Sony Alpha Blog

Loawa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye

Published by

Marc Alhadeff

on

Sony Alpha 7R camera with Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye lens attached, showcasing a sleek design and functional controls.

in Blue English / en noir en Français

Table of Contents / Table des matières hide
1 Presentation
1.1 Specifications
1.2 Defishing the fisheye
2 Optical performances / Performances optiques
2.1 Sharpness / Piqué
2.2 Vignetting / chromatic aberrations / flare / sunstars
2.2 Vignettage / aberrations chromatiques / flare / effet d’étoiles
2.3 Bokeh / Color Rendition – Bokeh / Rendu des Couleurs
3 Video
4 Comparison with other fisheye lenses / comparaisons avec d’autres optiques Fisheye
5 Samples of Photos / Exemples de Photos
6 Conclusion
6 Conclusion
Like this:

Thanks to Photogallery Brussels , I could test the new Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye

All photos , taken with Sony A7RV & A1 and with minimal post processing are available in full size (50/61Mpix) in the following Flickr album :   Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye

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Help me to run this site and continue testing new lenses and products with a small donation

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Grâce à Photogallery Brussels , j’ai pu testé le nouveau Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye

Toutes les photos de l’article, prises avec le Sony A7RV & A1 sont disponibles en pleine résolution (50/61Mpix) dans l’album flickr suivant : Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye

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1 Presentation

1.1 Specifications

  • Weight : 650g
  • Price : 829 euros
  • Length : 94,5mm
  • Angle of View : 180° at 8mm – 175° at 15mm
  • Filter : no filter possible
  • Removable lens hood
  • 70° focusing throw
  • 75° zoom throw
  • 42° Aperture throw
  • Aperture ring with clicks
  • 9 blades aperture
  • Minimal focusing distance : 16 cm
  • 0,23X max magnification
  • Fully manual lens with no transmission of EXIF

The new Loawa is the first full frame fisheye zoom for E mount , to my knowledge there is also Canon EF 8-15mm F4 Fisheye zoom that exist

At 8mm you will get a circular image and at 15mm it will cover the entire field

The build construction is very good, all in metal

For most of the case you will focus to infinity and get everything sharp from 1 m to infinity or then you focus in close up at less than 50cm

Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye lens showing a rounded front element and focus markings, designed for versatile wide-angle photography.
Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye lens with aperture and focusing rings visible.
Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye zoom lens showing its front and side angles.

  • Poids : 650g
  • Prix : 829 euros
  • Longueur : 94,5mm
  • Angle de champ : 180° à 8mm – 175° à 15mm
  • Bague d’ouverture avec clics
  • 70° course de mise au point
  • 75° course de zoom
  • 42° course pour l’ouverture
  • Filtre : pas de filtre possible
  • Pare soleil amovible
  • Diaphragme à 9 lamelles
  • Distance de mise au point minimale : 16 cm
  • Grossissement max 0,23x
  • Optique entièrement manuelle sans transmission des EXIF

La qualité de construction est très bonne tout en métal

Ce nouveau Loawa est le premier zoom fisheye plein format pour la monture E. A ma connaissance seul un Canon EF 8-15mm F4 Fisheye assez similaire existe.

A 8mm on a une image circulaire et à 15mm une image qui couvre tout le champ

Dans la plupart des cas on fera la mise au point à l’infini et tout sera net de 1m à l’infini ou alors on sera tres press à moins de 50cm

A close-up view of a Sony camera body with a Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye lens attached, showcasing the camera's features and lens specifications.
Image showing the packaging of the Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye Zoom lens, featuring product specifications and branding.

1.2 Defishing the fisheye

The best way to use this lens is to use a Fisheye corrector, I am using DXO Viewpoint 5 for this .Here is an example of what you can get

Si vous voulez redressez les perspectives pour le 15mm , vous pouvez utiliser un logiciel comme DXO Viewpoint. Voici un exemple de ce qui est possible

A vibrant street scene featuring a historic building on the left, modern stores on the right, and people walking on a paved square under a clear blue sky.

2 Optical performances / Performances optiques

2.1 Sharpness / Piqué

A sharpness comparison chart for the 7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye II lens, showing performance across different apertures (F2.8, F4, F5.6, F8, F11, F16) for both center and corners at angles of 8mm and 15mm.

