Canon 15 f/2.8 Fisheye

[Abel]

Review: Canon 15 f/2.8 Fisheye

I originally bought the Canon 15 f/2.8 Fisheye lens back in 2008 and sold it about a year later in 2009 along with a bunch of other lenses. At the time my lens "collection" had just grown too large and it was getting cumbersome to travel with all of my gear so I liquidated a lot of them. Fast forward to 2010 when I started shooting concerts again then I found myself really missing the fisheye lens. I finally broke down and bought another one and have vowed not to let this one go under any circumstances. Lol.


Features:

• f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Ultra-wide 180-degree angle of view
• Minimum focusing distance of 8 inches
• Built-in filter holder accommodates up to 3 gel filters at once
• Built-in lens hood

Specifications:

• Construction: 7 groups / 8 elements
• Angle of view: 180°
• F stop range: 2.8 - 22
• Closest Focusing Distance: 0.2m / 0.7 ft.
• Maximum Magnification: 1:7.1
• Filter Size: Rear Gel Holder (accepts up to 3 pre-cut gel filters)
• Dimensions (Length x Diameter): 2.9" x 2.4" / 73.0 x 62.2mm
• Weight: 11.6 oz. / 330g

Summary:

Photographers usually have mixed feelings about this lens. Some love it and some can't stand it. It is definitely a different lens but when used correctly it can be a get lens to have in your arsenal. I use this lens on a full frame Canon 5dmkII Body and it yields a 180° angle of view which is just about as wide as you would ever want to go! I remember using this lens on my 1.6x crop body and thought it was really wide back then. No comparison when it's on a full frame camera.

When shooting concerts I'm right up against the stage with the crowd barrier about 3 feet behind me so the space I have to work with is VERY limited. One of the main reasons I bought this lens (a second time!) was so that I could get some nice wide angle stage shots with all of the members in the frame as well as to get some wide angle crowd shots. I also own a Canon 17-40 f4L lens but the angle of view on that lens just doesn't match up to the Fisheye's specs.

Function:

The focus on this lens is a little slower and is a bit louder than most Canon lenses but the results I get from the lens makes those items irrelevant. But they are worth being mentioned if you're not aware of them. The built in metal lens hood on this lens is nice and helps protect the front element as it protrudes out past the rim edge of the lens body. The hood also serves as a mounting spot for the aluminum lens cap to slide over.

The one gripe that I really have against this lens is the lens cap fitment. When new, then lens cap fits the lens nice and securely. As time goes on the cap gets looser and looser causing it to fall off of the lens very easily and can possible damage the lens' front element while stored in a camera bag. This is something that is problematic with ALL copies of this lens. My easy fix was adding a small piece of black gaffer's tape to the side of the lens cap which overlaps onto the body of the lens. This tape keeps the cap on and keeps the front element protected. Problem solved.

The lens itself is less than 3" long which makes it very easy to carry as it fits my travel kit nicely (Reference my Crumpler Bag Review HERE). I am sure that most every photographer will have some room for this little guy in there bag someplace.


My Sample Photos:

Canon EOS-5D Mark II : Canon EF 15 Fisheye : 0.8? : f/5.6 : 1000 ISO : 15mm : Aperture Priority : +1/3 Bias : No Flash
View from Empire State Building - New York City, NY - April 2010



Canon EOS-1D Mark IIN : Canon EF 15 f/2.8 Fisheye : 1/200th : f/5 : 800 ISO : 15mm : Manual Mode : 0 Bias : No Flash
Houston Astros - Houston, TX - September 2006



Canon EOS-1D Mark IIN : Canon EF 15 f/2.8 Fisheye : 1/640th : f/2.8 : 800 ISO : 15mm : Manual Mode : 0 Bias : No Flash
Houston Rockets - Houston, TX - February 2007



Canon EOS-5D Mark II : Canon EF 15 Fisheye : 1/125th : f/9 : 100 ISO : 15mm : Aperture Priority : +1 1/3 Bias : No Flash
Brooklyn Bridge - New York City, NY - April 2010

The Verdict:

In short, I highly recommend this lens as it is one of my favorites. I know this lens may not be for everyone and that’s completely understandable. I just know that for me, some of my most favorite photographs I have taken while at concerts and/or on vacation have come from this lens. The kicker is that this lens is the least expensive lens in my bag! It can be had for under $800 which is a great price in my opinion. You will not be disappointed with this lens.


Where To Buy:

Find the lowest price on this lens from our sponsored Affiliates listed below:

[groovyone]

You should add a link in the review that points to the photos in the samples galleries.

Canon EF 15 f/2.8 Fisheye

[Abel]

Originally Posted by groovyone

You should add a link in the review that points to the photos in the samples galleries.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...8-fisheye.html

Great Idea!! Thanks! I'll add it as well!

[Fireball]

Great review Abel. Thanks for sharing the details. It's another one to add to my growing list of photo gear.

[darktiger]

I am trying to decide between this or the 8-15mm L fisheye... I wonder if this lens will be good for my HK trip...

[Abel]

Originally Posted by darktiger

I am trying to decide between this or the 8-15mm L fisheye... I wonder if this lens will be good for my HK trip...

well I like the fact that the new Canon lens has L quality glass but I'm not sure I'm liking the f/4 as I use mine quite a bit in concerts where light is valuable. Also... I'm not to crazy about the full spherical look when shooting at 8mm. I think I'll probably keep my 15 f/2.8 and not worry about upgrading. This current fisheye is 1 full stop faster at f/2.8 but costs less than half as much, $650 as compared to the $1400 price tag of the Canon 8-15 f/4L Fisheye.

[John Afdem]

Fun, fun, fun lens. I picked one of these up about six months ago and I've had a blast with it. I normally shoot with super-tele's and keeping this lens in the bag has really been a gas!

[Abel]

Originally Posted by John Afdem

Fun, fun, fun lens. I picked one of these up about six months ago and I've had a blast with it. I normally shoot with super-tele's and keeping this lens in the bag has really been a gas!

and because its so small it pretty hrd not to have room for it in your bag! definitely one of my favs... I'm never selling it!