The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens delivers 180° diagonal angle of view images for all EOS SLR cameras with imaging formats ranging from full-frame to APS-C. When the lens is used with full-frame cameras you can choose between a circular fisheye image or full-frame image by using the zoom.
When used with EOS bodies featuring APS-C or APS-H sensors, the lens produces a more traditional, full frame fisheye view. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens body allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full-frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. 'C' and 'H' markings can be found next to the zoom operation ring, indicating the wide-angle zoom position where vignette-free shooting is possible with either sensor. For filmmakers and photographers who want the look and feel only possible with extreme wide angle and fisheye photography, the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is a world-class choice.
With its Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM), and Floating Focus System the lens offers fast auto focus even down to a close 6.2" (0.16 m). The lens features UD glass for suppression of chromatic aberration, a Subwavelength coating for reduced ghosting, a Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum, has full-time manual focus for instant switching from AF to Manual operation, and is built to the standards of the amazing Canon L-series of lenses. The rear gel holder holds up to 3 pre-cut filters. This means the finest optics, the best construction and the best performance available, all in a lens designed to stimulate creativity and deliver stunning images every time.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 8 - 15 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/4 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 180° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 6.2" (15.75 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.39x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:2.56 |
| Groups/Elements | 11/14 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread |
None
1
Please Note:Rear Gel Holder (accepts up to 3 pre-cut gel filters) close |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.1 x 3.7" (7.87 x 9.40 cm) |
| Weight | 1.19 lb (540 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
Super-wide, Super-Fun
Most of my photos are shot during my almost daily nature walks. They are mainly of wildlife, plants, and landscapes. Occasionally, humans or pets wander into the frame. Up to now, my...Read complete review
Most of my photos are shot during my almost daily nature walks. They are mainly of wildlife, plants, and landscapes. Occasionally, humans or pets wander into the frame. Up to now, my go-to lens has been my Canon 100-400mm zoom, mainly to get little birds in distant trees, or big birds on the opposite side of the pond.
I thought a long time before buying this Canon 8-15mm zoom. I wanted a lens to give me truly wide-angle shots with my APS-C sensored Canon 7D. The specifications of this lens and the reputation of the L-series Canon lenses won me over.
This fisheye is just plain fun to use. It renews all sorts of creative energy in me and adds new excitement to my field trips. The lens is very simple to use and only a few basic concepts are necessary to use it to it's fullest. I have the flexibility of making curvy, artsy photos, or more conventional rectangular shots. Post-editing the curvy shots through Adobe Photoshop CS6, I can optionally remove most of the distortion and produce a conventional, rectangular shot with straight edges and a unique perspective at 8mm.
I use the lens without the lens hood, always. In between shooting spots, I put the lens hood and lens cap back on the front for protection while walking. Yes, the lens-cap-to-lens-hood fit is a bit loose. If it ever gets really annoying, I'll just bond the two together with glue. Putting the pair on, and taking them off as a unit, is a fast, simple, quarter-twist operation.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good optics
Very good optics, but there is a great deal of chromatic aberration, especially at 8 mm, around the edge of the image area, which is obviously due to the circular image against the ...Read complete review
Very good optics, but there is a great deal of chromatic aberration, especially at 8 mm, around the edge of the image area, which is obviously due to the circular image against the black edges.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 144 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
Lens is fantastic....the clarity is great and even using the 60D you get a very good fisheye result. B&H delivered it quickly (free shipping). Absolutely no complaints. If your thinking about getting a fisheye this one is well worth the price.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
I got this as part of the Google Trusted Photographer program (360x180 panoramas). It was either this or the Sigma 8mm Fisheye. These are already such limited-use lenses, so I just went for the one with more features. Take note: the lens cap attaches only to the lens hood. Some say it's a loose connection, but it seems fine to me. The low "price-to-usefulness" ratio is what takes this down a notch, but whenever you DO use this lens, you'll be having a lot of fun, no doubt. For casual use, not recommended. However, if you know you need/want a fisheye specifically, grab this one.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
I bought this lens for creative landscapes and nature photography and love it. For a specialty lens, however, quite expensive. By being able to remove the hood and spoon a bit, more possibilities are open then with a straight fisheye.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
5 stars is an understatement for this lens ! The cost of the lens is sooooooo worth the price.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
This is a terrific lens to use in confined spaces or when you want to dramatize a backdrop. It has great application for indoor and outdoor photography and one is only limited by their imagination.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
This fish eye lens requires experience to use it right. You have to be careful about the horizon else the effects can be quite warped. On a Canon 5D mark iii, the usable range is 14 or 15 mm with the hood on. Below that focal length, the hood can be seen. Of course, if using the 8 mm, you will get a full circle but this may not be desirable.As with any fish eye, there is chromatic abberation on the edges. But this if fixable in CS6 especially if shooting raw. The absolutely terrible part of this lens is the cap. Most of the time, you will be walking without the cap. If you put the cap on, you will lose it in no time. So don't even think about it. If you can live with the above limitation, the optical quality of this lens is very good. And it is a fun lens to use.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
Lens is great.
