Professional photographers may avoid fisheye lens due to their extreme distortion. Many people dislike ultra-wide-angle photos, even with the best fish eye lenses. It’s useful for photography that requires greater coverage than ordinary wide-angle lenses can provide. This is why a canon fisheye lens is a good idea.
Using a fisheye lens opens many options, whether an amateur seeking to create unique perspective photos or an expert photographer looking to extend your viewpoints.
Our fish eye lens provides circular and diagonal distortion effects, enhancing the Canon DSLR camera’s high resolution.
The difference between a wide-angle and a canon fisheye lens
If you have a broad-angle lens, you can capture a vast scene in the frame. Due to its short focal length, you can capture the entirety of the surrounding area in one frame.
A fisheye lens further expands this by compressing more than the entire scene into one image. This is a trade-off for distortion that causes the edges to move backwards as the glass curvatures.
For instance, when you use the Canon fisheye lens, it is possible to expect straight lines of horizon lines to be bent. If you use a flat horizon, it will appear similar to the curvature of the Earth.
Diagonal versus circular Fisheye
Before we move on to the fish eye lens selection process, a crucial difference is the name of the effect that results.
The diagonal angle of a fisheye creates 180-degree fields of view in a rectangular image. A circular canon fisheye lens generates an image that is 180 degrees circular. The circular fisheye lens records an area smaller in the center of the frame. However, the diagonal lens captures larger areas but has more distortion on the edges of the frame. Both lenses are frequently employed in videography and photography to capture wide-angle views. However, their decision depends on the desired image’s style and feel.
Top 8 best fisheye lenses in 2023
You can take stunning photos for fun or take up real estate or architecture photography. These are the most effective canon fisheye lens to give you the desired ultra-wide angle effects.
1. Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
Specifications
- Focal Length: 8 to 15mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/4
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Lens Mount: Canon EF
- Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
- Angle of View: 180° to 175° 30′
- Minimum Focus Distance: 5.91″ / 15 cm
- Maximum Magnification: 0.34x
- Optical Design: 14 Elements in 11 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size: Gel Filter (Rear)
- It has a diameter of: 3.09″ and a length of: 3.27″ (78.5 x 83 mm).
- Length when fully extended: 3.39″ (86 mm)
- Weight: 1.19 lb / 540 g
Pros
- Best Fisheye for Canon DSLRs
- Great image quality
- Solid all-round performance
Cons
- Versatility lost on APS-C sensors
With the shortest focal length of this 8mm canon fisheye lens, the lens functions in a circle fisheye for a Canon SLR with a full-frame sensor. You can zoom this fisheye lens to the 15mm spectrum range; it transforms into an angle fisheye that offers a wide viewing angle and plenty of distortion on the barrel. This is common to lenses with curving edges.
It’s simple to get used to since it’s similar to having two lenses that are Fisheye inside one. Since the lens’s front bulbous element is visible and is equipped with a two-stage cap. If the lens’s focal length is set to 15 mm in length, the barrel of the cap can be used as a hood for the lens. However, it would be best to take off the cap using a shorter focal length when you wish to shoot.
2. Canon 8-15mm f/4 Fisheye
specifications
- Focal length range: 8-15mm
- Maximum aperture: f/4
- Designed for full-frame Canon DSLRs
- It can also be used on APS-C cameras with a reduced field of view
- 180-degree diagonal angle of view
- This canon fisheye lens has circular fisheye image
- Built-in hood
- Minimum focusing distance: 9.8 inches
- Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for rapid and silent autofocus
- Optically constructed with 14 elements in 11 groups
- One aspherical element and one UD element
- 72mm filter size
- Weight: 1.2 pounds (550g)
Pros:
- This canon fish eye lens is Dust- and moisture-proofed.
- Fast, quiet Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for precise autofocus
- High-resolution images
Cons:
- This fisheye lens is Expensive, limiting photographers’ access.
- Not all photography suits the circular fisheye effect.
This 180-degree canon fisheye lens made by Canon works with Full-frame and APSC Canon DSLRs. It is designed for full-frame cameras and provides an image with a 180-degree circular angle and a high-end lens which is extremely well-built.
