Fujifilm AstrHori 28mm f/13 2x Macro Probe Lens Kit with Review
The AstrHori 28mm f/13 macro probe lens is incredibly sharp but locked at f/13. It's a brilliant tool for a tiny niche, and a frustrating purchase for everyone else.
The 30-Second Version
The AstrHori 28mm f/13 is a sharp, single-purpose macro probe lens. Its unique design and built-in light are great for niche close-up work, but the fixed f/13 aperture is a huge limitation. Only worth it if you absolutely need a probe.
Overview
The AstrHori 28mm f/13 is a lens that knows exactly what it is. It's a dedicated macro probe, designed to get you into tight spaces for extreme close-ups. Forget about portraits or landscapes. This is a single-purpose tool for photographing the tiny world.
With a fixed f/13 aperture and a 2:1 magnification ratio, it's built for depth of field and detail, not for speed or low light. The unique probe design and included LED light are the main attractions here, letting you illuminate subjects from inches away.
Performance
Optical performance is its standout feature, landing in the 98th percentile for sharpness in our database. That means it's incredibly sharp for macro work, which is the whole point. But that's where the high notes end. The fixed f/13 aperture is a major constraint, demanding a ton of light or high ISO. Autofocus performance is middle-of-the-pack, and there's no stabilization to help with those shaky, magnified shots. It's a specialist that excels at its one job and struggles with everything else.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong optical (98th percentile) 98th
- Strong macro (71th percentile) 71th
Cons
- Below average aperture (12th percentile) 12th
- Below average bokeh (12th percentile) 12th
- Below average build (14th percentile) 14th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 28 |
| Focal Length Max | 28 |
| Elements | 21 |
| Groups | 16 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/13 |
| Min Aperture | f/40 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 480 |
| Max Magnification | 2:1 |
Value & Pricing
At $1369, this lens asks you to pay a premium for a very specific experience. You're not buying general optical quality; you're buying a unique form factor and a dedicated macro tool. If you're a product photographer needing to shoot inside electronics or a nature photographer obsessed with insect eyes, that price might be justifiable. For anyone else, it's a hard sell for a lens with such a narrow use case.
Price History
vs Competition
This lens doesn't really compete with general-purpose lenses like the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 or the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. Those are versatile, fast-aperture lenses for everyday use. The AstrHori is the opposite. A closer comparison might be a dedicated macro lens like a Laowa 2:1, but even those offer wider apertures. The AstrHori's real competition is other probe lenses, and its value hinges entirely on whether you need that specific tube-and-LED-light form factor more than you need a flexible aperture.
| Spec | Fujifilm AstrHori 28mm f/13 2x Macro Probe Lens Kit with | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 28mm | 55mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/13 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 680 | 281 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 422 |
| AF Type | — | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | — | — | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | — |
Common Questions
Q: Can I use this lens for anything other than macro?
Not really. The fixed f/13 aperture makes it terrible for low light or portraits, and the 28mm focal length on APS-C isn't ideal for general use. It's a dedicated macro tool.
Q: Why is the aperture fixed at f/13?
The probe design and extreme magnification require a very small aperture to get any usable depth of field at such close focusing distances. It's a trade-off for the form factor.
Q: How do you focus with it?
You focus by moving the camera and lens physically closer or farther from the subject. The working distance is tiny, so you'll be doing a lot of fine adjustments by hand.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're looking for a general-purpose or even a standard macro lens. If you shoot in anything less than bright studio light, the f/13 aperture will be a constant battle. And if you value versatility at all, look at a traditional macro lens instead. This is for a very specific type of photographer.
Verdict
Buy this if you are a professional or serious enthusiast who specifically needs a probe lens for commercial product work, scientific imaging, or extreme macro where getting the camera out of the way is the top priority. It's a tool, not a lens. For everyone else, even dedicated macro shooters, a standard macro lens will be more versatile and less frustrating.