Lens cap that is very poor and cheap design by CANON, because every single time loose it self
when take out from lens bag.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
I debated for quite a while over whether to buy this lens or an older 15mm fisheye or skip this focal range entirely. I have always wanted a fisheye but when trying to justify the lens for "real world" jobs, I just couldn't see it. I believe I was a bit off-base as I have pulled this lens out of the bag way more than I thought I would these first couple of months. It is well suited for action sports, bands and concerts...it's just, I don't shoot much of that. I have however, pulled it out for some of my industrial shoots, a medical shoot and an amusement park. On my full frame body, it gives the circle image which can be fun but really not usable for most professional clients. On my cropped bodies, I still get the fisheye or the really wide angle and on the 7D, it shoots so much faster than the 1Ds that it works well for action. Having the zoom aspect for an uber wide lens is helpful and getting the fisheye look on both FF bodies and cropped bodies is great! The lens is much sharper than I anticipated. I generally don't worry that much about CA and such as I'm a shooter, not a tester of equipment. A lot of that can be fixed without much of a problem and a lot of that doesn't affect real world usage. The lens hood thing that people complain about, yeah, it's not perfect but it is not as bad as others make it seem. I own a lot of glass and I didn't think I'd pull this lens out more than once a month but I have been mistaken. It is definitely a specialty lens and you don't want to overuse the look but it does have applications over just being a "fun wacky" lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
The lens is a typical well built "L" Canon red line lens. So, that said you know the rest about the build quality. But, on the first lens I bought, I had to return to B&H because it had a large "rock" down deep inside of the huge front element. B&H, being as good as they are, exchanged it for another copy that is flawless.
The lens cap is nearly useless so care must be taken.
It will hold small gel filters on the back but who uses filters anymore? It is impossible to put anything on the front.
The surprise came when I used it on my 7D. Lets face it, how many 180 degree fish eye photos do you want? But on the 7D it is a very wide angle lens and produces stunning photos.
On my 5D Mk II and my 7D this lens has become one of my favorite fun to use lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
I use this lens for those occasions where I want to capture fun, such as a recent bridal shower dinner that was held in a large room. I was able to cover the entire room for some shots, and fun moments where people were having interesting discussion on others.
I also took the lens on a trip to the Grand Canyon. Used it along with the 24-105 to cover more area, or to capture fun shots of interesting canyons in different perspectives.
The one thing I was particularly impressed with was the sharpness of the lens.
Highly recommend keeping the lens hood on at all times to protect the glass. It is too easy to bump the lens itself and scratch it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
This lens is a lot of fun. The minute you use it once all you'll want to do with it is make 180 fisheyes - especially fun on my FS700 with super slo-mo.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
It's super wide. 180 degree, circular view. I'm very happy with it. The lens shade stays on well, but the lens cap, that goes over the shade doesn't stay on too well.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
lenes is a great litle len, just wish they have abetter idea on how to keep the cap on it
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
Greatest lens from Canon, good price, best service from B&H Co.
I own a off brand 4.5mm F2.8 lens, not sharp at all when I compare to this lens. I sold the lens and got this very sharp lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
Never had so many positive comments. Wonderful!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
Optics seem quite a bit better than the 15mm fisheye I have
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
A very sharp lens...You cant go wrong with an L series glass..My only complain is the Lens cap that falls off very easily,have to be careful on the front lens from scrath and bumps..
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
I have a closet full of L lenses. I would rate most of them a five and none lower than a four. Why am I rating this wonderful lens a three. A terrible, very terrible, lens cover. It will not stay on.Since I am using this lens on a full size sensor, I have taped the lens cap to the lens hood. Lose the lens cap, and it will cost you $ for a new one!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
Great lens for landscape or close space. Use on 7D the effect,compared to my 10-22, is great. Some chromatic aberration but it is easily handled in post processing. Beware not to over use.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens:
This is a great lens for landscapes, but I find it loads of fun for weddings, too. Maximum aperture just isn't a problem with my camera's high ISO and low noise. As others have commented, the lens hood and cap are a bit clunky, but this is still well worth the price.