Used Canon EF 8-15mm f/4.0L USM Wide Fisheye Zoom Lens

2022-02-12T19:00:00

I had been trying to find the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye lens for several months (apparently sold out everywhere. Eventually, I stumbled upon this one available through Canon's refurbished site. As far as I can tell, mine is in fine condition. I have been using it for about 5 weeks now and am beginning to understand a bit more about how to best use it. I use it on my R5 with the EF adapter and at 8mm it provides a full circle image. I have learned that you need to watch out that you don't include your own feet or shadow in the frame. I have noticed a blue fringe around the extreme edge of the photo and have also noticed some flare (even extending outside the circle when the sun is at the outside edge of the lens. When working with the circular image in post processing, I crop to 1x1 with post-crop vignetting (changing the outer black area to white and shrinking the circle just enough to cover the blue fringe). Also in post processing, make sure you don't enable lens profile correction as that may straighten the image and ruin the circle.

Dave P.

Originally posted at

2021-12-15T08:01:52

Good lens in the right application

MIKE W.

2021-04-21T20:00:00

This lens offers a unique perspective and is priced fairly well for an L lens. Auto focus struggles a bit when using it on my R5 with EF to RF adapter.

Lightvalve

Originally posted at

2021-02-15T12:07:13

Fun lens, does great wide angle. I use it for my wide angle underwater photogrpahy.

VALERIE S.

2020-07-31T10:42:44

I have not used it that much but when I need it I am never disappointed whether on my full frame or my cropped body. It is just so fun to use and even though there are several s/w products out there that claim to be able to simulate a fisheye lense - none come anywhere close.

MARK S.

2020-07-10T11:39:03

Another great from the L line. If you'e looking for sharp virtual tours, this is your lens. Canon never disappoints!

SARAH W.

2020-06-22T11:42:03

supreme lens

Hai T.

2019-08-28T05:37:02

Nice lens, and the variable focal length comes in handy when looking for something a little wider. Glass ND filters can be purchased to fit in the rear slot, too, which is an extra bonus.

JOHN J.

2018-08-18T20:00:00

I already had a fisheye lens that did not go down to 8mm. So, I looked at this lens and decided to get it. I am very pleased with it's performance and the circular image at 8mm is a fantastic extra that I didn't anticipate. As always, the quality is impeccable.

garyc44

Originally posted at

2017-09-24T09:53:08

I have only taken it out once, but I have to say I love the photos I got with it

Alfonso R.

2017-07-11T12:51:40

I love this lens, for being f/4 it's tack sharp, took this lens out to the Bonneville Salt Flats and shot some milky way shots at f/4 and it preformed so well! Beyond my expectations! Great lens to carry around.

Anthony W.

2017-03-16T14:14:25

Fish-eye lenses are a great tool, although not something one uses every day. The concept of a fish eye zoom, that goes from true fish-eye (on a full frame camera) to extreme wide angle was very appealing. It does what it says - it is good quality glass - but I have been disappointed with the amount of blue fringing at the fish-eye end of the range, and at the 15mm end there is more barrel distortion than on Canon's 16-35mm F2.8L II wide zoom when shot at 16 mm. If you really need the fish-eye and ultra-wide features, by all means get it. If you only shoot fish-eye on rare occasions, get a cheaper fixed focal length fish-eye.

Robert W.

2017-01-10T08:55:28

I was waiting to buy this lens a while ago, which I don't use it quite often, but when i do, i go... WOW! The distortion doesn't bother me if you know how to compose. I strongly recommend it!

Ray C.

2016-12-24T19:14:37

Fabulous lens. Crystal clear, adds a real creative touch to your kit!

ELIZABETH D.

2016-10-27T19:13:14

Like the title says, what a blast this lens is. I shoot churches, inside, this is perfectlens for that I couldn't ask for a better, sharp, lens.

THOMAS S.

2016-10-13T13:54:43

This is an excellent lens. The pictures are very sharp. The creative possibilities are endless.

