Canon Fisheye Lens Review: Capture Ultra-Wide Images – 3 Best lenses

In this comparison review, we’ll explore the 3 Best Canon fisheye lenses for traveling in 2023, perfect for capturing unique and stunning images during your adventures. These lenses have been carefully selected based on their performance, versatility, and portability, ensuring that they are well-suited for photographers on the go. 

The top contenders in this review include the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, the Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye, and the Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye. 

Throughout this review, we’ll delve into the key features, pros, and cons of each lens, enabling you to make an informed decision when choosing the ideal fisheye lens for your Canon camera during your travels in 2023.

Our Top-rated canon fisheye lens: Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM

The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is our top-rated fisheye lens for Canon users, offering an unrivaled combination of versatility, optical quality, and professional-grade construction. As a part of Canon’s prestigious L-series, this lens delivers top-notch performance, ensuring sharp and visually striking images across the entire zoom range. 

3 Best canon fisheye lenses for traveling in 2023 (Listed)

When putting together this guide to the best canon fisheye lenses for traveling, we conducted extensive research and testing to ensure we provided our readers with accurate and useful information. 

As part of this process, we tested various canon fisheye lenses to determine which ones were the most versatile, durable, and functional for travelers and photographers. Throughout this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top canon fisheye lenses that stood out in our testing and provide a detailed overview of each.

1. Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
2. Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye
3. Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye

Why do people use canon fisheye lenses?

Canon fisheye lenses are highly sought after by travel photographers for their unique ultra-wide-angle views and creative distortion. The striking effect produced by these lenses adds a dramatic touch to landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural photography, capturing more of a scene than a traditional lens. With a versatile camera system like the Canon R6, which offers excellent image quality and performance, pairing it with a fisheye lens can lead to exceptional results in various travel photography situations.

The fisheye effect on Canon lenses is achieved through their distinct optical design, capturing a hemispherical view and projecting it onto the camera sensor as a circular or diagonal image with barrel distortion. This distortion is an appealing creative choice for many photographers, as it can emphasize and exaggerate the scale and proportions of subjects. Fisheye lenses are worth considering for those who want to experiment with unconventional perspectives or capture expansive scenes that might otherwise be challenging to fit within a single frame. However, the distortion can also be a disadvantage for certain types of photography, such as portraiture or product shots, where a more accurate representation of the subject is desired.

When it comes to choosing the right fisheye lens, factors such as compatibility with your camera body, the desired field of view, and overall lens quality should be considered. For Canon R6 users, third-party lenses like the Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye and Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye (for DSLRs with adapters) provide a range of possibilities. By assessing your specific needs and preferences, you can find the perfect fisheye lens to enhance your travel photography experience.

What are the different types of canon fisheye lenses?

Canon fisheye lenses come in a variety of designs, each offering a unique perspective and level of distortion for photographers. These lenses are categorized into two main types: circular fisheye and diagonal fisheye. By understanding the differences between these types, photographers can choose the most suitable fisheye lens to achieve their desired creative effects in travel photography.

Circular fisheye lenses are designed to create a fully circular image within the frame, surrounded by black borders. These lenses typically have an extremely wide field of view, often 180 degrees or more. One notable example is the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, which offers a focal length range of 8-15mm. When used at 8mm on a full-frame camera, this lens produces a circular fisheye effect. The circular fisheye is perfect for creating artistic and abstract images, adding a unique and captivating touch to travel photography.

On the other hand, diagonal fisheye lenses create a distorted, ultra-wide image that fills the entire frame, with the distortion increasing towards the edges. The diagonal fisheye is particularly useful for capturing expansive scenes, such as landscapes and cityscapes, as well as tight interior spaces. The same Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens mentioned earlier, when used at 15mm on a full-frame camera, produces a diagonal fisheye effect. This versatile lens allows photographers to switch between circular and diagonal fisheye perspectives, making it an ideal choice for travel photography where varied compositions are often desired.

What is a good canon fisheye lens?

A good Canon fisheye lens is one that offers excellent optical performance, build quality, and versatility, allowing photographers to capture stunning images with creative distortion. The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM stands out as our favorite fisheye lens for Canon users, thanks to its unique focal length range, superb image quality, and the ability to switch between circular and diagonal fisheye effects.

The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is a part of Canon’s esteemed L-series lineup, known for its professional-grade build and top-notch optical performance. This lens features an ultra-wide zoom range, allowing photographers to experiment with different levels of distortion and perspectives. At 8mm on a full-frame camera, the lens produces a circular fisheye effect, while at 15mm, it creates a diagonal fisheye effect. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for travel photographers who want to explore a variety of compositions and creative approaches.

