AstrHori Mirrorless Lenses 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye 12mm
The 185-degree diagonal field of view and bright f/2.8 aperture make this full-frame fisheye a specialized tool for expansive, low-light scenes. Its all-metal construction and weather sealing provide a durable, premium feel at a budget-friendly price point, while the manual focus design offers precise control. This lens is best for astrophotographers and experimental shooters who prioritize a dramatic, distorted perspective over conventional sharpness and travel convenience.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The AstrHori 12mm f/2.8 is a one-trick pony that does its trick very well: delivering an extreme 185-degree fisheye view for under $350. Its sharpness up close and bright aperture are the highlights, but you'll have to live with full manual control and mediocre bokeh. It's a fun, creative tool, not a daily driver.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That 185-degree view creates a truly unique, exaggerated perspective. 84th
- The f/2.8 aperture is a genuine help for low-light and astro work.
- All-metal build feels solid and the waterproof coating adds peace of mind.
- Close 7.9-inch minimum focus distance lets you get creative with tiny subjects.
Cons
- Manual focus only, and the AF score is a dismal 13th percentile.
- Bokeh quality is poor thanks to a basic 5-blade diaphragm.
- It's a heavy chunk of glass at 757g with no image stabilization.
- Build quality and social proof scores are low, and some users report loose elements.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 3 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Sharpness is a standout for a lens this wide, landing in the top 83rd percentile for macro-style close-up detail, which is impressive when you can focus just 7.9 inches away. The f/2.8 aperture is a real asset for astrophotography, letting in enough light to keep your ISO down. But that's where the good news mostly ends. The bokeh is rough, sitting near the bottom of the barrel, and the five-blade aperture doesn't do it any favors. You're also stuck with manual focus only, and there's no stabilization, so you'll need a steady hand or a tripod for sharp shots.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Fisheye |
| Focal Length Min | 12 |
| Focal Length Max | 12 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 8 |
| Coating | Waterproof multilayer coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 5 |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.7 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 200 |
vs Competition
This lens doesn't really compete with standard zooms like the Sigma 18-50mm or Tamron 17-70mm. Those are versatile workhorses. The AstrHori is a specialty prime. Stack it against something like a Samyang 12mm f/2.8 fisheye, and you're in a similar ballpark of all-manual, wide-aperture fun. The AstrHori's build feels a bit more tank-like, but the Samyang might have a slight edge in optical consistency. You're not cross-shopping this with a Nikon Z 24-200mm. You buy this because you specifically want the most distorted view possible without breaking the bank.
| Spec | AstrHori Mirrorless Lenses 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye 12mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 12mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 24-200mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 757 | 590 | 290 | 306 | 570 | 326 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | stepping motor | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | fisheye | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AstrHori Mirrorless Lenses 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye 12mm | 13.3 | 8.8 | 25.9 | 83.7 | 57.1 | 40.6 | 33.6 | 24.5 | 36.8 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98 | 78.2 | 65.1 | 85.8 | 96.7 | 66.3 | 97.7 | 55 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.9 | 82.1 | 86.1 | 91.7 | 82.2 | 84.2 | 78.6 | 89.6 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 82.1 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 84.2 | 80.6 | 85.1 | 96.9 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Compare | 86.9 | 64.8 | 66.6 | 38.8 | 92.8 | 66.3 | 96.6 | 89.6 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.7 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.6 | 95.8 | 89.6 | 82.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
For a price hovering around $300, you're getting a very specific tool that does one thing really well: extreme fisheye distortion on a full-frame body. It's not a general-purpose lens, and it's not trying to be. If you need this exact look, the value is solid compared to pricier first-party options. Just know you're trading autofocus, stabilization, and refined optics for that affordable price tag.
Amazon.ca 1 offer From CA$349
B&H Photo 1 offer From CA$353
Price History
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Overview
The AstrHori 12mm f/2.8 is a full-frame fisheye that's all about that wild, 185-degree perspective. It's a fully manual lens with a solid metal build and a bright aperture, built for photographers who want to get weird with their compositions. Think starry skies, cramped interiors, or just making your skateboarding buddy look like they're riding a tiny planet.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens have autofocus?
No, it's a fully manual focus lens. You'll need to rely on focus peaking or magnification in your camera to nail sharp shots.
Q: Is this lens good for astrophotography?
Yes, the bright f/2.8 aperture and 185-degree field of view make it a strong budget option for capturing the Milky Way, though you'll want a sturdy tripod since there's no stabilization.
Q: Will this work on my crop-sensor camera?
It's designed for full-frame coverage, so it will work on an APS-C body, but the field of view will be cropped and you'll lose some of that extreme fisheye effect.
Who Should Skip This
If you need a versatile walk-around lens or anything with autofocus, look elsewhere. This is a terrible choice for video work, and if smooth bokeh is important to you, the 5-blade aperture will just frustrate you.
Verdict
This is a niche lens for niche people, and that's totally fine. If you're an astrophotographer on a budget or a creative shooter who loves the fisheye look and doesn't mind manual focus, you'll have a blast. It's not for pixel-peepers or anyone who needs clinical sharpness across the frame. The loose front element reported by one buyer is a bit concerning, so give yours a good check when it arrives.
