Astrhori 28mm f/13 2x Macro Probe lens review

Ohhh this one's interesting. We've all seen videos of these probe lenses at work...but what is their quality really like?
All pictures taken by me on a Sony a7R III camera.
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Music:
'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@Maddin1313]

Combine this lens with the fotosnaiper grip for the perfect street photography setup to get arrested 😂

[@GioJonnhyK]

😂😂😂😂😂😂❤️

[@uzairsaeed6707]

Also add a optional Schmidt and bender 3-12x50 PM II sniper scope on top of the lens

[@BushmanMedia]

😂😂😂

[@andrastoth4549]

this comment xdd

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Thanks Christopher, amazing tests!

[@sadfish13]

ooooh i have been waiting for this. thank you.

[@colinbluth5461]

i got the laowa probe, its a great lens. im also happy there is a cheaper version of it available for people to use :)

[@toastermon2272]

Damn that's a compelling price for a good portion of the functionality, given of a very niche lens. But there being an alternative at all is great news for people who want to experiment. Now just to wait for some to pop up on the secondary market.

[@sharpskilz]

Yep getting this now, if i can get one

[@scottchiang7616]

Chris you forgot to mention one feature of the lens, the ability to disassemble into two pieces for storage & traveling.

[@patrickelliott-brennan8960]

Every time I think about a new lens, I come here to see what you have to say, Chris. I literally mentioned this lens to a friend TODAY who said "Have you seen the review by Christopher Frost?" LOL

[@EXkurogane]

Great timing. I couldn't justify the Laowa's pricing - I'm just a youtuber who likes to film and review scale models, so I've been curious about this lens on whether it's a viable alternative to make b rolls. I think this lens will be in my shortlist of lenses to purchase in the near future. I'm the kind of person who can justify a $2000 premium 50mm 1.2 autofocus lens, but not a $1500 manual lens like the Laowa.

[@KoenKooi]

Tiago Catarino did a video on how he uses a probe lens for his lego videos last month, very nice effects when you combine it with a slider.

[@EXkurogane]

@@KoenKooi i already own a motorized slider for the past one year. One of my best purchases together with a dolly robot and a 105mm macro. All that's left is a probe lens that fits into tighter spaces.

[@nightdonutstudio]

The resolution is good for 4k video? Looks soft for photo.

[@klassenlm]

Personally I would like a review of ESV and NIV side by side.

[@johnsm5261]

i have a question sir. is the viltrox fe 20mm 1.8 e mount can fit to nikon z30?

[@kiyashko86]

Yes it twice cheaper, but also it more narrow comparing to Laowa, which is bad for probe lens. The question is how much sharpness and contrast close to Laowa?

[@iamjessehamad]

This looks absolutely identical to the Laowa- is it just a rebrand?

[@harynjk]

I would disagree that these kind of lenses would be mainly usable for video work. If they could make it a little sharper, this form would be great for macrophotography. Little insects and spiders are often hiding in tight places, bushes, and with this form you could get close to them easier, and not scare them away by trying to penetrate to you usual size macro lens to the bush (trying to move branches out of the way.)

[@mexmax1657]

Don't get me wrong but I can't share your opinion on this lenses image Quality. For a Macro Lens I really think this is a horrible performance at all F-Stops. But thanks for your review as always. You're my Nr. 1 channel for getting Lens Reviews for years now. :)

[@sinetwo]

Have you used the Laowa to compare?

[@p382742937423y4]

My English is not good enough Chris. Did you say you can film underwater for 20 centimeter with this lens? (Submerged?)

[@cyberwitch]

Where about in the UK can you pay £620? Cheapest I have seen is £899. I got my one from AliExpress for £612 + £135 import tax, in total £747 saving myself about £150 or so I thought.

[@MrAndreyALi]

an endoscope review? is this really a channel about photography?😅

[@reesbass]

yo

[@mohammedsaqallah32]

Only downside is you can't travel with this lens ...how would you explain to security that this is a lens

[@TheKimNeeper]

Metallic means someting that looks like metal, like chromed plastic... ;)

[@colinjudge1261]

It also means something “of, related to, or associated with metal”. Iron is a “metallic element”. This lens has a “metallic construction”. He used it correctly.

[@TheKimNeeper]

@@colinjudge1261 According to a dictionary, but not the common understanding.

[@colinjudge1261]

Huh? It’s the primary definition. I think it’s pretty commonly understood.

[@rozentals_photography28]

no chances even for fun that is too expensive because for macro its a totally usuless sharpness is total 0 for macro

[@ecaphoto]