Shift lenses have all the time been a distinct segment, specialist instrument – the form of gear that severe structure or actual property photographers spend money on, normally at a premium. Discovering one for an APS-C sensor, or for underneath $1,000, has been subsequent to unimaginable, which is why the announcement of the AstrHori 18mm f/5.6 APS-C pancake shift lens is particular.
This compact, light-weight lens – designed for Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z and Leica L-Mount – brings a extremely sensible function to APS-C customers: in-camera perspective correction, with out the standard value or bulk.
For anybody capturing cityscapes, interiors or architectural strains, it opens a brand new stage of management with out counting on workarounds or post-production fixes.
The draw back has all the time been the value and measurement. Lenses just like the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Shift provide that flexibility however, at round $1,200 and over 500g, they’ve by no means actually been in attain for the common APS-C shooter. Some lenses even go additional, just like the Nikon PC Nikkor 19mm f/4E ED, coming in at round $3,400 and 885g.
Because of this the brand new AstrHori 18mm f/5.6 APS-C pancake shift lens stands out so clearly. It is a true shift lens, designed particularly for APS-C, and but it is extremely compact and prices simply $119 / £119.
AstrHori 18mm f/5.6 APS-C pancake shift lens
Specs
Body measurement: APS-C
Focal size: 18mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Angle of view: 76.8°
Focus vary: 0.3m ~ ∞
Weight: ~169g (E-mount)
Mounts: E, L, X and Z
The AstrHori lens has a hard and fast f/5.6 aperture – modest, certain, however this is not a couple of shallow depth of area or low-light capturing. It is a couple of sensible, transportable perspective correction in a format that may slot in your pocket.
And there is actually no direct competitors at this stage. The one different APS-C choice that comes shut is Laowa’s 12-24mm f/5.6 zoom shift lens, which provides a zoom vary and a barely bigger shift motion, but it surely’s priced at almost $700 and it is over 3 occasions heavier than the AstrHori.
Positive, for this value, you are not getting the ultra-polished optics of a high-end professional lens. There could also be compromises in sharpness or edge efficiency, and also you’re working with guide focus solely. Besides, the worth is difficult to disregard. It is not about changing high-end gear, however relatively making a professional method out there to a a lot wider group of creatives.
Personally, I am unable to wait to take it out for a stroll. Having one thing this gentle and purposeful that offers me management over the strains – with no need to lug round a full-frame shift lens – is a win.
You may also like…
Check out the finest tilt-shift lenses and the finest pancake lenses in the marketplace.