AstrHori 9mm F2.8 APS-C Ultra Wide Angle 9mm
The 9mm focal length with a 111.4° angle of view captures vast scenes, while the f/2.8 aperture aids low-light star photography and the 7-blade diaphragm creates 14-point starbursts. Its 200mm minimum focus distance enables creative close-up portraits, and the 306g retro body is easy to carry. Best for landscape and astrophotography enthusiasts using Canon RF APS-C cameras who value manual control and compact design.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A dirt-cheap, all-metal ultra-wide that makes Canon RF APS-C shooters smile. Manual focus only, but at 9mm you'll barely miss autofocus.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Bright f/2.8 aperture at a bargain price 85th
- All-metal build with engraved markings, feels premium 84th
- 14-spike starburst for night and landscape shots 82nd
- Tiny and light at 306g, easy to carry anywhere 80th
Cons
- Manual focus only, no AF at all
- No weather sealing
- Optical quality is just average
- Versatility score is weak, this is a one-trick lens
What owners think
The Word on the Street
The proof
Performance
The f/2.8 aperture sits in the 85th percentile for this category, which is genuinely impressive for a lens this cheap. Bokeh and macro scores are both in the low 80s percentile, surprising for an ultra-wide. The 200mm minimum focus distance lets you get close enough for some creative wide-angle portraits with real background separation. Optical quality lands at 61st percentile, solid but not spectacular. The 7-blade diaphragm creates a 14-spike starburst that's actually a selling point for night shooters. Manual focus is the trade-off, and the AF score of 15th percentile tells you everything: there is no autofocus, and for some people that's a dealbreaker.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 9 |
| Focal Length Max | 9 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.7 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 62 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 200 |
vs Competition
Against the Viltrox AF 25mm f1.7 Z, the AstrHori is wider and cheaper but gives up autofocus entirely. The Meike MIX Series 85mm F1.4 II is a portrait specialist with AF, so if you want bokeh and eye tracking, that's your pick. The Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is a zoom with stabilization and AF, way more versatile but slower and less dramatic at the wide end. For pure ultra-wide drama on a budget, the AstrHori wins. For everyday shooting, any of the others make more sense.
| Spec | AstrHori 9mm F2.8 APS-C Ultra Wide Angle 9mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Meike MIX Series 85mm F1.4 II | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 9mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 85mm | 17-28mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | false | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 306 | 590 | 290 | 914 | 450 | 326 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Hyper STM | Stepping Motor | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | prime | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AstrHori 9mm F2.8 APS-C Ultra Wide Angle 9mm | 14.5 | 83.5 | 73 | 82.1 | 60.6 | 85.4 | 33.5 | 47.4 | 80.1 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 80 | 63 | 84 | 96.5 | 68.3 | 97.9 | 53.4 | 80.1 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85 | 83.5 | 84.8 | 89.7 | 81.3 | 85.4 | 78.5 | 90.8 | 34.9 |
| Meike MIX Series 85mm F1.4 II Compare | 85 | 98.3 | 44 | 92.4 | 72.7 | 97.1 | 33.5 | 78.1 | 80.1 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 85 | 88.2 | 73.7 | 84 | 87.7 | 85.4 | 67.8 | 68.8 | 34.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 77.5 | 71 | 38.6 | 77.6 | 79.1 | 95.9 | 90.8 | 80.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At USD 149 to USD 169 across US listings, this lens is a steal for what it does. The CAD spread is CAD 199 to CAD 232, and if you're in Canada, the lower end of that range is the one to hunt for. For the price of a decent dinner, you get a solid metal ultra-wide prime that handles astro and architecture without breaking a sweat. It's not a do-everything lens, but it doesn't pretend to be.
Amazon 1 offer From ¥36,254
Price History
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Overview
The AstrHori 9mm F2.8 is a tiny, all-metal ultra-wide that punches way above its price tag for Canon RF APS-C shooters. The one thing to know: you get a 13.5mm full-frame equivalent field of view with a bright f/2.8 aperture for under $170, and it's actually fun to use. Manual focus only, but at 9mm you're not exactly chasing fast action.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens have autofocus?
No, it's manual focus only. At 9mm with a huge depth of field, you can zone focus and forget about it for most shots.
Q: Will this work on a full-frame Canon RF camera?
It's designed for APS-C sensors, so on a full-frame body you'll get heavy vignetting. Stick with APS-C bodies like the R7 or R10.
Q: Is this lens good for astrophotography?
Yes, the f/2.8 aperture and ultra-wide field of view make it a solid budget option for Milky Way shots. Just focus manually at infinity and you're set.
Who Should Skip This
If you need autofocus or a versatile everyday lens, this isn't it. Go grab the Viltrox AF 25mm f1.7 Z or a standard zoom instead. This is a specialty lens for people who know they want ultra-wide and are fine with manual focus.
Verdict
If you shoot Canon RF APS-C and want an ultra-wide prime for landscapes, astro, or creative close-ups without spending real money, buy the AstrHori 9mm F2.8. It's manual focus only, so know that going in. But the build quality, bright aperture, and unique starburst effect make it a genuinely fun lens that earns its spot in your bag.