The tests were made on a Sony A7RV, with its 61 Mpix

  • At 8mm F2.8 you already get very good results and max performances is achieved at F4
  • 15mm is a little bit less good at f2.8 , and closing to F4 will also allow to get excellent results

The performance is globally very good for a fisheye at that price especially for the corners

for all images at all aperture please check : Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye

Les tests on été effectués sur un A7RV, le plus exigeant de la gamme Sony avec ses 61Mpix

  • A 8mm F2.8 on obtient déjà de très bons résultats et excellents à F4
  • A 15mm F2.8 c’est un peu moins bon, mais F4 permet également d’atteindre l’excellence

Les performances sont très bonnes pour un fisheye de ce prix sur A7RV, spécialement pour les coins

Pour les images à toutes les ouvertures consultez : Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye

A fisheye lens view of a room featuring a bookshelf, decorative lighting, and a wooden table with flowers. The image showcases distorted perspectives typical of fisheye photography.
8mm
A close-up of a bookshelf filled with various books, showcasing colorful book covers and some visible titles. A twenty-euro note is partially visible on the shelf.
centre F2.8
A fisheye photograph of an interior space featuring a cozy seating area, bookshelves, and decorative lighting, with a circular distortion effect characteristic of fisheye lenses.
8mm
An artistic corner featuring a framed painting, decorative masks, and a potted plant against a softly lit background.
corner F2.8
Interior view of a cozy living room featuring a fisheye lens perspective, showcasing bookshelves, decorative items, and soft furnishings.
15mm
A collection of various books neatly arranged on a shelf, featuring titles in French and English, including 'Putain de Chien,' 'Cuisine Bien Accompagné,' and 'Recettes du Sud.' The shelf has a light finish and a handle on the left.
centre F2.8
A spacious living room with large windows, decorative lights on the wall, a statue on a pedestal, and bookshelves filled with books and plants.
15mm F2.8
An artistic arrangement featuring a framed portrait on a wall, with decorative items including a mask and floral branches.
corner
Books arranged on shelves inside a cabinet, captured with a fisheye lens, showcasing their spines and variety in colors.
close up 15mm
Close-up of several books spines featuring colorful titles, with a prominent green book titled 'Légumes' among them.
F2.8

Distant subjects / Sujets distants

A panoramic view of a park featuring a pond, a fountain, lush greenery, and modern buildings in the background, captured with a fisheye lens.
8mm F8
Close-up of a modern building facade featuring curved glass and metal structure, with greenery in the foreground.
8mm crop 100%
A scenic view of a park with lush greenery, a pond, and a fountain, surrounded by modern buildings under a clear blue sky.
15mm F5.6
Close-up view of a modern building featuring large glass windows and curved architectural lines, with reflections visible on the glass.
15mm F5.6 crop 100%

2.2 Vignetting / chromatic aberrations / flare / sunstars

  • No vignetting at 15mm
  • Chromatic aberrations and LoCA are very low 
  • The flare resistance vary from very good to average depending of your angle to the sun , you can even achieve perfectly circular halos effects
  • Sunstars are very good

2.2 Vignettage / aberrations chromatiques / flare / effet d’étoiles

  • Pas de vignettage à 15mm
  • Les aberrations chromatiques et AC longitudinales sont très faibles
  • La résistance au flare est très bonne à moyenne selon l’angle par rapport au soleil avec parfois des effets de halos circulaires
  • Les effets d’étoiles sont très bons
A fisheye view of a plaza featuring a statue, with vibrant sunlight casting star-like rays, stone steps in the foreground, and historical buildings in the background.
8mm F16
A fisheye photograph of a bright, sunny square featuring a statue surrounded by classical architecture, with a vivid blue sky and rays of sunlight.
14mm F16
A fisheye view of a sunny sky visible through green leafy trees, with a building partially in the frame.
15mm f2.8
A fisheye perspective shot showing vibrant green trees with sun rays shining through the leaves against a clear blue sky.
15mm F22
Fisheye view of a garden with green trees and blue sky, capturing a circular perspective.
8mm F2.8
8mm F16
A fisheye lens view capturing bright sunlight through a circular perspective with surrounding greenery and buildings.
8mm F22
A fisheye photograph showing a sunburst above green foliage and buildings, with a circular distortion effect characteristic of fisheye lenses.
11mm F22
A fisheye perspective view of a blue sky with the sun radiating over lush green trees, creating a circular image with colorful lens flare effects.
13mm F22
A fisheye photograph capturing the sun's rays surrounded by vibrant green leaves and a clear blue sky, showcasing a circular lens effect with distinct halos.
15mm F22
Close-up shot of a book page taken with a fisheye lens, showcasing curved text and a creative perspective.
15mm f2.8 LoCA
Close-up shot of printed text showing sharp focus on the letters with a blurred background.
crop 100%
A fisheye lens image capturing the curved text of an open book, with blurred edges and a circular frame.
8mm F2.8 LoCA
Close-up of printed text on a page with clear, legible letters.
crop 100%

