Sigma EX fisheye lens - 15 mm F/2.8 > Reviews (1)

For a product that should be used sparingly for maximum impact, fisheye lenses do not come cheap. The moment I gained more than a passing interest in photography however, I knew I had to have one. The strange, otherworldly distortion that can be achieved with these lenses has always enthralled me, and I have had hours and hours of fun experimenting with this product.

The Sigma 15mm F2.8 DG is not particularly noteworthy in terms of appearance, with its black, conical body and built in hood. It has dimensions of 73.5mm x 65mm. Also included with the lens are two lens caps, a padded case, instruction manual and extended two year warranty for peace of mind.

Minimum shooting distance is 15cm, and the lens allows a large depth of field. This means that you can create unusual images of items close up, while also including much of the surrounding landscape. I use the Sigma 15mm F2.8 DG a lot for street scenes, focusing in on say, a weed growing out of the pavement, while simultaneously capturing the buildings and people surrounding it. It is ideal for composing quirky shots, and the distortion of image is such that using it on humans and animals is particularly effective. I rarely use the lens for landscapes, as I feel it is less successful in this area. Using the product on location where there is a myriad of various objects to involve is more satisfactory, in my experience.

The lens is auto focus, and the product is supplied with a gelatine filter holder, so you can use it with gelatine filters if you prefer. The lens comes equipped with seven diaphragm blades as well. The instruction manual provides a great deal of detail as to the internal structure of the lens and how its various components impact on the creation of images. It also provides suggestions as to how you might use the lens in situ.

This model is extremely versatile and a lot of fun to experiment with. The 180° distortion is ideal for creating comic and inventive images. The lens itself is delicate, so I would recommend removing it from its protective case only when absolutely necessary to avoid any unnecessary damage. This is a slightly more robust fisheye lens than some others I have handled, so if you are prone to accidents this model may be of more use to you than some others out there.