AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 Fisheye

The AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 Fisheye is a manual-focus fisheye lens for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. AstrHori offers it for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon RF and Micro Four Thirds. With a 192 degree angle of view it produces the strongly curved, spherical look typical of fisheyes, which the manufacturer markets for architecture, landscapes, night skies, portraits with exaggerated perspective and drone use.

Optical design

The lens has six elements in five groups. The nine-blade aperture runs from f/2 to f/22. The angle of view is 192 degrees, and the minimum focusing distance is 0.2 m. AstrHori describes the combination of close focus and the bulging front element as a way to place subjects near the lens against a distorted background. The front element is domed, and the lens does not support filters.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual through a focus ring with a distance scale, and a depth-of-field indicator on the barrel helps with zone focusing. The aperture is set with an aperture ring. There is no autofocus and no stabilizer. With such a wide view, large depth of field at small apertures makes zone focusing a common way of working.

Build and size

The lens has a solid metal body. In its Sony E version it measures 64 mm in diameter and 52 mm in length and weighs about 268 g. A lens cap is included.

Where it fits

Other fisheyes for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds in this database include the TTArtisan 7.5mm f/2 Fisheye for several of the same mounts, the 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 Fisheye, and the Samyang / Rokinon 8mm F2.8 UMC Fisheye II for Sony E and Fujifilm X. The AstrHori 9mm f/2.8 is a rectilinear ultra-wide from the same maker.

Pros and cons

Pros

• 192 degree angle of view with f/2 maximum aperture
• Close focusing at 0.2 m
• Metal body of about 268 g (Sony E)
• Aperture ring and depth-of-field indicator

Cons

• No filter support
• Manual focus and manual aperture only
• Heavy distortion by design, so not suited to straight-line work

Verdict

The AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 Fisheye is a bright, close-focusing fisheye for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds systems. It suits creative, ultra-wide and astro shooting, while straight architectural lines are not its job.