Canon EF 15mm F2.8 Fisheye Review
General information
This is a prime lens manufactured by Canon and the lens was released 1987.
The lens belongs to the category
wide angle prime lenses, a wide angle lens where you do not have the possibility to zoom in and out.
Worth thinking about is that the lens has a Fisheye-character which give the images an extreme wide but curved 'barrel' look which may require some post processing in your image editing software. Though, the lens offers you as a photographer the widest of wide angle views..
It's been a long time since the lens and this model first was launched. Before you buy an older (and perhaps used and pre owned) lens a recommendation is to check with the manufacturer and their service centers whether there still are spare parts available. Hopefully spare parts wont be an issue but imagine accidently damaging the lens and finding out afterwards that no spare parts exists. We therefore recommend that you, to be sure, check this prior to purchasing.
If you buy a new lens, in a store, you always have your warranty to fall back on, regardless of the age of the lens but if you are interested in buying a pre owned and used lens without warranty this may be even more important to look up because you might otherwise be left without both warranty and spare parts.
Product description from Canon
At launch 1987 Canon wrote this regarding Canon EF 15mm F2.8 Fisheye :
"A full-frame fisheye lens with 180° diagonal angle of view. Unlike other AF (autofocusing) SLR lenses, close auto focusing is possible to a distance of 0.2m, enabling the creation of powerful images using the exaggerated near-far relationship and pan-focus effects characteristic of a fisheye lens. Despite being a fisheye lens, straight lines running through the center remain undistorted. The AF is driven by an AFD (Arc-Form Drive). This lens uses rear drop-in type gelatin filters, up to 3 filters at the same time."
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
This lens is constructed to fit all models of Canon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.
The ability to use autofocus is available for all cameras.
The lens has a focal length of 15 mm. Depending on which camera the lens is used, the experienced and perceived focal length will be different. Please visit the list of compatible cameras below, it will provide the equivalent focal length you get on each camera.
- See compatible cameras and perceived/equivalent focal length
- See a full camera compatibility chart for Canon EF 15mm F2.8 Fisheye
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/2,8.
This aperture value indicates that the lens is very bright. This will make it so much easier shooting in darker environments where you do not want or can use flash lighting, for example in churches or at different sports venues.
The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds. Since the lens is bright, with good aperture value, the lack of image stabilization might not be that big of a deal, although a image stabilizer is always an advantage to have.
Filter and Lens Hood
This lens does not support the use of filters which is slightly negative. To have the option to use filters, for their optic purpose or as protection, would have been nice but no.
Most lenses have the lens hood as an accessory, something that you mount on the lens seperately, but this lens has a lens hood as a fixed part of the lens.
Images of Canon EF 15mm F2.8 Fisheye
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
Things to consider before buying
Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.
- The lens brightness, f/2,8
- Works on all sensor types
- A lens hood is included (solid construction)
- Light weight (330 gr)
- Might have a limited use
- Not possible to use filters
- The lens model is more than 15 years old
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Canon EF 15mm F2.8 Fisheye .
| Build Quality |
 
|
| Image Quality |
|
| Autofocus |
|
| Sharpness |
|
| Versatility |
|
| Value |
|
| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
Best deals on Canon EF 15mm F2.8 Fisheye
Make sure to check out our price information page for best offers on this lens.