Sony Alpha Blog

AstrHori 6mm F2.8

Published by

Marc Alhadeff

on

Close-up image of a Sony A7R camera with an AstrHori 6mm F2.8 circular fisheye lens attached.

in Blue English / en noir en Français

Table of Contents / Table des matières hide
1 Presentation
1.1 Specifications
2 Optical performances / Performances optiques
2.1 Sharpness / Piqué
2.2 Vignetting / chromatic aberrations / flare / sunstars
2.2 Vignettage / aberrations chromatiques / flare / effet d’étoiles
2.3 Bokeh / Color Rendition – Bokeh / Rendu des Couleurs
3 Video
4 Comparison with other fisheye lenses / comparaisons avec d’autres optiques Fisheye
5 Samples of Photos / Exemples de Photos
6 Conclusion (English)
6 Conclusion (Français)
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All photos , taken with Sony A7RV and with minimal post processing are available in full size (61Mpix) in the following Flickr album :   AstrHori 6mm F2.8

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Toutes les photos de l’article, prises avec le Sony A7RV sont disponibles en pleine résolution (61Mpix) dans l’album flickr suivant : AstrHori 6mm F2.8

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1 Presentation

1.1 Specifications

  • Weight : 340g
  • Price : 299$
  • Length : 61mm
  • Diameter : 64mm
  • Angle of View : 220°
  • Filter : no filter possible
  • No lens hood
  • Aperture ring with clicks
  • 8 blades aperture
  • Minimal focusing distance : 8 cm

The AstrHori is a circular fisheye for full frame , it is the only one available for e mount. It has a 6mm focal length allowing to have an angle of view of 220° so literally looking behind the lens. If you hold your camera with the body grip you will see your fingers ! and your foot will almost always be in the frame unless you fully extend your arms !

The Aperture ring is with click , the focusing ring turns only by 10° between 30cm and infinity

The build quality is very good, the lens is small and compact

You can buy it here

Close-up view of the AstrHori 6mm F2.8 circular fisheye lens, showcasing its aperture settings and focusing distance markings.
Image of the AstrHori 6mm F2.8 circular fisheye lens, showcasing its labeled settings and sleek design.
A top-down view of the AstrHori 6mm F2.8 circular fisheye lens showing its rounded front element and focusing and aperture rings.
Photo of the AstrHori 6mm F2.8 circular fisheye lens showing its unique bulbous front element and aperture settings.

  • Poids : 340g
  • Prix : 299 $
  • Longueur : 61mm
  • Diamètre : 64mm
  • Angle de champ : 220°
  • Bague d’ouverture avec clics
  • Filtre : pas de filtre possible
  • Pas dePare soleil
  • Diaphragme à 8 lamelles
  • Distance de mise au point minimale : 8cm
  • Optique entièrement manuelle sans transmission des EXIF

Le AstrHori est un fisheye circulaire pour plein format, c’est le seul disponible en monture. Sa longueur focale de 6mm lui permet de couvrir un angle de vu de 220° donc pratiquement derriere l’optique. il faudra donc faire attention a vos doigts sur le boitier et à vos pieds qui apparaitront souvent sur la photo si vous ne tenez pas le boitier à bout de bras

La bague d’ouverture est avec clics. La bague de mise au point n’a une course que de 10° entre 30cm et l’infini

La qualité de construction est bonne et l’optique est compacte et légère

On peu l’acheter ici

Camera body with a circular fisheye lens attached, prominently featuring the Sony logo on the top.

2 Optical performances / Performances optiques

2.1 Sharpness / Piqué

Table comparing sharpness performance at different aperture settings for a lens.

