Best Fisheye Lenses for Photographers

Fisheye lenses are a unique and creative tool that offers an ultra-wide 180-degree field of view, producing distinctive curved and distorted images.

Whether you shoot with a Canon, Nikon, Sony, or other cameras, here are the best fisheye lens options for you:

Full-Frame Fisheye Lenses

For a true, full-frame fisheye effect, look for lenses like the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM or the Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED.

These professional-grade lenses deliver stunning, high-quality fisheye images with advanced optics and coatings to minimize aberrations.

APS-C Fisheye-Like Lenses

If you have an APS-C camera, lenses like the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM or theNikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR can create a fisheye-like effect, though not as extreme as a true fisheye.

These more affordable options are great for experimenting with the wide, curved look.

Fisheye Lens Attachments

For a budget-friendly way to try out fisheye photography, consider third-party fisheye lens attachments and adapters that clip or screw onto the front of your existing lens.

These provide a cost-effective solution to achieve the fisheye effect without investing in a dedicated lens.

Fisheye Options for the Canon EOS 1300D

If you’re using a Canon EOS 1300D DSLR, you have a few good fisheye options to consider:

The Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens can be used with the EOS 1300D’s APS-C sensor to provide a true fisheye look.
The Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is a more affordable ultra-wide option that can create a fisheye-like effect on the EOS 1300D.
You can also find third-party fisheye lens attachments that clip or screw onto your existing EOS 1300D lens.
The EOS 1300D even has a built-in “Fisheye” shooting mode to simulate the effect digitally.

Other Fisheye Lens Brands for DSLR Cameras

Sigma Fisheye Lenses

The Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye lens is a full-frame fisheye option compatible with both Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras. Sigma is a renowned third-party lens manufacturer that offers high-quality, affordable fisheye solutions for various camera systems.

Samyang/Rokinon Fisheye Lenses

For budget-friendly manual focus fisheye lenses, check this lens from Samyang and this one from Rokinon.

These brands provide a range of wide-angle fisheye lens options for Nikon, Canon, Sony, and other DSLR mounts.

7artisans Fisheye Lenses

In the mirrorless camera industry, 7artisans offers an affordable 7.5mm f/2.8 APS-C fisheye lens for Sony E-mount systems.

This is a great choice for Sony a6000 series and other Sony mirrorless users seeking a compact, cost-effective fisheye solution.

Moment Fisheye Lens Attachments

Beyond dedicated DSLR fisheye lenses, Moment produces a 14mm fisheye lens attachment that can be used with various smartphone cameras, including iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, and OnePlus.

This provides a budget-friendly way to experiment with the fisheye look on mobile devices.

In-Camera Fisheye Effects

Many modern cameras, including options from Canon, Nikon, and Sony, have built-in “Fisheye” shooting modes that can simulate the fisheye look digitally, without any additional lenses.

This is a convenient and free way to experiment with the fisheye style.

No matter which route you choose, fisheye lenses open up a whole new world of creative photographic possibilities.

Whether you opt for a premium professional lens or a more budget-friendly attachment, exploring the unique perspective of fisheye photography can add an exciting new dimension to your images.

Fisheye lenses have a long history in skateboarding photography, where the ultra-wide perspective creates an immersive view of tricks and skate spots. My camera gear guide for skateboarders covers this use case and how to keep gear safe while shooting in urban environments.