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Canon’s groundbreaking EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM L-series lens – the world’s first fisheye zoom lens to offer both circular and full frame images – is now available for photographers.

The lens was originally announced in autumn 2010 and it offers outstanding image quality, a constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range, and a robust design. When the lens is used with full frame Canon DSLRs – such as the EOS 5D Mark II or the EOS-1Ds Mark III – photographers can choose to capture circular or full-frame fisheye images, allowing them to view a scene in a completely new, unique way. It gives photographers a great degree of creative flexibility when shooting scenes such as the night sky, where the full 180º horizontal and vertical fields of view (FOV) allow every detail to be captured with incredible clarity in one image.

The EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM produces a more traditional, full frame fisheye view when used with EOS DSLRs with APS-C or APS-H sensors. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. ‘C’ and ‘H’ markings can be found next to the zoom operation ring, indicating the wideangle zoom position where vignette-free shooting is possible with either sensor, allowing photographers to achieve optimum results with any EOS DSLR body.

Advanced optical design
The EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM has 14 lens elements in 11 different groups, including one aspherical and one Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element to correct chromatic aberration and produce high-quality, high-contrast shots with excellent colour reproduction.

To counteract ghosting and flare from strong light sources all of the lens’ elements have been covered with Canon’s Super Spectra Coating. The inner surface of the front element also features Canon’s SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC) which, using tiny cone-like structures to gradually slow light down until it is at the same speed as it travels through glass, removes the risk of flare occurring before the light reaches the camera’s sensor.

To ensure that the optimum image quality is maintained, the front and rear lens elements also feature a Fluorine Coating that actively repels water, dust and dirt – leaving the lens unobstructed by particles and making it easier to clean.

Low light capabilities and accurate focusing
The ultra-wideangle zoom of the EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM offers a fresh take on shooting sporting action or architecture shots, while the constant f/4 aperture of the lens allows faster shutter speeds to be used for capturing natural looking images in low light.

A ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM), provides quick and accurate focusing when shooting and enables a full-time manual focus functionality allowing photographers to adjust the focus of any shot, even when the AF system is activated, for even greater control over image capture and improved creative flexibility.

The lens has a high-grade design that helps to give it a high resistance to both dust and water in the harshest weather conditions. The external design features a new exterior texture, for a high quality look and feel. The lens comes supplied with a dedicated lens cap, lens pouch and a felt-lined lens hood (EW-77) to prevent lens flare when shooting at the 15mm end of the zoom.