Addison S.

2016-10-11T08:11:06

I am extremely pleased even though I am using a 7D Mark II body. Great coverage.

ROBERT D.

2016-10-07T14:56:26

I used this lens with a Canon 5D (full frame) and Canon 7D (cropped). What I wanted this lens for is just to get some very wide scenic shots on vacation, such as the Grand Canyon. Although I did own a very small photo business in the past with one commercial client, I still do not consider myself a semi-pro or pro. I guess if you get paid, you're a professional...well that's what I've been told anyway. PROS: This L lens is very well built. A typical high quality Canon L series. It was easy to focus and the lens hood and lens cover were easy to use and well built too. Shots were incredibly wide at 8mm. CONS: You have to be careful because the lens really sticks out there. No filters obviously. I ended up returning the lens and getting the Canon 14mm f/1.2L, which is not a fisheye lens. It was obvious that this lens is very specialized and not really what I was looking for.

MARK M.

2016-03-23T18:13:03

I bought this lens *specifically* to shoot circular fisheye photos and stitch them into 360° views. On a whim I decided to take the lens on vacation to DC. I got some of my best photos with this lens. At first I thought I'd hate the distorted appearance of a non-equirectangular lens, but while processing photos afterward, I felt like the wide-angle shots incorporated more of the scene, and made the photos seem more engaging. It works great for cities, where I like to capture entire skyscrapers. Or selfies, in front of said tall buildings. All in all, I'm glad I purchased this lens. Expensive, yes... But there's more to do with this lens than you might initially imagine.

Kenneth S.

2016-02-25T07:46:03

Very sharp lense, and light weight. Very easy process when shopping with adorama. I recommend both.

ALEJANDRO D.

2015-04-03T21:00:00

I have used this lens for interior shots mostly but also for inclusive group shots outdoors. It does a great job even in low light conditions. What I don't like is that it vignettes heavily with a full-frame camera. This means that of the 8-15 mm zoom range I actually can use only about few mm of that range at most. That was a big disappointment and might have led to purchase of a different lens if I had fully appreciated the extent of the limitation. I have no complaint about the quality including the lens cap which I have read others really dislike. But, clearly the lens was not designed around full-frame cameras. To be fair, Canon's lens description does mention the field of view limitation, but I think they could be more forthcoming about its impact even to the point of suggesting consideration of a different lens. Frankly, a short focal length prime lens would probably be more satisfying to use and with barely noticeable loss of functionality.

MANNING B.

2014-10-12T20:00:00

The other day, I went out on a photo shoot to exercise my new Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens. This lens produces circular 180º fisheye images with full-frame cameras at 8mm, and diagonal 180º fisheye images at 15mm. With APS-C and other crop-frame cameras, the lens produces 180º fisheye images only. Using it on my Canon EOS 5D Mark III–a full-frame camera–I am able to get both fully circular as well as diagonal 180º fisheye images. I have been able to capture landscapes in an entirely new way, adding a great new dimension to my work. The sharpness is excellent for this kind of lens and, although the cap tends to come off a lot, the results are amazing!

Mikey

Originally posted at

2014-09-14T21:00:00

I use this for all my event photography. I usually don't go below 14mm and when I do is for extreme dramatic concert crowd shots. The lens is very sharp. The only thing about it is that bothers me a bit is delicate convex. I wish it could be more protected at times.

CESAR A.

2014-08-10T21:00:00

I wanted to find an ultra-wide lens for taking pictures of small rooms. The 14mm is awesome but sometimes not wide enough. Setting this 8-15mm at about 12mm then clicking the de-fish button in Photoshop gives ultra-wide. Not sure if my picture uploads will work so here are a couple links http://julianalee.com/homes/2014/hopkins_ave_1321/downstairs-living-room-a.jpg http://julianalee.com/homes/2014/hopkins_ave_1321/downstairs-living-room-b.jpg

Jeff K.

