Today, we are going to do a quick review of the new AstrHori 18mm F8 2X Micro Lens. This
is the world's first Probe Lens designed for APS-C or Micro 4/3 consumer cameras
with the largest Aperture - F8, instead of F14 like the Laowa. That means it requires
less professional light, better shadow depth of field, and less Diffraction.
It comes in a nice case, in TWO parts and can be connected like this. This means, in the future,
it can be upgraded into other Macro Probe lens—something you
might not see before. The aperture range is F8 to F28, 2 time Magnification, very solid Metal built.
It even comes with a Light, and you can adjust brightness with this remote. Great for social
media creators who need a fast way to shoot subject instead of wasting time to setup light.
The lens is also waterproof!
It fully covers APS-C sensor, but in Full-frame, it does have a black circle like this on SONY A1.
The best thing is the price, it is only $719.
Just like their astrhori 28mm f13, this lens is not as sharp as Laowa. So you do pay what you get.
You also will need a very good slider to take videos like this,
and you will need to stabilize the long lens with TWO to THREE points of physical contact to avoid
vibration. Like the rubber band bango tie and the magic arm for support right here.
Here is my recommended setup. Use a long lens rail with Arca-Swiss. I have the Ulanzi Falcam
Half Cage here. The benefit of this cage is the quick switch from landscape shooting to portrait
shooting. APS-C camera, I am assuming you are doing most of your video for social media.
The Falcam Half Cage F38 quick release is basically Arca Swiss, so it will fit nicely.
Then I have a Falcam F22 Magic Arm right here as the front support. Using a small
magic arm is just easier to adjust the height to fit different height requirements. The most
important part is this rubber band right here. It is bango tire. It cost less than 5 cents,
but it is the most versatile rigging tool for any filmmaker. It creates pressure,
to secure the lens to the magic arm - so it won't bounce up and down left and right.
It is like a vibration dampener. If you need to go in tight space,
just move the whole setup forward on the rail. This is on a moveable Arac swiss
The bango tire is the only requirement, the rest, you can use anything. Even a
block of wood in here will be fine. You just need something to support the front lens.
I hope this quick video helps you to create amazing Macro Videos. The only downsize of
AstrHori Lens is the sharpness. Not if you have an APS-C camera,
then AstrHori 18mm F8 is your only option. It is nice NOT have to blast a ton of light
just to capture something quick for my product review video. What do you think? Comment below.
Can you capture VR180 3D Marco Video? Well, this is what I am going to figure out next.
The FOV is 80 on a Full Frame camera. 2 of them at least give me 3D video. So,
you just have to subscribe and find out in my next video. See ya!