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Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM fisheye zoom lensA collection of information and reviews for Canon's new EF lensAn all new zoom fisheye lens August 2011 - We have a lens... We now have a review of using this lens, covering performance and the use of additional software to process images. In the UK, Keith bought our new lens from Park Cameras - EF8-15
A new Fisheye zoom
This replacement for the EF 15mm F2.8 fisheye will produce circular images with a 180 degree angle of view when used at its widest setting on a 1Ds/5D type camera.
The images cover the full sensor area at 15mm. It also incorporates marks at intermediate zoom positions denoting the widest settings which can be used on APS-C and APS-H format cameras to give full frame images without vignetting. The lens features weatherproof construction, including water-repellant Fluorine coating on the front and rear elements, and Canon's 'Sub-Wavelength Structure Coating' to minimize flare and ghosting. Updated 8-15mm Information2011 August
June 13th CPN article about latest EF lens advances. In the text (page 2) is a suggestion that the EF8-15 Fisheye won't be available until the Autumn. May 26th Canon UK tells us that 'late July' should see deliveries of the 8-15mm, whilst I see a suggested price from the US of $1400 April 20th We're told that there are still no firm UK delivery dates for this lens, although the next month or so is suggested elsewhere [CR] March 25th Canon in Japan announces a new delay (Google xlt] after the Japanese earthquake. February 10th The following features have appeared in DPP... Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software provides high speed, high quality processing of lossless RAW images. Processing with Digital Photo Professional allows real-time display and immediate application of image adjustments, giving control over RAW image variables such as white balance, dynamic range, exposure compensation, noise reduction and colour tone – plus the ability to view Auto Focus points on an image and apply un-sharp mask sharpening. The Lens Aberration correction tool allows precise correction of different types of distortion caused by certain lenses. Newly added is a set of distortion corrections for use with the EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye. These corrections allow you to produce fisheye images for different uses.
UnboxingNot a good sign... (why I never use Citylink in the UK)
Fortunately well packed ... from Park Cameras in the UK Printer is an Epson R3000 that I'm currently writing up a review of.
What you get
Compared to the old EF15mm f/2.8
Note the lens hood, which will vignette on my 1Ds3 at less than 15mm. You can detach it for wider settings.
I'll have more examples in a full review. One quick comparison from the corner of the frame. The photo was taken with a 1Ds3 merely swapping the two fisheye lenses. I'll be experimenting with aspects of lens correction, but contrast and sharpness do look better. I should point out though, that the 15mm always struck me as an excellent lens. Processed 'as-is' in Photoshop CS5 ACR. Manual adjustment of the Chromatic aberration settings was easily able to fix the slight coloured fringing in both lenses. Whoops - mistakenly labelled as f/4 - the original lens is f/2.8
Looking at the slight change in coverage I'd say that the 15mm prime is a fraction of a mm shorter in actual focal length than the 8-15 Lens information
> indicates updated info
A very interesting lens that will have to be very good to beat the existing 15/2.8L, which as a lens I regularly use, I know is extremely resistant to flare.
Specifications
EF8-15 Coverage
MTF charts
Press Info (UK)London, UK, 26 August 2010 – Canon today unveils the world’s first fisheye zoom lens offering both circular and full frame images, thanks to an extreme wide-angle focal range of 8-15mm. Replacing the EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, the new EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is the latest addition to Canon’s L-series range of professional lenses, providing outstanding image quality, constant aperture throughout the zoom range and a robust design for reliable shooting in challenging weather conditions. When paired with Canon’s full-frame DSLR bodies, such as the EOS 5D Mark II or the EOS -1Ds Mark III, professional photographers can choose to capture circular or full-frame fisheye images, allowing them to view a scene in a completely new and unique way. This new level of choice provides enhanced creative flexibility when shooting scenes such as the night sky, where the full 180º horizontal and vertical fields of view (FOV) allow every detail to be captured with incredible clarity in one single image. When used with EOS bodies featuring APS-C or APS-H sensors, the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM produces a more traditional, full frame fisheye view. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens body allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full-frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. ‘C’ and ‘H’ markings can be found next to the zoom operation ring, indicating the wide-angle zoom position where vignette-free shooting is possible with either sensor, allowing photographers to achieve optimum results with any EOS body. Advanced optics for professional imaging Ghosting and flare caused by strong light sources can be a particular challenge when shooting at such a wide angle, and, in order to counteract these artefacts, all lens elements have been covered with Canon’s Super Spectra Coating. The inner surface of the front element also features Canon’s SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC), which uses tiny cone-like structures, shorter than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of the lens element, to gradually slow light down until it is at the same speed as it travels through glass, removing the risk of flare occurring before the light reaches the sensor. To maintain optimum image quality, the front and rear lens elements also feature a Fluorine Coating which actively repels water, dust and dirt, making it easier to clean the lens and leaving it unobstructed by particles. Fast, accurate focusing and low light performance A ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM), provides quick and accurate focusing when shooting and enables a full-time manual focus functionality allowing photographers to adjust the focus of any shot, even when the AF system is activated, for even greater control over image capture and improved creative flexibility.
High quality accessories Right --> Lens with hood [Photo credit DCWatch] Press Info USACanon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens is expected to be available in January of 2011 for an approximate retail price of $1,400. More Canon info"For filmmakers and photographers who want the look and feel only possible with extreme wide angle and fisheye photography, the new Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is a world-class choice. With its unique focal length range, the EF 8-15mm f/4L USM is the world's widest fisheye zoom lens. It delivers 180° diagonal angle of view images for all EOS SLR cameras with imaging formats ranging from full-frame to APS-C, and provides 180° circular fisheye images for full-frame EOS models. It features UD glass for suppression of chromatic aberration, a Subwavelength coating for reduced ghosting, a newly developed Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum, has full-time manual focus for instant switching from AF to Manual operation, and is built to the standards of the amazing Canon L-series of lenses. This means the finest optics, the best construction and the best performance available, all in a lens designed to stimulate creativity and deliver stunning images every time." The old EF 15 f/2.8
I regularly use this lens, sometimes partially 'correcting' image with DxO Optics pro or the very useful Fish-eye-hemi plugin. An example de-fished shot from a Hotel brochure. The railings at either side are actually at 90 degrees - we're at the corner of a building.
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Canon has announced the EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM, the world's first fisheye zoom lens to offer both 'circular' and 'full frame' images.
There is also a lock on the lens that will restrict its zoom range to frame filling settings on a crop camera.
Built for professional performance
A very useful lens, and particularly resistant to flare.
![DCWatch]](http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/dcw/docs/389/589/html/020.jpg.html){kind=link}