Sigma 8mm F3 5 EX DG Circular Fisheye Review | 54 Data compared

The Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye is a compact, lightweight 180-degree lens delivering high optical resolution and excellent control over aberrations. It is praised as a high-class, well-built tool ideal for creating dramatic circular perspectives on full-frame or cropped sensors. Despite its strong performance, the lens is limited by its highly specialized, niche application and a high cost, making it less practical for casual use. The review suggests its utility is restricted to specific creative scenarios, limiting its everyday appeal.

The Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular is a specialized fisheye lens offering a full 180-degree field of view that produces a circular image within a rectangular frame. Key advantages include a fast f/3.5 aperture for its class, along with close-focus capabilities of just over 5 inches, which allows for highly creative, dramatic distortion in close-up subjects. Shutterbug.com Operational drawbacks noted in the review include extreme, often chaotic, edge distortion that lacks natural proportions and a high likelihood of capturing the photographer's feet if not positioned carefully. As a result, it is considered a niche, stylistic tool better suited for specialized, artistic photography rather than general-purpose imaging.

The review of the Sigma 8mm F3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye lens on AstroLenses.com highlights it as the top circular fisheye option for full-frame cameras. Physically, it accommodates Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sigma SA mounts. It features manual or auto focus, an f/3.5 to f/16 aperture range, and a rear gelatin filter slot. Astrophotography star tests indicate good overall image sharpness across the field. While the lens is usually shot wide open at f/3.5, stopping down to f/5.6 noticeably clears up corner coma and sharpens dimmer stars. The core pros of this lens include its full 180-degree circular coverage on a full-frame sensor and minimal star distortion overall. On the other hand, the key cons noted are its high price tag of $899 USD (as of December 2020) and a maximum focal ratio limited to a relatively slow f/3.5. Optically, a significant drawback is its lateral chromatic aberration. This aberration worsens toward the perimeter of the circular frame, where it splits the red and blue channels completely and creates a double-star appearance. Because of this, the reviewer advises that...

The Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye lens is a specialized tool offering a 180-degree field of view for dramatic creative perspectives on full-frame sensors. Key advantages include a sturdy build, a close 5.3-inch minimum focusing distance, and updated coatings that manage flare effectively. Conversely, the lens suffers from reduced sharpness towards the edges of the frame unless stopped down, significant image distortion, and substantial resolution loss when cropping the circular image, according to reviewers. Additionally, the bulbous front element lacks front filter threads and requires removing the adapter hood for maximum coverage. For a detailed review of this lens, visit TrueToad Review.

The Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye for Canon EF is a specialized, compact lens designed for full-frame cameras, delivering a distinct 180-degree circular image. It features 11 glass elements, including SLD glass for managing aberrations, and allows for extremely close focusing at 13.5 cm for dramatic perspective. Pros include its lightweight, compact design, great depth of field for panoramas, and excellent center sharpness, while cons include a slow f/3.5 aperture, lack of image stabilization, and an inability to use standard filters. YouTube · For the full, detailed review, visit CameraDecision.