CameraReview

AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2x-5x Macro

AstrHori · 25 mm · f/2.8

AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2x-5x Macro

Score Breakdown

Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.

Physical 64
Optics 59
Construction 15
44
SCORE /100
What We Like
+Extreme 2x-5x magnification reveals fine details invisible to naked eye
+Compact 25mm focal length provides broader depth of field than longer macro lenses, reducing focus stacking requirements
+Extended 37.5–45mm working distance allows room for lighting setup without casting shadows
+Excellent image quality at all magnifications with minimal chromatic aberration
+Manual focus design with clicked aperture for precise control over macro subjects
+Affordable at $249 compared to competing ultra-macro lenses like the Laowa
Worth Knowing
−Fixed focus distance for macro only—no infinity focus or general-purpose use; not a multi-purpose lens
−Extremely steep learning curve and fiddly operation; requires tripod, macro rail, and careful technique to achieve sharp results
−Magnification ring suffers from focus creep in early production units; requires camera/subject repositioning to focus rather than traditional focus ring
−Tiny working depth of field at 5x magnification makes composition and focus stacking complex and time-consuming

General

About This Lens
The AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2x-5x Macro is an ultra-specialized macro lens delivering extreme 2x-to-5x magnification for full-frame mirrorless cameras. With a compact wide-angle design providing better depth of field than telephoto macro lenses and solid image quality at a budget price of $249, it's an exceptional value for dedicated macro enthusiasts. However, its fixed focus design, fiddly magnification-ring operation, and demanding technique requirements make it strictly a single-purpose tool for expert macro photographers.
BrandAstrHori
Release Year2024
Production Status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Lens Mount
ⓘ
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Sony E
System
ⓘ
Indicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to.
Sony E
Maximum Format
ⓘ
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Full Frame

Physical

64/100
Lens Weight474 g
Lens Diameter
ⓘ
Width of the lens at its widest point
61 mm
Lens Length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
102 mm
Front Filter Compatible
ⓘ
Some lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove.
Yes

Optics

59/100
Focal Range
ⓘ
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
25 mm
Aperture Range
ⓘ
Largest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end)
2.8
Focal Length Angle of View20°–9°
Flange Focal Distance
ⓘ
Distance from lens mount to sensor.
18 mm
Diaphragm Type
ⓘ
Structure and design of the aperture
Manual
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
8020
Zoom Lens
ⓘ
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Closest Focusing Distance
ⓘ
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
11.3 cm01500
Maximum Magnification
ⓘ
Largest size a subject can be reproduced
5x
Autofocus ModeNo
Manual ModeYes
Manual Focusing RingNo

Features

Weather Sealing
ⓘ
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
No
Fluorine Coating
ⓘ
Coating to repel water and oil from lens elements.
No
Built In Lens HoodNo
Teleconverter
ⓘ
A teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification
No
Image StabilizationNo

Construction

15/100
Elements
ⓘ
Lens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens.
10
Groups7
Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
The number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration.
0
Bi Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
Elements with two non-spherical surfaces
0
Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Elements that reduce chromatic aberration
2
Super Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Advanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration
0
CA Reduction
ⓘ
Built-in features to reduce chromatic aberration
0
Internal Focusing
ⓘ
Internal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate.
No