2.3 Bokeh  / Color Rendition – Bokeh / Rendu des Couleurs

  • To get a blurry background with an ultra wide angle like this 10mm you need to be pretty damn close to your main subject. In those case at F2.8, the blur is quite soft for such kind of lens
  • Color rendition is very good
  • Pour avoir un fond flou il faut être très près de son sujet principal avec un tel ultra grand angle. Dans ce cas à pleine ouverture on obtient de beaux fonds flous assez doux pour ce genre d’object
  • Le rendu des couleurs est très bon
A close-up image of a Playmobil figure standing on a black camera accessory with a blurred background, taken with a fisheye lens.
8mm F2.8
A close-up of a Playmobil figure wearing a suit and tie, placed on a black stand, with blurred interior doors visible in the background.
15mm F2.8
  • 8mm f2.8
  • 8mm F4
  • 8mm F5.6
  • 15mm F2.8
  • 15mm F4
  • 15mm F5.6
  • 15mm F8
Close-up of a yellow bike-sharing station in Brussels, featuring the text 'be villo! be .brussels.' with urban architecture in the background, captured with a fisheye lens.
Wide-angle shot of a bike-sharing station in Brussels featuring yellow bicycles and a modern architectural canopy overhead, capturing the urban ambiance.
A fisheye lens photograph capturing lush green leaves with a circular image distortion, showcasing vibrant foliage against a dark background.
Close-up of a green ivy leaf with a fisheye lens effect, capturing the intricate texture and details of the leaf against a blurred background of foliage.
Image depicting a close-up view of a wooden structure with a circular fisheye lens effect, surrounded by greenery and blurred background.
Close-up shot of a wooden fence post with blurred background of a garden, featuring green foliage and soft sunlight.
A display of colorful water bottles arranged on a wooden shelf, viewed through a fisheye lens, with a city street visible in the background.
A display of colorful water bottles in a shop window, featuring various shapes and sizes against a bright external street view.
Display of colorful water bottles on a wooden shelf in a storefront, with a busy street in the background.
A vibrant display of colorful bath products arranged on wooden shelves in a store, captured with a fisheye lens, creating a circular perspective.
A colorful display of various bath products arranged on wooden tables in a shop, showcasing vibrant pink, yellow, and green items, with shelves filled with more bath items in the background.
A colorful display of various types of handmade soaps in a store, featuring bright pink raspberry-shaped soaps in the foreground and other soap forms in vibrant colors in the background.
Postcards featuring the Grand Place in Brussels, displayed on a stand in a street setting.

3 Video

  • Very good results in video facilitated by the clickless aperture
  • Moderate focus breathing
  • Très bon résultats en vidéo facilité par la bague d’ouverture sans clics
  • Focus breathing modéré
A Playmobil figure standing on a camera lens in a bright, stylishly furnished room, with a fisheye perspective that captures the surroundings in a circular view.
Fisheye view of a room with a Playmobil figure on a tripod in the foreground, showcasing shelves filled with books and decorative items in the background.
A close-up image of a Playmobil figure standing on a table, with a blurred living room background featuring shelves and decorative elements. The image showcases the fisheye lens effect, emphasizing the figure's details and distorting the surrounding space.
A playful room interior captured with a Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye lens, featuring a small figure in the foreground, bookshelves filled with books in the background, and various decorative items in a cozy setting.

