Fish soup

The walimex pro 8 mm f / 3.5 Fish-Eye II is yes, according to Article Description (as of October 2012) "suitable for full frame cameras." This may relate to the problem-free attachment to the camera body (in my case Canon), but the image circle is for full-format cameras, depending on the definition either too small (no circular image section of a circular fisheye) or too large for a full frame fisheye (significant vignetting). This fact was aware of though, but the product description derives a little astray. In fact, the lens for full frame cameras is therefore somewhere between the classical Image Areas. I can only recommend to anyone to test shots of this lens to look at the Internet.

At one Cropkamera the Walimex is an extremely powerful wide-angle with corresponding distortion of a fisheye lens. Both aperture and the focus must be adjusted manually, a transfer of the EXIF ​​data is done.

I ordered the lens for spherical panoramas on a full frame camera, since the prospect of an almost complete spherical panorama with only 4 shots to shoot. This works quite well if you have mastered the Panorama software to be used, but this is not child's play with spherical panoramas. Further fields of application for the full-frame I do not see in person.

In an Internet posting (it seemed to me a reputable source to be) I've read that the optical power of the lens is very good and at a high level. That was in addition to the removable hood and the new design with a red ring (a rogue who evil thinks this) another reason for ordering the lens. Unfortunately, I can attest to the Walimex not a very good imaging performance. The pictures are a bit muddy and the focus is (also at f 8 or 11) for my taste not sufficient. I am well aware of the fisheye lenses are always "difficult" of the imaging performance ago and also this lens is no exception.

My hope for a very good price / performance ratio was not met. Ultimately, it runs - as so often - to the realization that you get what you pay for the. The Walimex in version II is just a cheap fisheye lens, what is my opinion on full-frame cameras can only be used for spherical panoramas reasonably. I'll probably return the lens because the optical power has me but rather disappointed.

Review:

+ Removable lens hood ("shave" no more for Vollformatpanoramaufnahmen required)
+ 4 shots (tilted 90 °), you can create an almost complete spherical panorama
+ Excellent design with red "Canon L" Ring ;-)

o manual iris (for Panoramic Photography likely not a problem)
o no autofocus (but very successful broad focus ring)

- Disappointing imaging performance
- Circle for full-format cameras between full frame and circular
- No transfer of EXIF ​​data