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Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£200Lens mount:Canon EF, Nikon FMaximum focal length:8 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):3.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:180 °

Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

5.4

Overall score

Score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

80%

5.0

Technical score

20%

7.4

User score

â–¼Worse than 93% of camera-lenses
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

35%

3.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.2

Build & Handling

20%

6.2

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 92% of camera-lenses
7.4

User score

User score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

Based on 53 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 90% of camera-lenses
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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components:

35%

3.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.2

Build & Handling

20%

6.2

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.0
User score
User score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

Based on 53 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.4
Popularity
Popularity
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Popularity:
Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II has a popularity score of 5.3 points, which is lower than 73.3% of camera lenses.
5.3
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

60%

5.4

Overall score

40%

9.5

Price

6.7
Lens type
fisheye
Lens mount
Canon EF, Nikon F
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
N/A
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
8 mm
Maximum focal length
8 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
180 °
Minimum angle of view
180 °
Show more
Focus motor
N/A
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
â–² Better than 48% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.3 m, which is closer than 48.3% of camera lenses and equal to 7.9% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.135xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.135x
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.135x, which is lower than 71.7% of camera lenses and equal to 4% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
no
Full-time manual focus
no
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Manual-focus-only lens.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
470 g
Weight
470 g
â–² Better than 55% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 470 g, which is lighter than 54.8% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.2% of camera lenses.
Lens length
75.1 mm
Lens length
75.1 mm
â–² Better than 67% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 75.1 mm long, which is shorter than 67.5% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
75 mm
Lens diameter
75 mm
â–² Better than 55% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 75 mm, which is slimmer than 55% of camera lenses and equal to that of 1.6% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
    De-clicked aperture ring.
  • Has de-clickable aperture ring
    De-clickable aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    This camera lens has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.3% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
    De-clickable aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 17.15 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    75.1 mm
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (75.1 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    75.1 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 2.65x cheaper
    Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II is cheaper than the average camera lens (£200 vs £530).
    £200 vs £530
  • 40 g lighter
    Weight
    470 g
    â–² Better than 55% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (470 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    470 g vs 510 g
  • 2.65x cheaper
    Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II is cheaper than the average camera lens (£200 vs £530).
    £200 vs £530
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
    De-clicked aperture ring.
  • Has de-clickable aperture ring
    De-clickable aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    This camera lens has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.3% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
    De-clickable aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 17.15 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    75.1 mm
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (75.1 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    75.1 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 40 g lighter
    Weight
    470 g
    â–² Better than 55% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (470 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    470 g vs 510 g
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 3 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    6
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (6 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    6 vs 9
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Manual-focus-only lens.
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    6 straight blades.
  • 1 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    3.8
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/3.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    3.8 vs 2.8
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 0.06 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.135 x
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.135 x vs 0.192 x
  • 13.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II
    the average camera lens
    Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.37 vs 8.360).
    7.37 vs 8.36
  • 36.9% less popular
    Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II is less popular than the average camera lens (5.32 vs 7.3).
    5.32 vs 7.29
  • 3 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    6
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (6 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    6 vs 9
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    6 straight blades.
  • 1 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    3.8
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/3.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    3.8 vs 2.8
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Manual-focus-only lens.
  • 0.06 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.135 x
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.135 x vs 0.192 x
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2012
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2012 vs 2016

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

E
ephotozine.com
11/08/2012
Summary of the review
Samyang 8mm T3.8 Asph IF MC Fisheye CS VDSLR Review
R
radojuva.com
28/07/2015
Summary of the review
Review of the Samyang 8mm f/3.5 UMC Fish-Eye CS II Aspherical Lens for Nikon
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 53 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II

  • Extremely compact, solid, and robust build quality
  • Detachable lens hood (DH) allows for better versatility, particularly on full-frame cameras
  • VDSLR gearing on aperture and focus rings makes it ideal for video production
  • Excellent value for money, providing a budget-friendly cine lens option
  • Very good image quality, especially when stopped down
  • Available for a wide range of camera mounts

What we don't like about Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II

  • Completely manual focus and manual aperture control (no electronic contacts)
  • Stepless aperture ring can be adjusted accidentally, causing exposure issues
  • Not optimized for stills photography due to the video-centric design
  • Extremely wide angle can be difficult to use effectively

Verdict

The Samyang 8mm T3.8 VDSLR UMC Fish-eye CS II is an ultra-wide manual cine lens designed for APS-C sensors, featuring a 180° diagonal angle of view and an optical construction of 10 elements in 7 groups, including one hybrid aspherical element and Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC). Optimized for cinematography, it includes uncoupled, clickless aperture and focus gear rings with a 0.8 pitch for follow-focus systems, a T3.8 to T22 aperture range, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m. Main pros include its durable aluminum alloy build, excellent central sharpness when stopped down, and exceptional value for professional video work at its price point. However, it lacks autofocus and electronic communication with the camera, and it may experience a loss of contrast or murky image quality when used wide open at T3.8.

Compare Samyang 8mm T3 8 VDSLR UMC Fisheye CS II with other products in the Camera lenses category

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