4 Comparison with other fisheye lenses / comparaisons avec d’autres optiques Fisheye

The closest competitor are the / Les concurrents les plus proches sont les

Three fisheye lenses shown side by side on a clean white background, highlighting their different sizes and design features.
Samyang / TTArtisans / 7 Artisans
Three fisheye camera lenses displayed side by side on a white background. The lenses vary in design and size, with distinct brand markings and features.
Samyang / TTArtisans / 7 Artisans
Three different fisheye lenses displayed side by side on a white background, showcasing their unique designs and characteristics.
Samyang / TTArtisans / 7 Artisans
A Sony A7R camera with a Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 fisheye lens attached, showcasing the camera's sleek design and lens detail.

Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye II7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 FisheyeAstrHori 12mm F2.8 FisheyeTTArtisan 11mm F2.8 FisheyeSamyang 12mm F2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye
Price / Prix829 euros278 USD330 euros259$215 $ / 300 euros450 euros
Weight / Poids650g602g587g771g481g525g
Length / Longueur94,5mm95mm85mm90mm82mm106mm
field of view / Angle de vue180°185°180°185°180°180°
Buttons / RingAperture ring with click
Bague d’ouverture avec clics		Clickless Aperture ring
Bague
d’ouverture sans clics		Clickless Aperture ring
Bague
d’ouverture sans clics		Aperture ring with click
Bague d’ouverture avec clics		Clickless Aperture ring
Bague
d’ouverture sans clics		Aperture ring with click
Bague d’ouverture avec clics
Min focusing distance / Distance min de mise au point16cm15cm17cm20cm17cm20cm
Build Quality / Quality de construction+++++++++++++++
Aperture blades / Lames de diaphragme9117577
Filter / FiltreNoNoNoNoNoNo

Specifications

The Laowa although being a zoom is not bigger or heavier than its competitors, but it is much more expensive

The 7 Artisans V2 is 1 cm bigger and is heavier than, the V1 and is the one with the max number of aperture blades : 11 vs 7 for all the others

The AstrHori is the heaviest and biggest

The TT Artisan is the lightest. The Samyang more plastic has the worst build quality

Specifications

Le Laowa bien qu’un zoom n’est pas plus lourd ou plus grand que les autres focales fixes, mais il est beaucoup plus cher

Le 7 Artisans V2 est 1cm plus grand est plus lourd que la V1, c’est celui avec le plus de lames de diaphragme 11 contre 7 pour tous les autres

L’AstrHori est le plus gros et lourd

Le TT Artisan est le plus léger. Le Samyang tout en plastique est celui avec la moins bonne qualité de constrction

Field of view & Vignetting

As you can see from the below the the 7Artisans 10mm V2 is the ones with the widest field of view, significantly better than V1. The TTArtisan is less wide. The Laowa is the least wide in the sense at 12mm it does not cover the full frame

Angle de vue et vignettage

Comme vous pouvez le voir ci dessous le 7Artisans 10mm V2 est celui avec le plus grand angle de champ, nettement plus important que la V2. Le TTArtisan est a un champ moins large. Le Laowa a le champ le plus restreint en ce sens que il ne couvre pas tout le cadre à 12mm comme les autres

Interior view of a room featuring two bookshelves filled with books, a table with decorative items, and wall art. The image is captured using a fisheye lens, showcasing a wide perspective that creates a curved effect.
15mm
Interior photo of a room with a fisheye perspective, showcasing bookshelves, a desk, and a cozy seating area.
7 Artisans 10mm f2.8 Fisheye II
Panoramic view of a cozy living room featuring bookshelves, artwork, and comfortable furniture, taken with a Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye lens.
7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 @F2.8
Interior shot of a room showcasing a fisheye perspective, featuring bookshelves, a red couch, decorative lights, and unique wall art.
TT Artisan 11mm F2.8 @F2.8
A fisheye photograph of a cozy living room featuring red sofas, bookshelves, decorative wall lights, and a small dining table.
Samyang 12mm F2.8 @F2.8
A fisheye photograph of a cozy living room, featuring a bookcase filled with books, decorative items on the walls, a comfortable sofa, and a table with various objects on it.
AstrHori 12mm f2.8

Sharpness

Comparison table of various fisheye lenses showcasing their sharpness ratings at different apertures.