The tests were made on a Sony A7RV, with its 61 Mpix

  • Very good results wide open and excellent at F4
  • Borders are bad wide open but reach good level at F5.6 which is perfectly ok for a circular fisheye

Les tests on été effectués sur un A7RV, le plus exigeant de la gamme Sony avec ses 61Mpix

  • Très bon résultats au centre à pleine ouverture e excellent dès F4
  • Les bords eux sont mous à pleine ouverture mais atteignent le niveau bon à F5.6 ce qui est tout a fait correct pour un fisheye circulaire
A fisheye view of a bright, well-decorated room featuring wooden flooring, a table with items, and large windows, showcasing a wide 220-degree angle perspective.
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
  • F8
  • F11
  • F16
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
  • F11
  • F16
A crowded square featuring intricate historic buildings, including ornate facades and flags, during dusk.
F2.8 centre
Close-up of ornate architectural details on a building against a clear blue sky, showcasing intricate design elements.
F2.8 border
A bustling square filled with people in front of ornate historical buildings in Brussels, Belgium.
F5.6 centre
Image of a historic building with ornate architectural details and spires against a clear blue sky.
F5.6 border
A fisheye view of a bustling square with historic buildings and people enjoying the area, showcasing a bright blue sky and sun reflections.
Statue of a woman holding a book and a shield, situated on a pedestal, with a lamppost nearby and buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.
centre F2.8
A bright photo capturing the façade of a building, partially obscured by lens flare from the sun in the upper left corner.
border F2.8
A fisheye perspective of a cobbled square featuring historical buildings under a clear blue sky, with a central statue and street lamp.
full size
Two smiling young women pose closely together in a fish-eye lens view, with a historical building and a bustling street in the background.
Close-up of a person's eye, showcasing detailed eyelashes and a reflection in the iris.
Two young women smiling together in a fisheye view, with a historic building in the background and a crowd of people in a plaza.
Close-up of a smiling person, featuring a youthful face with fair skin, light hair, and blue-green eyes.
Two women smiling in a fisheye perspective in front of a historic building, with a crowd around them and a clear blue sky.
Close-up portrait of a smiling young person with long hair, against a blurred architectural background.

2.2 Vignetting / chromatic aberrations / flare / sunstars

  • Chromatic aberrations are quite high
  • The flare resistance is bad with some strong halos when directly facing the sun
  • Sunstars are very good

2.2 Vignettage / aberrations chromatiques / flare / effet d’étoiles

  • Les aberrations chromatiques sont bien visibles
  • La résistance au flare est assez mauvais avec des fort effets de halos si le soleil est en plein centre
  • Les effets d’étoiles sont très bons
Wide angle fisheye view of a bright and spacious living room with light wooden flooring, decorated shelves, and a mix of modern and classic furnishings.
A circular fisheye perspective of a lush green tree with sunlight filtering through its leaves, surrounded by a landscaped area.
F2.8
A circular fisheye photograph showcasing a vibrant tree with sunlight glimmering through its leaves, surrounded by colorful lens artifacts and a soft-focus background.
F5.6
A circular fisheye view showcasing lush greenery, a blue sky, and a lamppost, with a prominent circular distortion typical of fisheye lenses.
F16
A circular fisheye lens view showcasing a pathway surrounded by greenery and a modern building in the background under a blue sky with some clouds.
F2.8
A circular fisheye perspective showing a walkway surrounded by greenery under a blue sky with clouds and sunlight creating starbursts.
F5.6
A circular fisheye photograph showcasing a sunstar effect with a view of a path surrounded by greenery and a bright blue sky.
F16
A circular fisheye photograph depicting a park setting with trees, buildings in the background, and a pond. The image features vibrant colors and a wide-angle perspective, showcasing the unique distortion characteristic of fisheye lenses.
Close-up of a vintage street lamp entwined with greenery, featuring significant chromatic aberration effects.

