Sigma EX 4.5mm 1: 2.8 DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE Review

For the provided Sigma EX 4.5mm 1: 2.8 DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE lens many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including Similar Sigma Lenses.

Browse Navigation

1. In short
2. History
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Focusing
6. Image quality and sample photos
7. My experience
8. Alternatives (all over-widths for APS-C)
9. Prices
10. Results
11. User Comments
12. Add your review / comment or question on the lens

In this review, I will call the Sigma EX 4.5mm 1: 2.8 DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE Lens abbreviated Sigma 4.5 / 2.8. Please also note that this lens is available for different cameras with different mounts. In the review, I have an option for a Canon EF / EFS mount for Canon EOS SLR cameras with an APS-C sensor. At the same time, this lens is for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Sony A / Minolta A and Pentax K.

In short

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 - circular fisheye for cropped SLR cameras of various systems. It is a unique lens of its kind. Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 creates an image inscribed in a circle, with a viewing angle of 180 degrees.

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 is:

• lens with the shortest focal length for SLR cameras with APS-C sensor
• first circular fisheye for SLR cameras with APS-C sensor
• the only circular feature for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony and Sigma cropped SLR cameras with APS-C sensor
• the circle with the image fits completely on the cropped sensors mirror system 4/3

This lens is suitable for highly specialized tasks, such as aerial photography, technical shooting for specific scientific tasks, and creative shooting.

History

Sigma DC super-wide line-up (for cropped SLR cameras, in order of appearance):

1. Sigma 10-20 mm 1: 4-5.6 EX DC [+ -HSM, + -D]was announced February 14 2005 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. December 6 2005 Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A released. February 1 2008 a version for the 4/3 mirror system was released. The 'D' prefix is ​​only available on early production Nikon and Sony / Minolta A variants. The HSM motor is only available for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F and 4/3. The Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A versions have no focusing distance window; a distance scale is printed on the focusing ring. Scheme 14/10, 3 ASP, 3 SLD
2. Sigma 4.5 mm 1:2.8 EX DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYEwas announced November 14, 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. 23 September 2008 Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A released. Scheme 13/9, 1 SLD
3. Sigma 10 mm 1:2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheyewas announced November 14, 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. 23 September 2008 Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A released. Scheme 12/7, without special optical elements
4. Sigma 10-20 mm 1:3.5 EX DC HSMwas announced March 3 2009, for Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony / Minolta A. Scheme 13/10, 4 ASP, 2 ELD, 1 SLD. Velvet or glossy case
5. Sigma 8-16 mm 1: 4.5-5.6 DC HSMwas announced February 21 2010, Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony / Minolta A. Scheme 15/11, 3 ASP, 4 FLD

It should be noted that Sigma makes one of the most interesting super-widths for mirrored cropped systems.

Main technical characteristics of Sigma EX 4.5mm 1: 2.8 DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE:

Review Instance Name	The lens barrel bears the following inscriptions 'Sigma EX' + 'Sigma 4.5mm 1: 2.8 DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE' + 'LENS MADE IN JAPAN' + serial number
Basic properties	DC (Digital Camera) - a lens designed for SLR cameras with an APS-C sensor EX (EXcellent) - the highest quality professional lens HSM (Hyper Sabout nothing Motor) - ultrasonic focusing motor, in this case it is analogous to 'Nikon SWM'. CIRCULAR FISHEYE - circular fisheye lens AF / M - simple focus mode switch IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus Super Multi-Layer Coating - super multicoated optics SLD (Special Low Dispersion) - special low dispersion elements in the optical scheme filters are mounted on the bayonet side optional front cover holder Important: a lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use
Front Filter Diameter	not provided Uses gelatin filters on the bayonet side
Focal length	4.5 mm, EGF for Canon APS-C cameras is 7.2 mm
Zoom ratio	1 x (this is a fixed lens)
Designed by	for digital cameras Canon EF / EFS (the lens mount of the lens itself is EF), there are modifications for other systems: Nikon f Sigma sa Sony A / Minolta A Pentax K (KAF3)
Number of aperture blades	6 petals
Tags	a window with a focusing distance in meters and feet, there are only values ​​for 0.135, 0.2 meters and an infinity mark bayonet mount mark
Diaphragm	F / 2.8 to F / 22
MDF	0.135 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 6
The weight	470 grams claimed According to my measurements, the lens itself is 466 grams
Optical design	13 elements in 9 groups including 1 low dispersion SLD element (shown in blue on the optical diagram) The image of the optical scheme is clickable to enlarge
Lens hood	not used
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN JAPAN (Lens made in Japan)
Production period	Since November 14, 2007. It was announced simultaneously with Sigma 10mm 1: 2.8 EX DC HSM FISHEYE
Price	View all prices on E-katalog $ 1250 at the start of sales

'Circular' from the English 'CIRCULAR' - 'Circular', that is, one that gives an image inscribed in a circle.

