Sigma Goes Fisheye with Two New Lenses

Sigma have announced today the DC versions of their two fisheye lenses aimed at 35mm full-frame cameras, the 8mm f3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye and 15mm f2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye.

Now, photographers working with cropped-sensor cameras, such as the Nikon D200 and the Canon EOS 400D, can enjoy the groovy fisheye perspective. Let's start off with the more popular diagonal fisheye lens, the 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM. Despite being designed for APS-C sensors, this model only achieves the 180-degree angle with the Nikon DSLRs, the Canon digital single lens reflex cameras stopping at 167 degrees and the Sigmas at 154 degrees. This doesn't mean you get spectacular perspectives, but Nikon users might be more tempted to purchase it.

Just like the 35mm full-frame version, this one also offers a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which makes it suitable for indoor low-light tasks.

As for autofocus, there's a clear improvement over the 15mm DG version in the form of a Hyper Sonic Motor, which makes the process faster and less noisy. Moreover, the HSM also allows full-time focus override (the focusing ring can be rotated in AF mode). Speaking of focusing, you can get as close as 1.8cm to your subject and obtain excellent pan focus images.

Due to the extremely curved front element, you cannot mount regular screw-in filters, but the lens is supplied with a gelatin filter holder at the rear, allowing the use of gelatin filters.

Second on the line is the world's first 4.5mm circular fisheye lens for digital cameras. The 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC HSM offers a circular 180-degree angle and of course, it's designed for cropped-sensor DSLRs. Unlike the DG version, this one offers a faster f/2.8 maximum aperture, making it suitable for low-light photography.

This model also benefits from the hypersonic motor that improves AF operation and allows for full-time manual focus override.

In terms of optical construction, the lens also includes Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass to minimize color aberrations.

Unfortunately, Sigma have not announced any pricing details for the two fisheye lenses, but one thing is for sure: they will be cheaper than their Nikon or Canon counterparts.

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