On A7RV the 7 Artisans V1 is less sharp than the 3 others lenses , the 7 artisans V2 is one of the best (specially for the corners). The Laowa is the best one

Sur A7RV le 7 Artisans V1 est clairement moins piqué que les 3 autres optiques, Le 7 artisans V2 est un des meilleurs (spécialement pour les coins). Le Laowa est le meilleur

Bokeh / Background blur

The TTArtisan and 7 Artisans V1 have a smoother and more pleasant background blur than the Samyang or the 7 Artisans V2. The Laowa is one of the best for bokeh and color rendition

Bokeh / flou d’arrière plan

le TTArtisan et le 7 Artisans V1 ont un flou d’arrière plan plus doux et agréable que le Samyang ou le 7 Artisans V2. Le Laowa est un des meilleurs pour le bokeh et le rendu des couleurs

A close-up of a Playmobil figurine wearing a black vest and blue tie, standing on a round base, with blurred background featuring a light-colored door.
Laowa @15mm F2.8
A close-up of a Playmobil figure wearing a suit, positioned on a shelf with blurred background elements, including doors with decorative glass panels.
7 Artisans 10mm f2.8 Fisheye IIF 2.8
A Playmobil figure standing on a holder, with a blurred background featuring decorative lights, captured with a fisheye lens.
7 Artisans F2.8
A Playmobil figurine standing on top of a red object, in front of a reflection on a glass door with lights in the background.
AstrHori 12mm f2.8
F2.8, TT Artisans 11mm F2.8 Fisheye- ISO 100-1-4 s 029
TT Artisan F2.8
A blurred street scene featuring a building facade and shoppers walking by, captured with a fisheye lens.
Laowa 15mm F2.8
Blurred view of a bustling shopping arcade with people socializing and storefronts in the background, captured using Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye lens.
7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye II
A blurred view of a shopping arcade with illuminated store windows and people walking in the background.
7 Artisans F2.8
F4, TT Artisans 11mm F2.8 Fisheye- ISO 3200-1-125 s 051

TT Artisan F2.8

Samyang 12mm F2.8 Fisheye-51-fullframe
Samyang 12mm F2.8

Reisstance to flare / CA

The 7Artisans are a little bit better than the TT Artisan on that area. The 7 Artisans V2 is the one with the best sunstars

The Laowa has one of the best resistance to flare and well defined sunstars

Bokeh / flou d’arrière plan

Les 7 Artisans ont une une meilleure résistance au flare comparé au TTArtisan

Le 7 artisans V2 est celui avec les meilleurs effets d’étoiles

Le Laowa es tun des meilleurs pour la résistance eau flare et la précision des effets d’étoiles

Fisheye view of a sunny plaza featuring a statue, surrounded by classical buildings and a clear blue sky.
14mm F16
A fisheye photograph of a street scene featuring colorful buildings, cars parked along the sidewalk, and a bright blue sky with clouds.
7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye II @F16
A fisheye photo of a small garden featuring flowering plants and trees, with a glimpse of a white wall and a building in the background under a bright sky.
7 Artisans F16
A fisheye view of a garden scene featuring a bright sky, a sunburst effect through a leafy tree, and nearby buildings partially surrounding the garden.
AstrHori 12mm f2.8
F16, TT Artisans 11mm F2.8 Fisheye- ISO 1250-1-125 s 074
TT Artisan F16
A fisheye perspective showing a sunny sky with starburst effects, surrounded by green foliage and the corners of nearby buildings.
Samyang 12mm F2.8

Sharpness in real life

Wide open the TTArtisanand 7 Artisans V2 show better performance than the 7 Artisans V1

Bokeh / flou d’arrière plan

A pleine ouverture le TTArtisan et le 7 Artisans V2 offrent un meilleur piqué que le 7 Artisans V1