Assembly

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 was made in Japan. To the touch the lens is pleasant and weighty. The lens has a considerable weight, which is almost half a kilo. On small cameras such as Canon EOS 500D, the weight balance is not broken.

The front lens of the lens is strongly convex and protrudes beyond the frame of the housing, creating a characteristic appearance of the entire lens.

Install a protective cover before installing optional metal extension ring, and already install the front protective cover on it. The lens hood fits snugly against the lens body, and there is a special sealing fabric on the inside. The diameter of the covers is 72 mm. You can immediately remove this lens hood with the front cover. The lens hood covers a huge portion of the image in a circle. Sometimes you can forget about the lens hood and for a long time to shoot with it, losing a huge part of the image at the edges.

Lens cannot use classic lens hoods and filters. But from the bayonet side you can install gelatin filters. True, the filter can be replaced by a protective cover, while reducing the viewing angle, but it will also be possible to use at least somehow standard filters at 72 mm.

On the case there is only a bayonet mount label.

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 has a focus ring rotation direction match with direction from the original Canon Fisheye Zoom Lens EF 8-15mm 1: 4.0L USM.

The lens has metal bayonet mount. Most of the internal power elements of the lens are also made of metal. The focus ring is rubberized. There is another decorative ring on the case.

The lens case is covered with characteristic Sigma velvet, which over time can overwrite and lose its beautiful appearance.

Number of petals aperture - 6 items. Moreover, they are slightly rounded and form a regular hexagon on strongly covered diaphragms.

Focusing

For focusing Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 uses a special ultrasonic focusing motor 'HSM' (Hyper Sonic Motor) ring type. This is an analogue of Canon USM motors.

During automatic focusing, the motor performs its work quite quietly, but nevertheless, the noise from the focusing motor is clearly audible in videos recorded using the microphone built into the camera. In Live View, with frequent and rapid changes in focus direction to accurately fine-tune the focus, the lens creates a distinctive strong knock.

Auto Focus Speed high. It is believed that the focus speed is not important for the super-wide, and the presence of automatic focusing as such. But still fast and tenacious autofocus greatly simplifies the life of the photographer.

When used on a camera Canon EOS 500D with unpretentious focusing system with 9 focus points the lens behaves well. I had no problems with focus accuracy and focus. On camera Canon EOS 500D I checked the presence of the back and focus front at different focusing distances (infinity and MDF as well). Pictures taken using the Live View mode (which does not suffer from back / front focus) were used as a measure. Focusing accuracy using phase sensors completely coincided with the Live View mode. In Live View, the lens also works well.

The focus ring is rubberized and rotates approximately 90 degrees in manual focus mode. When extreme positions are reached, the ring does not abut, but continues to rotate freely. Manual focus is quite convenient. Direction of rotation of the focus ring coincides with original Canon Fisheye Zoom Lens EF 8-15mm 1: 4.0L USM. In automatic focus mode, the focus ring does not rotate and you can hold the lens behind it.

Lens has internal focus, the front and rear lenses remain stationary during focusing.

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 has a window with a focus distance scale in meters and feet. The number of values ​​on the scale is minimal, the scale itself is not very useful. There are values ​​only for 0.135, 0.2 meters and an infinity mark. Infrared scales and labels for working in the infrared spectrum are not.

The minimum focusing distance is only 13.5 cm, and the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 6, which is very good for such a lens.

On the case of Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 there is focus mode switch 'AF | M '(auto focus / manual focus). Lens supports continuous manual focus control (Full-Time Manual Focus). How the original FTM function works well here.