3. Samyang Fisheye 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS
specifications
- Focal length: 12mm
- Maximum aperture: f/2.8
- Designed for full-frame cameras
- It can also be used on APS-C cameras with a reduced field of view
- 180-degree diagonal angle of view
- Circular fisheye image
- Minimum focusing distance: 7.9 inches
- Built-in petal-type lens hood
- ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element for improved image quality
- NCS (nanocrystal coating system) for increased light transmission and reduced ghosting and flare
- This canon fisheye lens has Manual focus with a smooth, well-damped focus ring
- Constructed with 12 elements in 10 groups
- Aluminium alloy housing
- Available in Canon, Nikon, sony E, Fujifilm X, micro four thirds and Pentax K mounts
- 77mm filter size
- Weight: 14.11 oz (400g)
Pros
- Tough aluminium barrel
- Detachable hood
- Good resistance to ghosting and flare
Cons
- Only the Nikon version has electronics
- This fisheye camera lens is Not weather-sealed
The Samyang 12mm f/2.8 canon fisheye lens is a well-known third-party brand and inexpensive. It can be used on Canon DSLR cameras (or mirrorless when using the converter).
This fisheye lens is manual, which means it’s not equipped with autofocus. If you are trying to decide if this is the best choice for you, consider this.
Particularly when you’re an underwater photographer and the camera’s housing doesn’t allow you to use the focus ring of your lens, It won’t work for you. On both crop and full-frame sensor cameras, it is an angle fisheye lens diagonally.
4. 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 Mark II
Specifications
- Focal Length: 7.50 millimetres (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 15mm)
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
- The angle of View: 190°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 5.9″ / 15 cm
- Optical Design: 11 Elements in 9 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 7
- Focus Type: Manual Focus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size: None
- Weight: 9.3 oz / 265 g
Pros:
- This canon fisheye lens is Comparatively cheap.
- 180-degree field of view
- Good image quality
- Compact and lightweight
Cons:
- It may not be as durable as more expensive lenses
- It might not be as sharp as pricier lenses.
- This fish eye lens has no autofocus
Who said a new lens has to be costly? This canon fisheye lens with a diagonal can be purchased reasonably, yet it offers the same amazing fisheye effect as higher-end optics. What is the draw? As expected, This fisheye lens is completely manual, so manual focusing and settings for exposure are necessary since there is no electrical contact to transmit exposure metering information.
However, this isn’t necessarily a major issue since the depth of field at smaller focal lengths makes manual focus a breeze. The diagonal fisheye field of view is optimized to work with APS-C or Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, offering a precise angle of view comparable to a 10mm full-frame fisheye lens.
5. Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye
specifications
- Focal length: 8mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5
- Designed for full-frame cameras
- It can also be used on APS-C cameras with a reduced field of view
- 180-degree diagonal angle of view
- Circular fisheye image
- Minimum focusing distance: 7.9 inches
- Built-in petal-type lens hood
- Manual focus with a smooth, well-damped focus ring
- This canon fisheye lens is Constructed with eight elements in 7 groups
- HD (high-definition) coating for improved image quality
- Available in Canon, Nikon, sony E, sony A, Pentax K, Samsung NX and m4/3 mounts
- 82mm filter size
- Weight: 14.11 oz (400g)
PROS
- Aperture Ring
- Distance Scale
- Hood supplied
- Extreme Wide-angle capability
CONS
- No Weather Sealing
- No Autofocus
- Not too quick for a brief Prime Lens
This canon fisheye lens can be used with Canon cameras with full-frame and crop-sensor sensors. A camera equipped with an all-frame sensor, such as this Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 lens, creates the appearance of a circle using black backgrounds. This fisheye lens offers a 167-degree view and covers the entire frame of a cropped sensor.
The lens hood can be detached, which makes it a great alternative for underwater photographers that employ underwater housing.
This lens only supports manual focusing.
6. Meike 8mm f/3.5
specifications
- Focal Length: 8mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/3.5
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Lens Mount: Canon EF
- Lens Format: Coverage Full-Frame
- Minimum Focus Distance: Not Specified by Manufacturer
- Optical Design: 11 Elements in 8 Groups
- Focus Type: Manual Focus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size: None
- It has a diameter of: 3.03″ and a length of: 3.31″ (or 77 x 84 mm) in inches.
