đź’ˇ Today I am going to talk to you about the fisheye lensesif what you are looking for is help to buy a lens, or resolve doubts about terminology, acronyms and others, this is the guide you need.
As I told you in the article “The World Seen From a “Fish Eye”:
Fisheye lenses break the norm and the photographs taken with them surprise and captivate the viewer, transporting them to a world where nothing is what it seems.
But to be able to see the world through a fisheye, you must first get one that allows you not only to capture distorted photographs but also quality ones.
That is why, given the wide variety of brands and models available, I have prepared a list of the 10 fisheye lenses that, in my opinion, you cannot ignore when making the decision to get one of these magnificent lenses. .
Do not miss it! Some of them are so cheap that you cannot ignore them. And if you want a lens that will help you photograph landscapes, don’t miss this article.
1. Samyang 8mm f/3.5
It may seem to you that a brand without the reputation of the big Japanese firms is not trustworthy, so you should think again. The Samyang AE 8mm f/3.5 Aspherical IF MC CS is designed for APS-C sensors. Its main novelty is the incorporation of a microprocessor built into the lens that will allow you to fully control the metering settings to ensure that your photographs are always correctly exposed. and facilitates its use with TTL systems.
That is why, if you are thinking of getting a fisheye lens, Samyang has not made it easy for you, and even less considering its price: approximately 270 euros on Amazon.
2. Walimex Pro II 8mm f/3.5
This objective, more than a lens, can be considered an excellent accessory to capture very funny photographs. The Walimex 8mm is a completely manual fixed lens, built in a very solid and resistant way, but still small and comfortable to use.
The extreme angle of view offered by this lens (180Âş) as well as the creative possibilities it offers thanks to the deformity at the ends, can offer you the most creative images.
You can find it for NikonSony and Canon for about 350 to 250 euros depending on the brand and model.
With this objective you will have fun guaranteed.
3. Tokina 10-17mm f/2.8
This fisheye lens was the first fisheye lens with a “zoom”, meaning that you can vary the focal length between 10 and 17mm, which made it one of the preferred fisheye lenses for viewers. photographers who love this type of lens.
The quality of the lenses of this brand is no longer surprising and this lens is no exception: very solid construction, exceptional quality and a very competitive price make this lens one of the main recommendations that I can make. If you are thinking of incorporating a lens of this type into your backpack, here is one of your best options.
This lens is completely automatic or manual depending on your preferences, with a great construction and excellent image quality, which, for its price, is not so easy to get, even in the big brands. How many? Approximately 560 euros.
4. Bower 8mm f/3.5
Once again you are facing a brand that may seem unknown to you but that does not make it less attractive, especially after seeing the quality of the photographs that you can take with this little giant. Recently it began to be offered in photo stores and was gaining popularity thanks to the price/quality ratio.
Its construction is robust and reliable and the quality of the resulting photographs does not have much to envy to the fisheye lenses of the big brands. If you want to achieve spectacular effects at low cost: around 220 euros, this is the perfect lens for you. In fact, it is the cheapest fisheye lens on the market which makes it a “must have” lens.
Do you want more reasons? It is available for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax and Minolta.
5. Rokinon 8mm f/3.5
This ultra wide angle lens with fisheye effect will guarantee you an exaggerated perspective in all your photographs, typical of this type of lens when you use it on an APS-C sensor camera (if you use it on a Full Frame it will produce a circular image or vignetting).
What makes it special? This lens has a built-in microprocessor that will allow you not only to control the metering and exposure of your photos directly from the camera, but it will also allow you to work with autofocus. The lenses of this lens are multilayer coated so that the images you will be able to obtain will be very sharp and well defined, minimizing unwanted reflections thanks to its built-in lens hood.
For only 220 euros you can get one of these fish eyes.
