Yes another lens "review" by yours truly... I do these so people can see examples of what a lens can do to help make descisions for them. I know I've used these types of threads on other forums (and still post in them to help other potential buyers) to help me decide, so hopefully it will help someone here.

Here's the only shot I have of the 15mm FE, it's on the 5D to the right:

Fisheyes are interesting lenses. They distort everything in the frame to an insane amount. This can work very well for some subjects, not so well for others. The other problem you'll run into is that some people will buy one and shoot EVERYTHING with them. While they are fun, and a good tool, they are just that, a tool to get specific shots. I use mine to get shots in tight places generally, but it's been fun to play with for other ideas also. I've wanted one for ~10 years, and finally got one after a long time deciding.

For the lens, it's a non USM prime made by canon. Being that it doesn't have USM (an ultrasonic motor for focusing) it's slow to focus and noisy (think nifty fifty noisy). This really isn't an issue because with a lens this wide, even at f/2.8 the DOF is incredible. So if you are shooting anything "fast" you can just use it's DOF and make it work. It focuses fast enough, it's just not quick... The front element on this bad boy is insane. Very domed and weird looking. It's so wide filters are out of the question. It has a built in hood but it's basically just there to protect the front element from being bumped into things. It's lenscap is weird and very loose, but works (and works better with a little bit of electrical tape).

There is a sigma option that's as fast and is as sharp from what I've heard. It's also a bit less expensive. Honestly I didn't like the way it looked (their paint sucks, and it's hood in fugly) so I went with the canon. I realize that the appearance of a lens is a really dumb criteria to make a purchase on, but the sigma is funky looking and the canon looks better.

Anyway, I've had this lens for about 6 months now and I've been very happy with it so far. Below are some sample images taken over the last 6 months, all on a FF 5D:








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Originally Posted by jacobsen1

WOW!!!!

Just a few more samples:

and if anyone wants more samples on a cropper, just check my blog. It's been on the 40D almost exclusively since my 24L isn't wide anymore.

Here are a few 40D samples:

Going through some photos for my MIL:

took the fisheye out this morning, it's basically impossible to use from a tripod...