- Weight: 1.14 lb / 519 g
Pros
- Impressive sharpness
- This canon fisheye lens has No tendency to flare
- Low CA levels
- Low price
- Creative possibilities
Cons
- Badly fitting lens hood
- Very difficult to focus manually
Third-party lenses are a great option for photographers with budgets to expand their collection of lenses. The most excellent fisheye lens is also the cheapest one. Meike’s eight-millimetre f/3.5 lens has a multilayer nano coating that will help you reduce the flare and hazy light, which is a frequent complaint with ultra-wide-angle lenses.
This canon fisheye lens does not have autofocus and image stabilization, like many other low-cost fish eye lenses produced by third-party producers. But, considering the price, it’s not a major disadvantage.
7. Canon EF-S 10-22 mm DSLR Lens
specifications
- Focal length range: 10-22mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5-4.5
- Designed for APS-C Canon DSLRs
- Ultra-wide angle zoom lens
- The angle of view: 102° – 63°
- Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for quick and silent autofocus
- Minimum focusing distance: 9.5 inches
- Image stabilization: No
- Constructed with 15 elements in 10 groups
- Two aspherical elements and three UD elements
- Rotating zoom ring for easy control
- 77mm filter size
- Weight: 1.06 pounds (485g)
Pros:
- The wide-angle zoom range is intriguing.
- Sharp and high-quality image output
- This canon fisheye lens is Dust- and moisture-proofed.
Cons:
- Overpriced.
- No lens hood.
- APS-C-only compatibility.
- EF-S lenses’ faint cyan tint.
- Center-to-edge inhomogeneity.
The Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed to work with APS-C DSLRs. It features a focal length of 10-22mm, which gives an approximate field of view that ranges from 100 to 63°. It features a quick and quiet Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for rapid and precise autofocus. It is weather-proofed to shield against moisture and dust, making this canon fisheye lens a durable and reliable lens suitable for use by professionals.
8. Sigma Circular Fisheye 8mm f/3.5 EX DG
Specifications
- Focal Length: 8mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/3.5
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Lens Mount: Nikon F
- Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
- The angle of View: 180°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 5.3″ / 13.46 cm
- Maximum Magnification: 0.22x
- Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:4.6
- Optical Design: 11 Elements in 6 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 6
- Types of Focus: Autofocus (with Nikon Cameras That Have an Autofocus Motor)
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size: Gel Filter (Rear)
- A diameter of 2.89 inches and a length of 2.7 inches (73.5 x 68.6 mm) are the dimensions.
- Weight: 14.1 oz / 400 g
PROS
- A unique view of the world
- The price is pretty fair for an AF fisheye
- When close to the subject, the central sharpness is very good.
CONS
- If you’re not used to a 180o field of view, it’s hard to use.
- Pretty significant chromatic aberration around the entire image
As a ‘DG’ lens by Sigma, this canon fisheye lens is made for full-frame sensors but also works with APS-C format sensors. Contrary to the Samyang 12mm f/2.8 EAS NCS fisheye lens canon, the Sigma is circular and has greater viewing angles. It also has autofocus and aperture control options for Canon or Nikon mounts.
The Nikon-compatible model is, however, without the built-in motor for focusing and relies on a screw drive mechanism from an in-body drive motor. Most Nikon full-frame SLRs come with the AF drive motor, so this shouldn’t be an issue. Even at the edge of the picture, there is a minimal amount of colour fringing, and the image’s sharpness is great across the entire frame.
Is a Canon fisheye lens worth Buying?
A fisheye lens for canon is a great purchase if you want to take pictures of landscapes or water landscapes uniquely and originally. Since these fish eye lenses tend to be smaller and more compact, you can easily put them into your luggage to capture creative and unique photos on excursions. Do you plan to shoot photos at weddings or for portraits using fisheye lenses? It’s improbable. Fisheye lenses might not be suitable for you in this particular situation.
But using their lens to create a variety of vistas can be quite a blast for landscape, travel architecture, underwater, and landscape photographers. Better still? If you’re in the categories that allow fisheyes, then fisheye lenses are generally priced, which makes them a valuable addition to your toolkit.
Verdict
A fisheye lens isn’t usually the most popular lens for a camera bag. Therefore, certain cheaper alternatives are good and allow you to test the distinct style first.
But if you’re seriously considering purchasing a Canon fisheye lens and have goals for your art, the best option is to consider the first-party model with autofocus.
