Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF II Zoom Fisheye Evaluation: Sharp However Area of interest

I don’t actually like fisheye lenses. I’ve by no means discovered a lot use for them and to find the surreal glance of the pictures to be of restricted application. However that doesn’t imply that I gained’t soar on the likelihood to present a brand new one a check out.

Laowa indubitably has launched a novel $699 fisheye lens this time: the 8-15mm zoom is made in particular for mirrorless cameras in Z-mount, E-mount, RF-mount, and L-mount. I determined to shoot the Calgary Stampede competition, higher referred to as the best outside display on Earth, with the brand new optic on a Canon R5 Mark II. I figured that the surreal nature of our biggest outside fairground can be preferrred for the surreal symbol making of the brand new Laowa. Even higher, this new lens covers full-frame sensors. Neatly, it type of does.

Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF II Zoom Fisheye Evaluation: How It Feels

The Laowa covers all of the full-frame sensor of a digital camera when capturing on the 15mm mark, even supposing you’ll be able to see somewhat of the lens barrel when targeted nearer than infinity. As you zoom wider, you’ll be able to see increasingly more of the round gentle circle, till you achieve 8mm and get a round symbol in your oblong sensor. That is lovely commonplace on a round fisheye lens, and the 8mm body does fill the full-frame sensor from best to backside. I had a good time capturing each extremes of the focal vary, particularly taking into account that the 8mm vary covers a 180-degree perspective.

A Laowa camera lens with a blue accent ring is lying on its side on a grid-patterned surface, next to a detached lens cap. The background is black. — The bulbous entrance of this lens permits for a 180-degree box of view.

A camera lens resting on its side on a gray grid-patterned surface, with its rear glass and metal mount facing forward. A detached lens cap lies nearby. The background is black. — There’s no electric connection to the digital camera, which means that no EXIF information or autofocus.

Close-up of a Laowa FF II 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye camera lens against a black background, showing the lens markings and blue accent ring near the top. — Laowa lenses are normally distinctive, however all the time amusing.

The lens itself is so easy to hold round because it weighs best 23 oz (650 grams). It’s solidly constructed out of steel, with an excessively smooth-turning guide focusing ring and aperture. You will need to word that this lens does now not have any weather-sealing and in addition does now not have any communique with the digital camera frame. I do know that it is not uncommon for distinctive third-party optics like this to lack any electric connectivity, however I nonetheless to find it very inconvenient. There’s no lens hood because of the sticking out entrance component, however there’s a rugged steel duvet to stay the glass secure. This lens can best be targeted manually, however given the large intensity of box that an ultra-wide lens supplies, I used to be ready to easily focal point within the tough zone that I need and depend on a average aperture to verify sharp focal point.

A Laowa FF II 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye camera lens stands upright on a gray cutting mat with a grid pattern. — The guide focal point and zoom rings are solidly constructed, and the whole thing feels neatly machined.

A camera lens and its detached black lens cap labeled — Lately, this lens is to be had for 4 primary mirrorless full-frame lens mounts.

I don’t regularly use fisheye lenses, but if I do, I make a selection Laowa.

People walk through a busy fairground, with a ferris wheel and colorful stalls on each side. Above, teal cable cars with passengers ride across a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

A man in a red shirt, white cowboy hat, and reflective sunglasses stands outdoors at a fair, with food stands, flags, and people in the background under a sunny, blue sky with scattered clouds.

A lively scene at a fairground with crowds walking, a large

Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF II Zoom Fisheye Evaluation: How It Shoots

Bokeh isn’t one thing you can most often fear about on a fisheye zoom lens, however the Laowa can focal point lovely shut at simply over six inches from an issue. This permits for some cushy backgrounds when capturing portraits or close-up photographs. The bokeh has somewhat of harshness to it, with a quite sturdy cleaning soap bubble impact taking place round specular highlights. Those will also be distracting, however as mentioned, it’s uncommon that this will probably be a subject.

A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a blue shirt with orange dots and headphones around his neck, crouches in front of a large pink glittery letter — Bokeh will also be harsh and odd-looking. Happily, it isn’t regularly a significant factor within the symbol.

A bright yellow tipi with black and white painted designs stands on grass under a blue sky, with other colorful tipis visible in the background.

People ride a colorful swing carousel at an amusement park, with seats flying outward as the ride spins. The sky is clear and blue, adding to the lively, festive atmosphere.