2014-01-22T19:00:00

Since I've started using this lens about two weeks ago, I haven't switched it with my other L lens. I just love using it! It allows lots of creativity of a ultra wide angle lens. It's sharp at almost every f number.

MICHAEL W.

2013-12-25T19:00:00

great lens, just got it today and haven't put it down for a second. I am still wondering how to shoot in the circular fisheye mode that is shown in the second sample image section, would really like to know--why i bought the lens!!

Anonymous

Originally posted at

2013-11-05T19:00:00

I recently went to Philadelphia for a day trip. My business partner had never been to Philly, so we went. We were at the Liberty Bell exhibit. I had photographs of The Bell, so I was standing off to the side watching her and a mutual friend photographing The Bell with the other tourists. I saw the park ranger standing on his little, padded floor mat. I walked up to him and said, "I know what the answer is, but I'll ask my question any way. I have a fisheye lens and was wondering if I could lay under The Liberty Bell and take a picture?" He said, "Yes, go ahead." I was taken aback. I yelled for my partner to help change my lens to the 8-15mm L lens and quickly get ready, I didn't want him to change his mind. So, I ducked under the display perimeter and crawled to The Bell. Once I got close I laid onto my back and pushed myself directly, centered under the striker of The Bell. Using my 5D Mark III in Live View, I focused the camera on the striker. The front of the lens was a mere inch away. I took three pictures of The Bell at 8mm. I crawled back out from underneath The Bell and walked back over to the side. I moved quickly so I didn't over stay my welcome. The Park Ranger wanted to see the photograph so I showed him. It was a once in a life time opportunity and I was so happy to have the right equipment and knowledge to get the shoot. I always want to be prepared and Canon allows me to be prepared. The downside to the story is, no one took my picture taking the picture! I had the picture ready to post, but there is no way to upload! Dang, its a great shoot.

kmmills

Originally posted at

2013-11-04T19:00:00

I recently went to Philadelphia for a day trip. My business partner had never been to Philly, so we went. We were at the Liberty Bell exhibit. I had photographs of The Bell, so I was standing off to the side watching her and a mutual friend photographing The Bell with the other tourists. I saw the park ranger standing on his little, padded floor mat. I walked up to him and said, "I know what the answer is, but I'll ask my question any way. I have a fisheye lens and was wondering if I could lay under The Liberty Bell and take a picture?" He said, "Yes, go ahead." I was taken aback. I yelled for my partner to help change my lens to the 8-15mm L lens and quickly get ready, I didn't want him to change his mind. So, I ducked under the display perimeter and crawled to The Bell. Once I got close I laid onto my back and pushed myself directly, centered under the striker of The Bell. Using my 5D Mark III in Live View, I focused the camera on the striker. The front of the lens was a mere inch away. I took three pictures of The Bell at 8mm. I crawled back out from underneath The Bell and walked back over to the side. I moved quickly so I didn't over stay my welcome. The Park Ranger wanted to see the photograph so I showed him. It was a once in a life time opportunity and I was so happy to have the right equipment and knowledge to get the shoot. I always want to be prepared and Canon allows me to be prepared. The downside to the story is, no one took my picture taking the picture!

KEVIN M.

2013-10-14T21:00:00

Fantastic clarity and sharpness on my full frame Canon 5D mark III. Its equally share and fast at 8 mm as it is at 15 mm.

jazzer

2013-04-02T21:00:00

This is very good glass (L) with great imagery. When using crop sensor, keep in mind that this is really only a 12.8mm, when set at 8mm. Though the image quality is quite good, keep in mind that you can pick up an inexpensive fisheye from Samyang at 1/4th the cost, if you can live with manual focus (8mm f/3.5). Samyang produces a quality fisheye, which I also own. Just beware the re-branders (Rokinon and others). Samyang is an actual manufacturer. I would have given Canon lens 5* rating but the larger f-stop and the much higher cost hold me back.

LOU B.