Good quality wide field lens that doesn't cost the Earth

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Lester

Hi all, after a few days looking on the net at wide field lenses and toing and froing, I have ordered the Samyang 14mm f2.8 today. I did a full 360 in the last day from the Canon 16-35 L f2.8 after seeing the Samyang results with only 1/3 the price. Other than the moustache distortion of the Samyang in many of the other tests it came out better than the Canon. Also considered the more expensive 14mm f2.8 Canon, but the cheaper alternative won me.

Just hope I get a good copy, as the only downside I keep hearing is the 5 lenses Colin had to try before getting a good one. Prices of this lens vary from over $800-less than $400.

All the best.

Make sure you can get it exchanged, I tried 3 and all were awful and I gave up. My brother got a good one first go, so they do exist, but it is a bit of a lottery.

[Lester]

Hi Peter, yes there is an exchange, with cost of $35, so better than nothing. I had heard that it can be a lottery. Would be good to be able to walk into a shop and try them, but no such luck in Pt Lincoln.

[Lester]

I had a quick look at the Samyang 8mm f3.5 fish-eye and seems it is a good performer also. Although not meant for full frame sensors it still does a job and IMO better than the Canon 8-15 zoom fish-eye that only gives a circle illuminated at 8mm on full frame sensors.