Sigma EX 15mm F2.8 DG Fisheye Review
General information
This is a prime lens manufactured by Sigma and the lens was released 2005.
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..
Product description from Sigma
At launch 2005 Sigma wrote this regarding Sigma EX 15mm F2.8 DG Fisheye :
"Sigma’s 15mm F2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye is a diagonal fisheye which means the distorted scene is shown full frame within the camera’s field of view. It allows photographers to shoot creative images by taking advantage of the acute perspectives that are invisible to the human eye. The diagonal fisheye is the most popular kind of fisheye and are often used by wedding photographers who want to give an “artistic” looks to images, by underwater photographers who want to take in the maximum field of view possible and by scenic photographers. A focusing distance of 5.9 inches and a magnification ratio of 1 to 3.8 allows the photographer to have fun with placement of subjects extremely near to the camera with distorted backgrounds. In the hands of an artist this lens can produce memorable, eye-catching images
Designed for use with full frame digital SLR cameras.
Produces striking images with exaggerated perspective of near subjects & extreme barrel distortion of the surrounding areas
Super Multi-Layer lens coating reduces flare & ghosting & assures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range
The minimum focusing distance of 5.9 inches & a magnification ratio of 1 to 3.8 allows subjects to be as close as ¾ of an inch from the lens’ front element.
Supplied with a gelatin filter holder at the rear for easy addition of color correction filters
A front cap adapter, front/rear lens cap and carrying case are included with the lens."
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
The lens is available for both Canon and Nikon cameras, but there are two different versions of this lens (one for each brand and mount) so it is important that you ask for and choose the right version when bying the lens.
This lens is constructed to fit all models of Canon and Nikon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.
Here it is the only Canon version of the lens that has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. The possibility to use autofocus (AF) is available for Nikon cameras but only if the camera itself has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. Some cheaper and budget camera models from Nikon lacks a built-in autofocus motor, and we at Lensora appreciate autofocus, so in the list of compatible cameras we have chosen to display only the cameras that you can get autofocus with.
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 Sigma EX 15mm F2.8 DG Fisheye
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
- Read more about the autofocus motor and the importance of this part
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
If you want to use filters on this lens the slot-in filters would be the ones to use.
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.
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 (370 gr)
- No built-in autofocus motor (the Nikon version)
- Might have a limited use
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Sigma EX 15mm F2.8 DG Fisheye .
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| Autofocus |
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| Value |
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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