AstrHori

AstrHori (Shenzhen Bozhou Optical Technology Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese optical manufacturer specializing in affordable, experimental manual focus lenses. While broadly known for specialized macro and tilt-shift optics for mirrorless systems, the brand has developed a dedicated catalog for the Leica M-mount. In this sector, AstrHori focuses on extreme wide-angle focal lengths and ultra-compact "pancake" designs, offering entry-level alternatives to high-end rangefinder glass.

Unlike heritage brands that attempt to clone specific vintage formulas (like Light Lens Lab), AstrHori differentiates itself by producing modern, niche specifications that are often absent from the official Leica roadmap, such as affordable fisheyes and integrated light metering accessories.

History

AstrHori was established in 2018 in Shenzhen, China. The company initially entered the market under the name "Rockstar" (or Xingyao), releasing a series of budget-friendly pancake lenses.

The "Rockstar" Origins (2018–2021) Early products were characterized by their distinct, geometric industrial design and extreme compactness. The 10mm f/8 Fisheye and 27mm f/2.8 were among the first to gain traction. These lenses were initially marketed to APS-C mirrorless users, but the company soon identified a demand within the rangefinder community for low-cost, experimental body cap lenses.

Expansion into M-Mount (2022–Present) Following a rebranding to AstrHori, the company formalized its M-mount lineup. They released full-frame lenses specifically designed for the flange distance of Leica M cameras. This expansion included the 40mm f/5.6, a lens clearly targeting the "street photography" aesthetic favored by rangefinder users. Concurrently, AstrHori recognized the lack of affordable, new accessory meters for vintage mechanical cameras (like the Leica M3 or M2) and released the AH-M1 electronic light meter, which became one of their best-selling products in the analog community [1].

Product Lines (M-Mount)

AstrHori's M-mount lenses are native to the Leica M bayonet. It is important to note that unlike vintage Canon or Nikon rangefinder lenses, AstrHori lenses are not available in LTM (Leica Thread Mount/M39). They are designed strictly for M-mount bodies or mirrorless cameras via adapters.

The Pancake Series

These lenses prioritize physical size over maximum aperture, designed to make the camera system pocketable.

• 40mm f/5.6: A full-frame, manual focus lens with a distinct "industrial" aesthetic. It features a complex optical structure (7 elements in 5 groups) despite its small size.
  • Coupling: This lens is rangefinder coupled, allowing for accurate focus using the camera's optical patch.
  • Character: Known for high sharpness and a "modern" rendering with moderate contrast, differing from the "glow" of vintage optics [2].
• 24mm f/6.3: An ultra-wide pancake lens primarily designed for hyperfocal shooting. Due to the extreme depth of field at f/6.3, precise focus coupling is less critical, making it a popular "snapshot" lens for street photography.

The Fisheye Series

AstrHori is one of the few manufacturers producing budget fisheye optics natively for M-mount.

• 10mm f/8 II: A dedicated fisheye lens offering a 150-degree angle of view.
  • Usage: It is fixed aperture (f/8) and uncoupled from the rangefinder mechanism. Focus is achieved via zone focusing (scale focus), which is effective due to the massive depth of field provided by the 10mm focal length.
  • Application: Primarily used for creative distortion effects or extreme wide-angle lomography-style shooting [3].

Accessories

• AH-M1 Light Meter: A shoe-mounted, OLED electronic light meter. While not a lens, this product is central to AstrHori's reputation among Leica users. It provides real-time exposure readings for meterless cameras (Leica M2, M3, M4-P), serving as a modern, rechargeable alternative to the discontinued Voigtländer VC Meter or vintage selenium meters [4].

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Native Mount	Leica M-Mount (Bayonet)
LTM Compatibility	None. These lenses cannot be mounted on LTM/screw-mount cameras (e.g., Leica IIIg).
Focus Coupling	Coupled: 40mm f/5.6, 50mm f/2, 75mm f/4. Uncoupled: 10mm f/8, 12mm f/2.8, 24mm f/6.3.
6-Bit Coding	None. Users must manually select lens profiles in digital Leica menus or apply physical coding codes.
Build Materials	Anodized Aluminum or Brass alloy (depending on model).
Filter Thread	Varies; typically proprietary or requires slip-on adapters due to bulbous front elements on wide angles.

Market Reception

In the Leica ecosystem, AstrHori occupies the "ultra-budget" tier, positioned below 7Artisans and TTArtisan.

• The "Fun" Factor: Photographers typically purchase AstrHori M lenses as experimental "body caps." The 10mm f/8 is frequently cited as a fun, low-risk way to experiment with fisheye photography on a Leica without investing in rare vintage Nikon or Zeiss holographic lenses.
• Coupling Limitations: The lack of rangefinder coupling on their wider lenses (10mm, 12mm, 24mm) is a common point of discussion. While technically acceptable for such wide focal lengths, dedicated rangefinder users often prefer coupled lenses for the tactile confirmation of focus.
• The Light Meter: Conversely, the AH-M1 meter is widely praised for its build quality and utility, often considered a standard purchase for new owners of vintage meterless M bodies [5].

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Sources

• AstrHori Official Story: https://astrhori.com/pages/about-us
• CineGear (40mm f/5.6 Overview): https://cinegear.nl/product/astrhori-40mm-f5-6-full-frame-lens-for-leica-m/
• SonyAlphaBlog (10mm f/8 Review): https://sonyalpha.blog/2022/05/02/astrhori-10mm-f8/
• 35mmc (AH-M1 Meter Review): https://www.35mmc.com/12/02/2024/astrhori-ah-m1-shoe-mount-light-meter-review/
• Roger Lowe (AH-M1 User Review): https://www.rogerlowe.co.uk/astrhori-ah-m1-a-tiny-light-meter/