The Laowa did a tight process of resisting flare problems, then again, the effects actually rely on the place the sunshine supply is. If one thing just like the solar is within the body, the flare may be very minor. Distinction is robust, and ghosting is minimum. Alternatively, put the solar within the middle and also you get concentric rings within the body, put it out of doors the body and you’ll be able to get a cone of flare this is very distracting. Sunstars aren’t very dramatic both, however the lens remains to be amusing to shoot in maximum lights. Truthfully, I discovered myself in search of one of the vital extra dramatic flare effects with the intention to upload some persona to the shot.

Two side-by-side photos of a wooden utility pole taken with a wide-angle lens. The left image shows more distortion and a brighter sky at f/2.8, while the right image is less distorted and shows a sunburst at f/11. — Flare is definitely managed in maximum scenarios, nevertheless it relies closely on the place the sunshine is coming from.

A fisheye lens photo of a modern outdoor sculpture made of blue circular shapes, with sunlight shining through and people walking nearby. Surrounding buildings and a blue sky with clouds are visible. Rainbow lens flares encircle the image. — Now and again you’ll be able to get some funky concentric rings when capturing the broader levels of the lens.

A fisheye lens photo shows a large, blue circular metal sculpture with multiple holes, set outdoors near buildings. The sun shines through the center, creating a bright spot and lens flare in a clear blue sky. — Sunstars are lovely reasonable, however you’ll be able to have amusing with them on the edges of the body.

Sharpness is way more spectacular than I anticipated out of this lens. Within the middle, the lens is relatively sharp, even at f/2.8. There may be numerous distinction and element to head round, however the corners are any other tale. Reasonably off-center topics will begin to move blurry at f/2.8. Preventing the lens right down to f/5.6 is helping in a large approach, and I discovered myself capturing with tight apertures with the intention to maximize sharpness around the body. That being stated, maximum fisheye photographs will naturally position the topic within the middle of the body, so luckily shoot at f/2.8 if that is so.

Side-by-side comparison of two identical camera test charts featuring color bars, grayscale patterns, Canadian currency, concentric resolution circles, and text reading “15mm @ f/2.8” at the bottom. — Middle sharpness is superb without reference to the aperture you employ.

Two sections of a photo compare sharpness at 15mm focal length, one at f/2.8 and one at f/5.6. Both sides show maple leaves, a Canadian $2 bill, and a resolution test chart. The f/5.6 side appears sharper. — Anything else out of doors of the central portion wishes a stopped-down aperture for just right effects.

View from inside a circular structure with an orange canopy and geometric patterns, featuring silhouettes of lizards. Light shines through the center, creating a bright focal point and radiating lines.

Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF II Zoom Fisheye Evaluation: Sharp however Area of interest

I had a good time with the Laowa fisheye zoom lens even supposing it isn’t my cup of tea. It does, then again, give a amusing and distinctive outlook at the global, and plenty of photographers will to find the effects captivating. Most significantly, there isn’t a lot selection to be had anyway. Each Nikon and Canon make fisheye zoom lenses, however those are older designs for his or her DSLR cameras. You’ll adapt them to a mirrorless digital camera, however they are going to value you more cash, particularly if the adapter is wanted too. Should you don’t want autofocusing and EXIF information, the Laowa 8-15mm may well be simply what you’re in search of. At $699, it’ll prevent somewhat bit of cash, and the optical effects are relatively respectable. If you wish to see the arena like a fish, and wish to zoom whilst you’re doing it, the Laowa 8-15mm makes essentially the most sense.

A man with a surprised expression leans toward a fisheye lens, hands raised, as another person stands behind him. The scene is outdoors near a large modern sculpture, with sunlight creating a starburst effect. — The 8mm finish provides a complete 180-degree box of view.

A bearded man wearing glasses and a wide-brimmed hat smiles at the camera. He is outdoors at a public event, with people and buildings in the background, photographed with a fisheye lens.

A fisheye lens captures a vibrant carnival scene with a tall swing ride at the center, people flying in chairs, blue sky above, and colorful booths and crowds circling the frame’s edge.

Are There Possible choices?

Now not actually. Rather than adapting an older — and costly — DSLR lens, there aren’t many choices for fisheye zoom lenses. If you’re happy with a primary lens, there are approach too many alternatives, however the wonderful thing about the Laowa is in its flexible zoom vary.