AstrHori has launched AstrHori 6.5mm f/2, a fully manual lens built for APS-C mirrorless cameras. It’s wide, it’s round, and costs only $129. And it’s probably going to appeal to the part of your brain that thinks, “What if I made this photo just a little weirder?” I see it as a lens for punk and hardcore concerts in those tiny venues, but let’s see what you can get from it.
What Makes AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 Fisheye Special
At 6.5mm on APS-C, the AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 is the equivalent of around 10mm on full frame. But what really sets it apart is the 192-degree field of view. It actually captures more than what’s directly in front of you; it almost sees behind itself.
The projection is circular, meaning your final image will have a black border around a central, super-distorted circle of view. In other words, this lens doesn’t aim for subtlety.
But beneath the gimmick is a fairly solid little lens. The optical design includes six elements in five groups. There’s an extra-low dispersion element and a high refractive index. This means you’re still getting all the fun distortion that comes with a fisheye, but hopefully without the worst of the chromatic aberration and mushy corners.
Fully Manual, Fully Minimal
The AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 is a no-frills lens in every sense. No autofocus. No image stabilization. No electronic contacts. You do get a traditional aperture ring, along with a printed depth-of-field scale that’ll feel familiar if you’ve shot with classic glass.
It’s available in five mounts: Sony E, Fuji X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and Micro Four Thirds. No adapters needed, and the mount choice doesn’t affect the price—something that can’t be said for most third-party lenses.
Small Enough to Go Anywhere
The AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 lens is tiny. It’s just 64mm in diameter and 52mm long, and it weighs around 268g depending on the mount. That makes it easy to toss in your bag, or even your jacket pocket, and bring along just in case inspiration strikes.
With a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (about 7.9 inches), you can get right up close to your subject for that “face in a funhouse mirror” effect. Not something you’ll use every day, sure—but when you do need it, nothing else will quite do. Yup, definitely for punk concerts if you ask me. 🙂
So, Who’s This Lens for?
The AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 not going to replace your go-to 35mm or your workhorse zoom, and it’s not pretending to. But for experimental photography, creative video work, or just some good old-fashioned fisheye fun, it’s an easy yes. At such a low price, it’s almost a no-brainer if you’re even mildly curious.
AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 Fisheye Specs
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 6.5mm (35mm equivalent: 13mm) |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Lens format | APS-C |
| Mounts available | Sony E, Fuji X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Micro Four Thirds |
| Angle of view | 192° |
| Minimum focusing distance | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Optical construction | 6 elements in 5 groups |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Autofocus | No (manual focus only) |
| Filter thread | None |
| Dimensions (Ø x L) | 64mm x 52mm |
| Weight | Approx. 268g (9.5 oz) |
As mentioned, the AstrHori 6.5mm f2 fisheye retails at $129, which is decent for a fully manual lens. It won’t be for everyone, but for those who embrace the strange, the experimental, or the just-plain-fun side of photography—it might be a perfect match.