Two women smiling and posing together in a shopping arcade, with a fish-eye perspective capturing their cheerful expressions and the surrounding architecture.
7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye II
Close-up photograph of an eye, highlighting intricate details such as eyelashes, skin texture, and reflections in the iris.
Two young women smiling together in a public square, with historic buildings in the background. The image is taken with a fisheye lens, creating a distorted wide-angle effect.
7 Artisans F2.8 V1
Close-up of a young woman's face with long brown hair, emphasizing her eyes and smile.
7 Artisans F2.8
TT Artisans 11mm F2.8 Fisheye- ISO 100-1-125 s 092
F2.8 ISO 100-1-125 s
TT Artisans 11mm F2.8 Fisheye- ISO 100-1-125 s 092-2
crop 100% F2.8
Portrait of a man and woman smiling together in a historical arcade, with shops and cafes visible in the background.
AstrHori 12mm F2.8
A fisheye view of a bustling street in Brussels featuring a historic building with outdoor seating at a restaurant and modern construction in the background under a clear blue sky.
Laowa 15mm F5.6
A bustling square in Brussels with historical buildings, people walking, and a cloudy sky. The image is taken with a fisheye lens, providing a wide perspective.
7 Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye II
Wide-angle view of a historic square in Brussels featuring ornate architecture and cloudy skies, with a few people walking across the cobblestone plaza.
7 Artisans V1
Wide-angle fisheye view of a bustling square in Brussels, featuring ornate historic buildings and a crowd of people.
AstrHori 12mm f2.8
F2.8, TT Artisans 11mm F2.8 Fisheye- ISO 100-1-800 s 086
F2.8
Samyang 12mm F2.8 Fisheye-12
Samyang 12mm F2.8

Conclusion

The 7 Artisans 10mm f2.8 Fisheye II offers compactness, very good sharpness wide open and good to very good corners. Its sunstars are the best defined among the 4 lenses compared with relatively good resistance to flare compared to the others. The color rendition is very good

The Laowa is a little bit better and offer the versatility of a zoom but at a much higher price

Conclusion

Le 7 Artisans 10mm f2.8 fish-eye II offre de très bonnes performances dans un format compact. Très bon à excellent piqué au centre, bon à très bon dans les coins, Très beaux effets d’étoiles. Résistance au flare meilleure que les concurrents. Le rendu des couleurs est très bon

Le Laowa est un peu meilleur et il offre la polyvalence d’un zoom mais à un prix beaucoup plus élevé

5 Samples of Photos / Exemples de Photos

  • Very good sharpness and color rendering
  • Très bon piquée et très Bon rendu des couleurs
Wide-angle view of a modern building with reflective glass windows, featuring a prominent circular sculpture in the foreground.
Urban landscape featuring a modern building with large glass windows, a sculptural installation in the foreground, and trees lining the street, captured using a fisheye lens.
A fisheye lens photo showing a street with bike lanes and modern buildings in the background, highlighting the curved perspective typical of a fisheye effect.
Urban street view featuring modern buildings, traffic signs, and pedestrians, captured with a fisheye lens.
A fisheye photograph showing a vibrant city scene with tall buildings, leafy trees, and a busy street, captured using the Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye lens.
A fisheye view of a street scene featuring a mix of classic and modern buildings under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A close-up image of a silver combination padlock attached to a chain that is wrapped around a wooden post covered in green ivy.
Fisheye photograph featuring a close-up of ivy leaves with a distorted circular perspective.
A fisheye photograph showcasing a modern urban landscape with an artistic structure overhead. Pedestrians are walking along a vibrant crosswalk, and buildings stretch into the background under a clear blue sky.
A bustling urban scene featuring a modern architectural structure with a circular, lattice-like roof, viewed from below. Pedestrians are crossing a striped walkway while large buildings and a public bus are visible in the background.
Interior view of a toy store showcasing various colorful products and a playful atmosphere, captured with a fisheye lens.
Interior view of a toy store displaying colorful merchandise and shelves, featuring bright lighting and customers browsing.
A fisheye perspective view of a bustling plaza in Brussels, featuring people walking, cranes in the background, and modern architecture under a blue sky.
Wide-angle view of a city square featuring modern buildings, cranes, and construction work, with a cyclist passing through.
Panoramic view of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, showcasing the building's architecture with clear blue sky and some construction equipment on the left.
Exterior view of a shopping area featuring modern architecture, shops, and pedestrians. Prominent storefronts include KIABI and Haridis, with a clear blue sky above and some people sitting on benches.
A fisheye photograph capturing a modern building with a curved design, featuring a glass facade. The scene shows a busy urban area with people walking, and a clear blue sky in the background. The image has a circular distortion typical of fisheye lenses.
View of a modern building with a curved facade and large glass windows, surrounded by pedestrians in a busy street under a clear blue sky.
A bustling street view in Brussels featuring a historic building with a restaurant at the corner, showcasing vibrant colors and people enjoying outdoor seating under a clear blue sky.
Vue d'une rue bordée de bâtiments avec une architecture variée et un ciel bleu parsemé de nuages, prise avec un objectif fisheye.
A fisheye perspective of a bustling shopping gallery with people sitting at outdoor cafes and browsing shops, featuring elegant architecture and a glass roof.
A fisheye view of a grand building with ornate architecture and banners, set against a bright blue sky.

