Here are some shots I took with the lens, coupled with a Heliopan 10 stop ND filter, at Turimetta Beach last weekend. I don’t have this problem with my 14-24mm. However, the is definitely noticeable barrel distortion at the wide end, around 16-18mm.
But if you're willing to spend the money, the M.Zuiko will in no way disappoint you.
If you're looking for a fish-eye for occasional use, the manual focus Lensbaby Circular Fisheye may be a better fit at $300. But it's a big lens when compared with other Micro Four Thirds primes, and an expensive one.
Its wide aperture, excellent build, and close focus capability are all pluses.
Olympus does recommend using a $35 accessory to prevent the writing that identifies the lens from being reflected in the plastic dome of an underwater housing.Ĭonclusions The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO is an appealing lens for photographers who are looking for a serious fish-eye.
The close focus capability-the lens can lock onto subjects as close as 4.7 inches from the sensor, almost touching the front element-also makes it a strong contender for underwater photography, where shooting wide and getting as close to your subject as possible is imperative.
Those that are turned off by the fish-eye look can straighten out images using the tools in Photoshop or specialized software like PTLens. The image quality makes the M.Zuiko an appealing option for landscape photographers as well. Even when you shoot with the M.Zuiko at its widest aperture, it's sharper than the 2,179 lines that the Panasonic 8mm shows at f/3.5 in a similar test. Stopping down to f/2.8 improves that average to 2,429 lines, and there's modest improvement at f/4 (2,469 lines), f/5.6 (2,560 lines), and f/8 (2,760 lines). The midparts do lag a bit behind the center, showing 1,949 lines, but that's still a fine result.
I'm not able to run a full edge-to-edge sharpness test on a lens this wide, but Imatest does show that the center and midparts of the frame score an average 2,339 lines per picture height at f/1.8 when paired with the 16-megapixel OM-D E-M10 Mark II. Thankfully, you can shoot at f/1.8 and still capture crisp images. Image Quality A fish-eye with a wide aperture is a rare thing. An o-ring sits around the lens mount, and internal seals complete the dust- and splash-resistant design.Fisheye The built-in lens hood does offer some protection. It's something you won't want to lose, as the front element is sure to pick up fingerprints and dust if it's not protected. I did use the lens a bit with the Panasonic G7 ($447.99 at Amazon), which doesn't stabilize it, but found that the ultra-wide field of view really negated the need for a stabilization system, even when recording handheld video.Ī snap-on lens cap is included. There's no optical stabilization-that's not something you often find in a lens this wide-but if you pair it with an Olympus camera you'll benefit from in-body stabilization. The metal barrel gives the lens a pro feel, and a large, knurled manual focus ring is available for those times when you want to wrest control from your camera's autofocus system. Its bulbous front element precludes the use of lens filters, but it does capture a full 180-degree field. That's bigger than the Panasonic 8mm, which is just 2 by 2.4 inches and 5.8 ounces. It measures 3.2 by 2.4 inches (HD) and weighs 11.1 ounces. If you don't want to spend as much, consider the Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm F3.5 or the Lensbaby Circular Fisheye, both of which are available for Micro Four Thirds camera systems.ĭesign The 8mm F1.8 is on the large side for a Micro Four Thirds prime. The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO ($999.99) is priced a bit high too high for shooters who may be considering dipping their toes into the proverbial water, but it's an excellent choice for photographers in search of a premium fish-eye lens with a wide aperture, weather-sealed design, and the ability to focus very close. Shooting ultra-wide images certainly set photos apart, but it also offers challenges in composition. At one point or another, budding photographers get the idea that adding a fish-eye lens to their kit is the logical next step.