2.3 Bokeh  / Color Rendition – Bokeh / Rendu des Couleurs

  • To get a blurry background with an ultra wide angle like this 6mm you need to be pretty damn close to your main subject. In those case at F2.8, the blur is quite soft for such kind of lens
  • Color rendition is very good
  • Pour avoir un fond flou il faut être très près de son sujet principal avec un tel ultra grand angle. Dans ce cas à pleine ouverture on obtient de beaux fonds flous assez doux pour ce genre d’object
  • Le rendu des couleurs est très bon
Image d'une figurine Playmobil prise avec un objectif fisheye, montrant une perspective large et déformée, avec un fond flou et des détails de l'intérieur légèrement visibles.
F2.8
A Playmobil figurine in a vest is positioned in front of a doorway, captured with a circular fisheye lens that shows an exaggerated field of view, emphasizing the figure while creating a unique surrounding distortion.
F4
Close-up of a Playmobil figure in focus, with a circular fisheye effect highlighting the background and interior decor.
F5.6
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
  • F8
A colorful display of waffles topped with strawberries and chocolate sauce, seen through a fisheye lens, capturing a busy vendor in the background.
Aerial view of a colorful display of bath products and accessories in a store, featuring various shapes and colors including bright orange, pink, and rainbow items.
A vibrant view of a colorful display of bath products arranged on shelves, captured through a circular fisheye lens, including various shapes resembling fruits and vegetables.
A vibrant fisheye view of colorful, artificial fruits and desserts displayed in a shop, featuring prominent pink shapes in foreground.

3 Video

  • Very good results in video facilitated by the clickless aperture
  • Moderate focus breathing
  • Très bon résultats en vidéo facilité par la bague d’ouverture sans clics
  • Focus breathing modéré
A close-up of a Playmobil figure wearing a suit and tie, photographed with a fisheye lens, showcasing a distorted perspective. The background displays a blurred interior space.
A circular fisheye image showing a playmobil figure in the foreground with a cozy room in the background, featuring furniture and decorative elements.

4 Comparison with other fisheye lenses / comparaisons avec d’autres optiques Fisheye

There are no other circular fisheye for E mount except maybe the Loawa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye @8mm

Il n’a pas d’autre fisheye circulaire plein format en monture sauf peut être le Loawa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye @8mm

Sony A7R camera with a circular fisheye lens attached, showcasing the lens design and camera body.
A Sony A7R camera with a Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye lens attached, showcasing the camera's sleek design and lens detail.

AstrHori 6mm F2.8Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 FisheyeAstrHori 12mm F2.8 Fisheye
Price / Prix299$829 euros259$
Weight / Poids340g650g771g
Length / Longueur64,8mm94,5mm90mm
field of view / Angle de vue220°180°185°
Buttons / RingAperture ring with click Bague d’ouverture avec clicsAperture ring with click
Bague d’ouverture avec clics		Aperture ring with click
Bague d’ouverture avec clics
Min focusing distance / Distance min de mise au point8cm16cm20cm
Build Quality / Quality de construction+++++++++
Aperture blades / Lames de diaphragme895
Filter / FiltreNoNoNo

Specifications

The AstrHori 6mm is one of it kind with an field of view of 220° , the closest one is the Laowa 8-15mm which also offer a circular fisheye at 8mm but that is much more heavier and expensive.

If you just look for a non circular fisheye then the AstrHori 12mm F2.8 Fisheye could be the one for you

Specifications

Le Astrhori 6mm est unique en son genre avec un angle de vue de 220°. Le plus proche est le Laowa 8-15mm qui offre également un fisheye circulaire à 8mm mais qui est beaucoup plus lourd et cher

Si vous êtes à la recherche d’un fisheye non circulaire alors le AstrHori 12mm F2.8 Fisheye pourrait être une option

Field of view

As you can see from the below the AstrHori 6mm is significantly wider than the Laowa 8mm

Angle de vue et vignettage

Comme vous pouvez le voir ci dessous le AstrHori 6mm est significativement plus large que le Laowa à 8mm

Interior view of a room captured with a circular fisheye lens, showcasing a cozy atmosphere. The decor includes art on the walls, a bookshelf, a table with flowers, and natural light coming from windows.
AstrHori 6mm F2.8
A fisheye lens view of a room featuring a bookshelf, decorative lighting, and a wooden table with flowers. The image showcases distorted perspectives typical of fisheye photography.
Loawa 8mm

Bokeh and color rendition / Bokeh et rendu des couleurs

The AstrHori 6mm F2.8 with its very short minimum focusing distance is giving more background blur than the Laowa 8mm

Le AstrHori 6mm F2.8 avec sa très courte distance min de mise au point donne plus de flou d’arrière plan que le Laowa à 8mm

A fisheye photo featuring a Playmobil figure in a living room setting, with distorted perspective and vibrant colors.
AstrHori 6mm F2.8
A close-up image of a Playmobil figure standing on a black camera accessory with a blurred background, taken with a fisheye lens.
Laowa 8mm F2.8
A vibrant fisheye view of a park with a pond, surrounded by lush trees and modern buildings under a clear blue sky.
AstrHori 6mm F2.8
A panoramic view of a park featuring a pond, a fountain, lush greenery, and modern buildings in the background, captured with a fisheye lens.
Laowa 8mm F8

Sharpness

Comparison chart displaying ratings, focal lengths, and sharpness ratings for AstrHori 6mm F2.8 Circular Fisheye and Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye.