6 Conclusion

The Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fishete (829 euros) is the first full frame fisheye zoom for Sony E mount. Results are very good to excellent with versatility to go from a circular image to a full frame image. Sharpness, color rendition, ergonomics, level of CA , resistance to flare , nice sunstars : all is very good. This come at a price

If you are just looking for a standard fisheye then the 7 Artisans 10mm f2.8 Fisheye II (295$) offers compactness, very good sharpness wide open and good to very good corners. The color rendition is very good

Highly recommended

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$3.00

Pros

  • Zoom versatility : from circular fisheye to full frame fisheye
  • Very good to excellent sharpness in the centre
  • Good to very good corners
  • Very consistent on the entire field as of F4
  • Very good build quality
  • Compact
  • Reasonable weight for a zoom
  • Very good sunstars
  • Better resistance to flare than competitors but with some halos
  • Very Good color rendition
  • Background blur quite soft for such a lens
  • Low CA and LoCa

Average

  • Price

Cons

  • None
Sony A7R camera with a Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye lens attached, showcasing its sleek design and features.

6 Conclusion

Le Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 Fishete (829 euros) est le premier zoom fisheye plein format pour la monture E. Les résultats sont très bon à excellent avec la flexibilité de passer d’une image circulaire à une image plein cadre. le Piqué le rendu des couleurs, l’ergonomie, le niveau d’AC la résistance au flare , les effets d’étoiles tout est très bon, mais tout cela à un prix

Si vous recherchez un Fisheye plus standard Le 7 Artisans 10mm f2.8 Fisheye II (295$) offre de très bonnes performances dans un format compact. Très bon à excellent piqué au centre, bon à très bon dans les coins, Très beaux effets d’étoiles. Résistance au flare meilleure que les concurrents. Le rendu des couleurs est très bon

Recommandé

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  • Polyvalence du zoom : du fisheye circulaire au plein cadre
  • Très bon à excellent piqué au centre
  • Bon à très bon coins
  • Piqué très consistant sur tout le champ dès F4
  • Très bonne qualité de construction
  • Compact
  • Poids raisonnable pour un zoom
  • Très beaux effets d’étoiles
  • Résistance au flare un peu meilleure que les autres Fisheye même si des effets de halos sont visibles
  • Très bon rendu des couleurs
  • Flou d’arrière plan assez doux ou peu nerveux pour ce genre d’objectif
  • Faible AC et AC longitudinales

Moyen

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4 responses to “Loawa 8-15mm F2.8 Fisheye”

  1. Carbon Avatar
    Carbon

    Great review as always!

    Do you know how wide it approximately is when defished at 15mm? Is it wider than the widest rectlinear lens? I’m not exactly sure how it works.

    From your samples, it looks wider horisontally but tighter vertically than, say, the Laowa 9mm f/5.6, though the images weren’t taken at the same position, et cetera.

    Does it make sense to buy a fisheye and defish it over the widest rectlinear lens? Can this or any fisheye produce a wider field of view than 9mm once corrected to a rectlinear lens?

    I use the Laowa 9mm f/5.6 currently, but wouldn’t mind using a fisheye, if I can get an even wider angle once defished.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    1. Carbon Avatar
      Carbon

      Also, how about defishing the fully circular image at 8mm? How does that work compared to the full image at 15mm? Will it be too much of a compromise in field of view and image quality, or can it result in a wider field of view than at 15mm once both are corrected?

      Reply
      1. Marc Alhadeff Avatar
        Marc Alhadeff

        defishing will always degrade the image at the border so its best to have directly the rectilinear image in general

    2. Marc Alhadeff Avatar
      Marc Alhadeff

      if it is to systematically defuse it is best to take the rectilinear lens directly

      Reply

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