Help with FE choices

I just let go of my 10-22 as I wasn't using it much, However it was a GREAT lens.

I been feeling the want of a FE. The distortion seems like a lot of fun. However, more recently I noticed quite a few FEs out on the market. how do they rank in general?

I was originally looking at the tokina 10-17 as it's a one of a kind "zoom-Fish eye" also the price is very appealing! But there are other options. What do you all think? Any specific recommendations? I will be using a 7D with no plan to go full frame anytime soon.

Im down to the tokina as mentioned above, and the Samyang 8mm f3.5. Will one of these experience more flare than the other? I guess that's my only concern as both have good reviews on other areas.

Canon and Sigma's 15 FE are both great lenses.

plasticmotif wrote in post #10111839
Canon and Sigma's 15 FE are both great lenses.

These are much better on full-frame though.

plasticmotif wrote in post #10111839
Canon and Sigma's 15 FE are both great lenses.

They are only moderately fishy though on a 7D and about as wide as a 12mm lens. So not terribly wide compared to the "real" crop fisheye options.


IMO, the 10-17 is a cool option because at 17mm you can have pretty much just a wide angle with some barrel distortion and at 10mm you can have all that crazy super-fisheye effect. Sigma 10mm is a great option and is a bit sharper and goes to f2.8, but then you lose out on the zoom. The Samyang 8mm fisheye is a great low-price option, but it is manual focus only (probably not a big deal as most everything will always be in focus) and it is manual aperture and AV/M mode only as well. It also isn't really an 8mm as it provides the same FOV as the AF 10mm fisheye options.

When shopping FE options for APS-C, your first question should be "do I need AF?" if you answered No, then look at the MC Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Circular Fisheye or the Samyang 8mm f/3.5 Aspherical (or any of its clones, I like my Vivitar 7mm f/3.5 version). Either can be had for under $350 and are incredibly sharp and capable for the money.

If you truly feel you need AF, if your're looking to use it wide-open and need to track subjects (such as is the case when using an FE for action sports like skateboarding) then look at the Sigma 4.5mm DC, Sigma 8mm DG, or Sigma 10mm DC. The Toki 10-17 is a wonderful lens but the Sigmas have HSM and focus lightning quick. So, if action isn't the main use... look at the Toki for its versatility. (BTW, the Toki 10-17 isn't one of a kind... It's actually a re-engineered lens based on the not-well-known SMC Pentax AF 17-28 f/3.5-4.5 Fisheye Zoom reworked for APS-C - I've been looking for one of these for a while now)

Thanks everyone,
Alan, you have sent me off the deep end making the decision more difficult

Still leaning toward the 10-17 because of it's versatility as mentioned by tkbslc. AF as mentioned, is not a necessity. If it is, usually the subject will be static, so I will be able to MF. The choices!

I may make a run down to the store and try it out and compare with another...Hold them decide. But I feel the 10-17 maybe it.

Well I had the Tokina and it's quite awesome. I never really zoomed with it though. If you do the distortion goes away A LOT unless you are still close to the object you're shooting like this.

Thanks Aravena, I guess I will test drive the idea of having a FE by getting the 10-17. AFTER that, I will make the ultimate decision on buying a dedicated FE as recommended (Sigma 10 1.8)

Since they're roughly the same price, $100 diff, might want to consider it off hand. The sigma will still hold value but still...I knew I was selling mine. I sold my Sigma 10-20 to try the 10-17 for a couple of months and for some weddings. I didn't get to use it as much after the summer and that's when I found a deal on a 11-16 and got that over another Sigma 10-20.

Now I want the Sigma 8-16! and a 10F2.8 as my FE. I knew my lineup would only be Sigma! :lol They just keep coming out with the best stuff!

Well when I head out to our local shop (currently in Tokyo). I will be able to get my hands on both. Maybe once I hold it, I may have a different opinion.

True dat! Tokyo...lucky.

the sigma 10mm FE f/2.8 is a great FE choice for a crop sensor.