X moves to version V1.10, the AF 35mm F1.8 X to V1.06 and the AF 50mm F1.8 X to V1.04.
On L-Mount, the AF 24mm F1.8, AF 35mm F1.8, AF 50mm F1.8 and AF 85mm F1.8 all move to version V1.30. The AF 135mm F1.8 L receives the separate V1.31 release.
The announcement specifically concerns these X and L-Mount versions and does not mention equivalent new firmware for other mounts of the same lenses.
X-Mount: 7Artisans works on AF stability
For the three APS-C lenses, 7Artisans says it has optimized autofocus drive control and improved autofocus stability.
The wording is fairly clear about the objective but not about the scale of the change. The company provides no measurements, does not identify specific AF modes and does not claim an increase in absolute focusing speed or subject-tracking performance. The update should therefore primarily be regarded as an improvement to the consistency and control of the existing AF system rather than the introduction of a new focusing system.
The AF 25mm, 35mm and 50mm F1.8 belong to the company’s Lite APS-C series. 7Artisans itself positions the range as a lightweight option for everyday photography, street, travel and portraits, with each lens weighing around 180 grams.
L-Mount: the focus ring gains more functionality
The changes for the full-frame L-Mount lenses are more extensive. Version V1.30 for the 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm F1.8 lenses and V1.31 for the 135mm F1.8 add support for focus-ring control during AF operation.
The firmware also adds the ability to customize the focus-ring rotation direction. It is a small but practical ergonomic change for photographers and creators who use different bodies or lenses and want a consistent direction of operation.
The third part of the update improves system compatibility and operational stability. 7Artisans notes that some of the new capabilities require support from compatible camera-body firmware. This means it should not be assumed that every function will behave identically on every L-Mount camera.
Why hybrid creators may care
The ability to interact with the focus ring while the system is operating in AF is particularly relevant to hybrid photo and video workflows. The announcement, however, does not specify exactly how the function is implemented on each camera body, so there is no basis for assuming completely identical behavior across the entire L-Mount ecosystem.
Likewise, selectable focus-ring rotation direction may sound minor, but it can reduce the need to retrain muscle memory when a creator switches between different systems or regularly uses the focus ring for video work.
The AF 135mm F1.8 is a good example of a lens where handling matters: 7Artisans equips it with STM autofocus, two function buttons and a multi-function ring, while the lens itself is a full-frame design from the MAX series.
The timing of the updates is notable
The updates arrive relatively soon after 7Artisans expanded its autofocus lineup. PTTL covered the Lite 25mm, 35mm and 50mm F1.8 APS-C trio in January 2026, when each lens carried a launch price of $125.
Likewise, the AF Max 135mm F1.8 became available for L-Mount in July 2026 at $689. That model includes a USB-C port for firmware updates, together with an AF/MF switch, function buttons and a multi-function ring.
The fact that a firmware release follows relatively soon after these products reached the market shows that 7Artisans continues to work on lens-to-camera communication rather than treating the initial hardware release as the end of development.
Where the firmware is available
7Artisans maintains a dedicated Firmware Upgrade section within its official Service & Support area, with separate categories for full-frame and APS-C autofocus lenses and downloadable files organized by model and mount. The official support pages already include the Lite AF 25mm, 35mm and 50mm F1.8 families as well as firmware files for the company’s full-frame autofocus lenses.
The new announcement does not involve new hardware or a pricing change. It is strictly a firmware update for lenses that are already available.
What we think
For the X-Mount lenses, this is mainly a useful maintenance update, as 7Artisans is not promising new features but is instead targeting autofocus consistency. On L-Mount, however, the changes are more substantial because they also affect lens ergonomics, especially through the focus ring.
It is positive to see the company continuing to develop relatively new products after launch. How noticeable the AF improvements will be in real-world use, and exactly how the new focus-ring options behave on different L-Mount cameras, will depend on the particular combination of lens, camera and firmware.
Frequently asked questions
Which 7Artisans lenses receive the new firmware?
On X-Mount, the AF 25mm F1.8, AF 35mm F1.8 and AF 50mm F1.8 are being updated. On L-Mount, the AF 24mm F1.8, AF 35mm F1.8, AF 50mm F1.8, AF 85mm F1.8 and AF 135mm F1.8 receive new firmware.
What changes on the Fujifilm X lenses?
7Artisans says it has optimized autofocus drive control and improved autofocus stability.
What does the firmware add to the L-Mount lenses?
It adds support for focus-ring control during AF operation, customizable focus-ring rotation direction, and improvements to system compatibility and operational stability.
Is compatible camera firmware also required?
7Artisans says that some of the new functions on the L-Mount lenses require support from compatible camera-body firmware. This does not mean every change depends on a camera update, but certain features may not be available with every body and firmware combination.
