An updated version of Sigma’s 8mm f/4 spherical fisheye, this is the field’s widest circular fisheye with autofocus. It’s also among the last Sigma film-era lenses to be upgraded with coatings that suppress reflections from digital sensors (”DG”). It captures a 180-degree field of view, with exaggerated perspective and dramatic linear distortion, especially along the frame edges. For full-circle images, you need a full-frame film or digital SLR; APS-scaled sensors crop into the top and bottom of the frame when the camera is oriented horizontally.
Hands on:
About average in size and weight by modern fisheye standards, the lens is all metal. The nicely damped manual-focus ring turns smoothly. AF action on the Canon EOS 30D was fast and quiet. Like Sigma’s earlier 8mm f/4, the new f/3.5 has a spring-loaded filter holder inside the lensmount that accepts gelatin filters that you cut with the help of a supplied template. It also has an unusual hood-like filter holder that slides over the front of the barrel, accepts standard 72mm filters, and has a felt lining to control flare and reflections. Because of the lens’ extreme angle of view, using this filter holder causes marginal yet noticeable vignetting. And if you use a built-in flash, the lens casts a relatively large shadow.
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