In term of centre sharpness there is no difference , but the low is better on the border than the AstrHori

En terme de piqué au centre aucune différence notable, par contre sur les bords le Lawoa l’emporte haut la main

Reisstance to flare / CA

Both lenses are quite bad in term of resistance to flare

Les 2 optiques sont assez mauvaise en terme de résistance au flare

A circular fisheye lens image showcasing a vibrant view of a tree and surrounding foliage, with a bright sun shining in the background.
AstrHori 6mm F2.8
A circular fisheye image showcasing a sunburst effect in a green garden setting, with blue sky and clouds in the background.
AstrHori F2.8 @F16
Fisheye view of a garden with green trees and blue sky, capturing a circular perspective.
8mm F2.8
A fisheye lens view capturing bright sunlight through a circular perspective with surrounding greenery and buildings.
8mm F22

Conclusion

The Both lenses offer similar results but the AstrHori is much more compact, cheaper and lighter if you only look for a circular fisheye

The Laowa offer unique versatility thanks to its zoom feature

Conclusion

Les 2 optiques offrent des résultats similaires mais l’Astrhori est le plus compact, le moins cher et et le plus léger si vous ne chercher que un fisheye circulaire

Si la polyvalence est essentielle alors la fonction zoom du Lawoa sera un plus indéniable

5 Samples of Photos / Exemples de Photos

  • Very good sharpness and color rendering
  • Très bon piquée et très Bon rendu des couleurs
A person with glasses and a pink scarf smiles in a store with shelves filled with products. The image features a fisheye effect, creating a circular distortion around the edges.
Portrait of a smiling individual captured using a fisheye lens, showcasing a distorted perspective in a store filled with colorful products.
A wide-angle fisheye photo capturing a person with exaggerated facial features, taken indoors with shelves in the background.
A self-portrait capture using a circular fisheye lens, showing a cobblestone street perspective with the photographer's foot and shirt in the foreground.
A bustling street scene captured with a circular fisheye lens, featuring a woman taking a photo in the foreground and shoppers walking along a paved pathway lined with shops.
A fisheye view of a bustling outdoor café scene with people dining and enjoying a sunny day, showcasing the unique curvature of the building and environment.
A circular fisheye photo of a grand building with people sitting on its steps, captured under a bright blue sky.
Wide-angle view of the Grand Place in Brussels, showcasing the historic architecture and people in a bustling atmosphere, captured with a fisheye lens.
A fisheye photograph of a bustling urban square, featuring a historical building with an ornate facade. The image shows a vibrant scene of people walking, shopping, and enjoying the day under a clear blue sky.
A bustling shopping arcade captured with a circular fisheye lens, showcasing colorful storefronts and a crowd of people walking along the pathway beneath a glass ceiling.
A vibrant red sculpture in a mall corridor, framed by an archway, with shops visible in the background.
A fisheye perspective photograph showing an escalator leading up, inside a modern architectural space with large glass panels and artistic murals.
A wide-angle view of a busy street featuring a fish-eye lens perspective, showcasing modern and historic buildings, pedestrians, and bright blue sky.
A circular fisheye view of a bustling street scene with cafes and people, highlighting the unique 220° angle of view of the AstrHori 6mm F2.8 lens.
A Lego sculpture of a stormtrooper holding a weapon, set in a brightly lit store with shelves featuring various collectibles and merchandise.
A vibrant mural on a building wall captured with a fisheye lens, showcasing a colorful design that includes abstract shapes and a sunflower, set in a narrow street with brick buildings and a fire hydrant.
Interior of a cafe viewed through a fisheye lens, showcasing a lively atmosphere with customers seated at various tables and colorful chairs, complemented by plants hanging from the ceiling.
View of an escalator leading upward, surrounded by a glass and geometric structure, captured with a circular fisheye lens.
A circular fisheye perspective of a brightly colored wall display featuring various containers of building materials labeled 'Pick & Build', with two people engaged in selecting items.
A fisheye view of a vibrant toy store interior, showcasing shelves filled with colorful products and modern circular lighting fixtures.
A fisheye perspective view of a park path surrounded by lush green trees and a clear blue sky, showcasing a circular distortion typical of fisheye lenses.
A bustling city street captured with a circular fisheye lens, showcasing unique architectural shapes and vibrant storefronts under a blue sky.
A fisheye photograph capturing a circular display of postcards featuring the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, with buildings reflected in a spherical perspective.
A close-up of a light pink flower surrounded by greenery, captured with a circular fisheye lens, creating a unique distorted perspective.
A close-up view of ivy leaves captured with a circular fisheye lens, showcasing a distorted perspective with a wide field of view.
Fisheye view of a market display filled with ripe strawberries under a blue canopy.
A circular fisheye image featuring a display of colorful water bottles in a store, creating a distorted perspective with a wide angle view.
A fisheye photograph of a yellow bicycle seat with the logo 'villo!' and the text 'be .brussels' prominently displayed, set against a city background with modern architecture.
A close-up view of a bicycle parked in an urban setting, featuring the 'be. Brussels' logo on the bike's yellow frame with a modern architectural structure in the background.
A circular fisheye view of a shopping arcade with shops and people in the background, showcasing the unique distortion of the 220-degree angle lens.
A close-up shot of a wooden post with ivy leaves and a chain wrapped around it, captured using a circular fisheye lens, showcasing a distorted perspective.