In addition to its versatility, the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM boasts impressive image quality, with sharpness across the frame and well-controlled chromatic aberrations and flare. The lens also features a fast and accurate Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) for autofocus, ensuring that subjects are always in sharp focus. With its professional build quality, weather-sealing, and compact size, this fisheye lens is a reliable and durable companion for photographers on the go, making it our top choice for those looking to capture unique and eye-catching images while traveling.

What to look for when buying a canon fisheye lens?

When shopping for a Canon fisheye lens, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you select the perfect option for your photography needs. These factors include the type of fisheye effect, compatibility with your camera, and the overall lens quality and features. By paying close attention to these aspects, you can confidently choose a fisheye lens that will help you capture stunning, creatively distorted images during your travels.

The first aspect to consider is the type of fisheye effect you want to achieve. As mentioned earlier, there are two main types of fisheye lenses: circular and diagonal. Circular fisheye lenses produce a fully circular image within the frame, while diagonal fisheye lenses create a distorted, ultra-wide image that fills the entire frame. Some lenses, like the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, offer the flexibility to switch between both effects, making them a versatile choice for photographers who want to experiment with different perspectives.

Another important factor is the compatibility with your camera. Canon offers fisheye lenses for both their DSLR (EF and EF-S mounts) and mirrorless (RF mount) systems. Ensure that the lens you choose is compatible with your camera’s mount or, if necessary, purchase an appropriate adapter, such as the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R for adapting EF and EF-S lenses to RF-mount cameras. Additionally, consider the overall lens quality and features, such as sharpness, autofocus performance, build quality, and weather-sealing. Lenses from Canon’s L-series, like the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, are known for their superior build and optical quality, making them a popular choice among professionals and enthusiasts alike.

When should you use a canon fisheye lens?

A Canon fisheye lens can be a powerful creative tool in a photographer’s arsenal, allowing them to capture unique and visually striking images. Fisheye lenses are particularly well-suited for certain types of photography and situations, such as landscapes, architecture, action sports, and creative experimentation.

Fisheye lenses excel in landscape photography due to their ultra-wide field of view, which can capture vast and panoramic scenes that would be impossible with a regular lens. The curved perspective and dramatic distortion add an artistic touch to landscape images, drawing viewers into the scene. Similarly, architectural photography can greatly benefit from the use of a fisheye lens. The lens can emphasize the lines and curves of buildings or interiors, creating dynamic and engaging images that showcase a location’s unique design features.

Action sports photography is another area where fisheye lenses shine. Their wide field of view and close focusing capabilities make them ideal for capturing fast-paced, high-energy action at close range. Skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding are just a few examples of sports where fisheye lenses can help create immersive and dynamic images that convey the excitement of the moment. Lastly, fisheye lenses are perfect for creative experimentation, as they provide a unique perspective that can inspire photographers to think outside the box and explore unconventional compositions.

What’s the Best canon fisheye lenses for traveling?

Best canon fisheye lenses	Price	Aperture
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM	$939,-	f/4
Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye	$1099,-	f/3.5
Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye	$499.00	f/2.8

Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM

The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is an exceptional fisheye lens that delivers unparalleled versatility and optical performance. As a member of Canon’s prestigious L-series lineup, this lens boasts professional-grade build quality and top-notch optics. Its unique zoom range allows photographers to experiment with both circular and diagonal fisheye effects, providing creative freedom for a wide variety of shooting scenarios. The lens’ ultra-wide field of view is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, dramatic architecture, and high-energy action sports while maintaining sharpness across the frame.

Autofocus performance is another standout feature of the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM. Equipped with a fast and accurate Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM), this lens ensures that subjects are always in sharp focus. Additionally, the lens’ weather-sealing and compact design make it a reliable companion for photographers on the go, whether they’re traveling or shooting in challenging environments.

Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye

The Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye is a well-regarded third-party lens designed for Canon EF-mount cameras, offering an affordable yet high-quality alternative to native Canon options. This lens is specifically designed to produce a circular fisheye effect, providing photographers with a unique and creative perspective for their images. With its 180-degree field of view, the Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, architecture, and action sports while maintaining solid image quality throughout the frame.

One of the key features of this lens is its f/3.5 maximum aperture, which allows for better low-light performance compared to some other fisheye lenses. The Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye also benefits from the brand’s high-quality build and attention to detail, ensuring a reliable and robust lens that can withstand the rigors of regular use.

Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye

The Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye is an impressive third-party lens for Canon EF-mount cameras that offers excellent value for money. Known for its sharp image quality and ultra-wide field of view, this diagonal fisheye lens is ideal for capturing stunning landscapes, architecture, and action sports. The fast f/2.8 maximum aperture ensures great low-light performance, allowing photographers to capture stunning images even in challenging lighting conditions.

One of the key aspects of the Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 is its fully manual focus and aperture control, which may appeal to photographers who prefer a hands-on approach. However, this might not be suitable for those who rely on autofocus in fast-paced situations.