Olympus Zuiko 8mm f/3.5 E-ED Digital Fish-Eye Lens for E Series DSLRs - (Four Thirds System)

2012-05-07T21:00:00

Extremely sharp lens, very well built and produces fantastic images

ROGER R.

2012-04-05T21:00:00

This is a nice piece of glass, everything you would expect from an Olympus High Grade Lens. The optics are very good, and the build is excellent. It is priced in the same range as most of the big named competition and probably better built. An important part of the value of this kind of lens lies with the Olympus software that allows the fisheye effect to be adjusted up or down. This adds to the versatility and value of a fisheye lens. This lens for me is about priorities more than anything else.First, if you are a hobbyist such as I am you have to make some choices. If you have the 12-60mm or the 14-54mm, 50-200mm and 50mm macro, you are pretty much good to go for most situations. I would recommend putting your money in these three lenses before considering a fisheye. I like to use my fisheye in canyons, so it serves some purpose for me. So, while the Olympus 8mm fisheye certainly adds some capability, but I view this addition as more of a want than a need (hard to say a lens is a need, but you get the idea). The buyer needs to weigh thee additional costs with the benefits--you are dropping [$] for a lens that will sit in the bag 95 percent of the time. My 12-60mm is my most used lens. I am glad I put my money into this lens instead of the 14-54mm.Second, is the issue of value. The problem with this lens, as with other named brand fisheye from Canon, Sony and Nikon is the return for each dollar spent. For example, the Rokinon Fisheye Rokinon 8 mm f/3.5 Lens for Olympus Cameras or Opteka 6.5mm f/3.5 offer alternatives which are priced at less than ($) or about 36 percent of the asking price for the Olympus lens. The reviews of the Rokinon lens suggest that its optics are pretty good. The Rokinon does not feature autofocus and is not weather sealed but this has to be balanced with how much you plan to use the lens. There were a number of discussions of this very topic among Olympus users on the DPReview site. A lot of users like the Rokinon lens.I picked up my Olympus used from Adorama which cut the price differential between the Rokinon by about ($). No issues about quality or service when dealing with this company. The lens was rated D and the lens I received was exactly as described. I am glad I spent the extra bucks, but I weighed the Rokinon options carefully before making a choice. A used Olympus was worth the difference to me, but a new Olympus 8mm at [$]was not. Adorama delivered the right lens at the right price.

CRAIG M.

2011-10-11T21:00:00

Bought this used - its in great shape, glass is really clean.

JIM S.

2011-02-19T19:00:00

Played with a cheaper fisheye for awhile but didn't care for the effects. This lens gives full fisheye pics that are top notch. Another great oly lens that is fun. I've only had it for a couple of weeks but can't wait to take it on vacation in 3 weeks. I think this will be great for pics in the mountains especially some panoramic shots. I'll be doing a wedding in a few weeks and want to see what kind of effects we can get with this lens in a crowded room and church.

Noel B.

2009-07-26T21:00:00

Not for everyone but it will make some very unique images.

bsphoto

2008-12-28T19:00:00

Not an everyday lens but a very fun lens to have.

JEFFREY A.

2008-09-23T21:00:00

Used for special,different artistic perspective.Not outrageouse distortion. Very useful happy additional visual tool.

Marty