6 Conclusion (English)

The Astrhori 6mm F2.8 Fisheye (299$) is a unique circular fisheye with a record field of view of 220° . Results are very good to excellent in term of sharpness. Very good color rendition and bokeh but bad resistance to flare

Highly recommended

You can buy it here

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Pros

  • Very good to excellent sharpness in the centre
  • Very good build quality
  • Compact & light
  • Very good sunstars
  • Very Good color rendition
  • Background blur quite soft for such a lens
  • Price
  • Very short min focusing distance

Average

  • Corners wide open are a bit soft but good at F4
  • Resistance to flare with some halos when facing the sun
  • Some CA

Cons

  • None
A Sony A7R camera fitted with an AstrHori 6mm F2.8 circular fisheye lens, showcasing its compact design and distinctive rounded lens front.

6 Conclusion (Français)

Le Astrhori 6mm F2.8 Fishete (299$) est une optique fisheye circulaire avec un angle de vue de 220° assez unique dans son genre. Les résultats sont très bon à excellents pour le piqué. Très bon rendu des couleurs et bokeh mais mauvaise résistance au flare

Hautement Recommandé

On peu l’acheter ici

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Pour

  • Très bon à excellent piqué au centre
  • Prix
  • Très bonne qualité de construction
  • Compact et léger
  • Beaux effets d’étoiles
  • Très bon rendu des couleurs
  • Flou d’arrière plan assez doux et important pour ce genre d’objectif
  • Très faible distance min de mise au point

Moyen

  • Résistance au flare
  • Coins à pleine ouverture sont un mou mais deviennent bons à F4
  • AC

Contre

  • Aucun

3 responses to “AstrHori 6mm F2.8”

  1. Damian Avatar
    Damian

    maybe you could make Samyang 14-24 2.8 review… it will be interesting to compare this newest wide lens. Thanks

    Reply
    1. Marc Alhadeff Avatar
      Marc Alhadeff

      already reviewed in May 2025 here https://sonyalpha.blog/2025/05/20/samyang-14-24mm-f2-8-schneider-kreuznach/

      Reply
  2. Eric François Avatar
    Eric François

    excellent petit objectif, monté sur un a7 c2, mais attention à reculer les pieds, les doigts, à désactiver le steady shot et, de préférence, se mettre en format carré. Un vrai plaisir! Merci pour votre superbe travail pour la gamme Sony

    Reply

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