Image comparison for fisheye lens options?

[JayR]

First time post ~ just begun buying into Canon full frame after 20 years of using Pentax.

So looking at full frame fisheye lens options - has anyone seen any side-by-side comparisons of the images from each? Not sure if my search skills are lacking, but struggling to find much in the way of tests comparing more than one.

Its more out of interest to compare the 'stereographic' projection of the Samyang 12mm against the old Canon 15mm and various Sigma options (though not specifically the full circle kind)

Cheers in advance!

 

[jdramirez]

For what it is worth, I was looking for a comparison between the sigma 8-16 and the Canon 8-15 and I couldn't find something. I know I didn't like the rokinon 8mm option. It was plenty sharp enough, but I didn't like the semi circular look.

 

[JayR]

I should specify - I mean for full frame sensors like the 6D.

The Rokinon/Samyang 8mm is designed for crop sensors - I have one for my Pentax and I see that theyve recently made a 12mm to suit full frame sensors.

The sigma 8-16 is a great lens but its rectilinear so not a fisheye (as well as being for the APS-C sensors)

 

[jdramirez]

I should specify - I mean for full frame sensors like the 6D.

The Rokinon/Samyang 8mm is designed for crop sensors - I have one for my Pentax and I see that theyve recently made a 12mm to suit full frame sensors.

The sigma 8-16 is a great lens but its rectilinear so not a fisheye (as well as being for the APS-C sensors)

I guess you are going to learn something new today. Rokinon 8mm works just fine and attaches just fine to full frame cameras. But it isn't 8... it is more like 8.5, so the complete circle image isn't, rather it is semi-circular on the body. I prefered how it looked on my crop sensor 60D, but it does work on a full frame.

As for the sigma 8-16... turns out you are right. I just started... and I could have sworn someone I had a conversation with raved about their sigma fisheye... maybe it was a prime they were talking about.

 

[Lee Jay]

I've only compared two - Tokina 10-17 and Sigma 15mm. The Tokina is pretty good but suffers from some CA and field curvature. The Sigma is, to me, like an L prime. It's just excellent. I did have to send it to Sigma because of a decentering issue but they fixed it promptly and perfectly.

 

[MJB]

I have the Canon EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye, although I have not compared to anything else it is a great lens. In saying that I seldom use it as it is for very specific purposes. If you have the spare cash it is a fantastic lens to add to your collection.

 

[e17paul]

I have the Canon 15/2.8 and its a favourite, even though there are limited opportunities to make good use of it. Colour and IQ generally is good, AF is old fashioned AFD but that really doesn't matter at this focal length.

It lacks the option of 8mm circular fisheye given by the replacement 8-15 zoom. There are plenty around with little or no use second hand.

 

[rs]

The Images created by the Canon scream 'fisheye', while the Samyang looks much more natural. I could imagine getting away with the effect for much longer before sickness sets in with the Samyang.

Unfortunately the two lenses don't have similar test shots for an easy comparison, but here are lenstip reviews of both:

http://www.lenstip.com/422.12-Lens_review-Samyang_12_mm_f_2.8_ED_AS_NCS_Fish-eye_Sample_shots.html
http://www.lenstip.com/311.1-Lens_review-Canon_EF_8-15_mm_f_4_L_Fisheye_USM_Introduction.html