This is not a lens for someone interested in conventional photography. But you’re not all that conventional, are you?
If you are interested in a bold new vector of perspective control, Sony’s latest E-mount lens might just be for you. Whether you are interested in stills, video, or even VR composition, the FE 8–14mm f/3.5 Fisheye G is worth a look or two! And with a prospective in-hand date of October 15th, you might want to get your pre-order in now, too. Read on for more, but be sure to click the link below to secure yours today.
The FE 8–14mm f/3.5 Fisheye G boasts a whopping 180° maximum angle of view—more than twice what you might expect from a more common 24mm wide-angle lens and, indeed, almost matches a human pair of eyes.
On a full-frame camera, the lens resolves a complete circle within the frame at 8mm (see example photos below), and at 14mm, the lens covers the entire frame—an extraordinary degree of creative potential. On an APS-C model (or in Super-35mm mode) the lens covers the entire sensor across the whole zoom length.
The fast, precise linear-motor autofocus system is capable of focusing as closely as 5.9″, producing a rather striking subject-highlight effect (see the flower photo in the sample images). Remarkably, even getting this close only results in 0.22x magnification—a clear demonstration of what a wiiiiiiide perspective this lens offers.
As one might expect, Sony has ensured that chromatic aberration is appropriately suppressed using ED and aspherical lens elements, both of which help boost resolution to keep ahead of the demands of modern camera bodies. Similarly-suppressed focus breathing and an all-internal zoom should catch the eye of adventurous videographers, and everyone who appreciates a good physical presence will appreciate the independent physical dials for focus, zoom, and aperture, plus a zoom lock, focus mode switch, focus hold button, and the dust- and moisture-resistant design.
This is the first fisheye zoom for the E-mount system, and it’s poised to make a splash. Ready to jump in?
Sample image gallery
Samples have been optimized for the web. Please reach out for full-res versions.