In a market increasingly dominated by autofocus glass, there's a special kind of magic in a simple, well-built manual lens that does one job exceptionally well. The new AstrHori MF 9mm F2.8 is precisely that—a dedicated ultra-wide-angle prime for APS-C mirrorless systems that promises dramatic perspectives without draining your wallet.
Key Features at a Glance
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Super-Wide APS-C Format: Provides a 13.5mm full-frame equivalent focal length, perfect for landscapes, architecture, and astrophotography.
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Fast f/2.8 Aperture: Allows for solid low-light performance and creative control over depth of field.
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Advanced Optical Design: Features one Aspherical (ASP) element and two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) elements to combat distortion and chromatic aberration.
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Broad Compatibility: Available for Sony E-Mount, Fujifilm X-Mount, Canon EOS-R Mount, Micro Four Thirds, and Nikon Z-Mount.
Price
Regular price: 169 USD
Early bird price: 149 USD, early bird price ends: December 1st, 2025.
Designed for the Creative Purist
This is a fully manual lens. There are no electronic contacts, meaning you'll be setting both the focus and the aperture (f/2.8 to f/16) manually via the physical rings on the lens barrel. For some, this is a drawback; for others, it's the main appeal.
The all-metal construction gives the lens a satisfying, dense feel in the hand. The focus ring is smooth, making precise pulling for video a pleasure. The inclusion of a depth-of-field scale is a welcome, classic touch that street and landscape shooters will appreciate.
The Optical Promise: Taming the Ultra-Wide
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The 13.5mm Equivalent View: This is an incredibly wide perspective. It allows you to capture vast landscapes, fit entire buildings into a tight frame, or create intense, leading-line compositions that draw the viewer right into the scene.
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Aspherical & ED Elements: The inclusion of one ASP and two ED elements is the core of this lens's value proposition. The ASP element is crucial for controlling distortion—preventing those unnaturally bulging straight lines at the edges of the frame. The two ED elements are there to minimize color fringing (chromatic aberration), a common issue in high-contrast areas with fast, wide glass.
Who Is This Lens For?
The AstrHori 9mm F2.8 isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It's a specialized tool for specific creators:
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The Budget-Conscious Adventurer: If you're a landscape or astro shooter on a budget, this lens gives you a wide aperture and a super-wide field of view for a fraction of the cost of first-party options.
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The Creative Hobbyist: If you want to slow down and connect with the process of photography, a manual lens like this is a fantastic teacher. It forces you to think about composition, focus, and light in a more intentional way.
If you're an APS-C shooter looking to dive into the world of ultra-wide-angle photography without a significant financial plunge, the AstrHori 9mm F2.8 is an easy lens to recommend. It proves that compelling, character-rich optics don't always need a premium price tag.