6. Af-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8 ED
If it’s prestige you’re after, the Nikon AF DX 10.5mm Fisheye may be your ideal choice. This lens is a 180 degree ultra wide angle designed exclusively for use on Nikon cameras with an APS-C sensor, so its effective focal length is 15.75mm and not 10.5mm (Full Frame equivalent). Its small size and light weight make this lens a “take it with you always” since it will take up almost no space in your backpack. This lens only has one limitation: it doesn’t come with a built-in focus motor, but considering its short focal length and exaggerated angle of view, this really takes a backseat. Its price? Approximately 710 euros on Amazon.
7. Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX
This Sigma fisheye lens was specially designed to be used on cameras with an APS-C sensor and is available for both Canon and Nikon, although the effective focal length varies depending on the brand: 167 degrees for Canon and 180 degrees for Nikon. Nikon. One of the main advantages that this lens has over the rest of its main competitors are: the autofocus system and the minimum focus distance of 13.5 cm, almost as if it were a macro lens, which will allow you to obtain completely in focus easily.
Its front lens has a multi-layer coating which, added to its built-in lens hood, will prevent light rays from bouncing off it, generating unwanted reflections and allowing you to obtain truly amazing sharpness and quality in your photographs. In summary: extremely fast and silent built-in autofocus system, solid and resistant construction and the prestige that Sigma has managed to gain in the market will only leave you with one variable to analyze: its price. You can get this spectacular fisheye to leave everyone with their mouths open for approximately 680 euros on Amazon And while it’s more expensive than most of its alternatives, it’s well worth the extra expense.
8. Canon EF20mm f/2.8
If you are a user of the Japanese giant, this fisheye lens is one of the lenses of this type to take into account. Its sharpness and definition are very good, even at the edges of the lens, which is where the greatest distortions and aberrations usually occur.
Despite being originally designed for cameras with a Full Frame sensor, you can also use it if your camera is not APS-C sized, although you will sacrifice some of the extreme distortion characteristic of this type of lens (94Âş in full Frame).
Its strongest points: the quality of its optics, its brightness (f/2.8) and its weight (405 grams) and autofocus. Its weakest points: the plastic construction of its body and the impossibility of placing any type of filter that protects its large front lens.
You can get this fisheye lens for around 500 euros on Amazon.
9. Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED
Pentax was the first brand to develop a full frame “zoom” fisheye lens, which shows that this brand knows what it is doing and is very clear about what it wants.
This lens has an angle of view of 180 degrees at 10mm and 100 degrees at its maximum focal length. The construction of this lens is quite decent as it mixes metal parts with good quality plastics. The zoom and focus rings are smooth and comfortable to operate. Like most of these lenses, it is impossible to put a filter on it that protects its front lens, so you must be extremely careful to avoid scratches, despite this, said lens was treated with a sheet that prevents it from scratching easily and the protects against water and dust.
This lens does not have an internal focus motor, but if your camera has an in-body focus motor, you can use it in that mode. Its focus speed is really fast and accurate if you use it on cameras like the Pentax K10D or higher models.
What is your price? Around 450 euros on Amazon.
10. Sony SAL-16F28 16mm f/2.8
This Sony brand fisheye lens was originally designed to be used on cameras with full format or Full Frame sensors, which is where you will obtain the maximum distortion sought in this type of lens. In any case, you can use it in smaller format sensors, sacrificing a bit of its characteristic effect. Unfortunately, Sony does not offer fisheye lenses designed for smaller sensors under its own brand, so if you want to achieve maximum coverage (180 degrees), you should go for an alternative brand compatible with your Sony SLR.
Thanks to its maximum aperture of f/2.8 you can use it even in situations where the lighting is not ideal. Take a look at the sample photo of this lens.
Its price is around 850 euros on Amazon. Something expensive considering the alternatives that I was commenting on throughout this article. In any case, keep in mind that it is a lens designed to be used with a Full Frame camera, which would justify its price a bit.
I hope I have been able to guide you a little more about what are, in my opinion, the best alternatives on the market in terms of fisheye or “Fish eye” lenses. If you think I’ve overlooked any, feel free to recommend them in the comments section! Your contributions make this blog what it is =)