Focus Features:

1. Important: the quality of the Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 focus in Live View greatly depends on the camera used, as well as on the system used for the lens
2. Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 has mild 'Focus Breathing' effect (changing the viewing angle during focusing).
3. Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 does not have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens to infinity under any external temperature conditions. For accurate aiming at infinity, you cannot just bring the focus ring to its extreme position. The focus ring can have a large overrun for infinity.
4. Unknown compatibility with Canon EF to EOS M and Canon EF to EOS R adapter
5. Important: Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 is a third-party lens. It may happen that it will not work correctly with some cameras. Details on this issue are considered by me. here

Image quality and sample photos

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 is a rather specific lens and its optical capabilities should be evaluated taking into account the fact that it is a circular fisheye. Uncorrected distortion is its strong point, not a disadvantage. The center of the image is sharp already from F / 2.8, when the aperture is closed, the sharpness increases significantly throughout the entire circle. Closer to the edges of the circle appears a large number of chromatic aberrations. Working in the backlight does not cause problems. In general, Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 creates a picture with decent image quality.

Important: the circle with the image fills the entire field of the frame poorly (a large distance from the horizontal borders of the frame to the inner circle with the image). The diameter of the circle is 12.3 mm (the height of the APS-C sensors is in the region of 14-16 mm). Apparently the lens was designed taking into account the possibility of using a circular fisheye on the 4/3 SLR cameras in which the sensor has crop factor Kf = 2.0 and a frame height of 13.5 mm. At the same time, Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 was never released for 4/3 or Micro 4/3 mount. By the way, Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 on cameras Sigma SD9, SD10, SD14, SD15 with Kf = 1.74 also remains a circular fish. On the Internet, most examples of photos with Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 are cropped to the proportions of the square in which the circle is inscribed, which can create a false idea about the lens.

Important: problems with metering may occur with this lens exposure... Since a huge part of the frame is just a dark background, the camera may set the exposure values ​​incorrectly. With Canon cameras and Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 lenses, I recommend using 'Partial' or 'Spot' metering exposure... With 'Evaluative' and 'Center-weighted' metering exposure most likely, the frame will be overexposed and you will need to make appreciable corrections with '+ -'.

Examples are shown without treatment. Photos taken using RAW ('.CR2') file conversion with Canon original utility Digital Photo Pprofessional 4 (Canon DPP) without any changes. The control mode was 'Standard' with default settings '3/0/0/0'. While shooting, I made a critical mistake - I shot some shots with the camera in vertical orientation, for a fisheye lens there is no special value, whether it is landscape or vertical orientation. The circle remains a circle.

Original RAW photos (14-bit '.CR2') can be download from this link (30 files, 500 MB)

My experience

Sigma acted very wisely by introducing two similar lenses at the same time: a circular fisheye 4.5 / 2.8 and a diagonal fisheye 10/2.8... Whoever loves something will buy it.

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 is unusual. Getting interesting shots from such a lens is not always easy, but learning this is fun and enjoyable.

I prefer diagonal fish more, among which there are more choices and less price tags. Some inexpensive Samyang 8mm 1: 3.5 UMC FISH-EYE CS II Aspherical may be a good start to familiarize yourself with fish.

Alternatives

Below is a list of all ultra-wide angle lenses with auto focus support for cameras with an APS-C sensor (crop Kf = 1.5-1.6X) whose focal length is less than or equal to 14 mm.

Tokina (for different mounts):

With moderate aperture:

1. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24 mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
2. promaster Digital af 12-24 XR EDO F4 Aspherical, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
3. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24 mm F4(IF)DX II aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
4. Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
5. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX V, Canon EFS only

Aperture:

1. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, since 2007, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
2. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8(IF)DX II ASPHERICAL, since 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
3. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX V, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
4. Tokina atx-i 11-16mm F2.8CF, since 2019, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
5. Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F2.8E, since 2022, for Sony E, black/white
6. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-20 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, from 2014, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
7. Tokina atx-i 11-20mm F2.8CF, since 2020, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
8. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 14-20mm F2 (IF) DX, from 2015, for Nikon F, Canon EFS

fisheye:

1. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 mm F3.5-4.5DX AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
2. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 mm F3.5-4.5 DX NH AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
3. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 F3.5-4.5 DX AT-X V NH, Canon EFS only

Tamron (for different mounts):

1. Tamron SP 10-24 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 Di II B001, from October 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony A. Japan / China / Vietnam
2. Tamron 10-24 mm F/3.5-4.5 Diii VC HLD-B023, from February 2017, for Nikon F and Canon EFS
3. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​DI II SP AF 11-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6 [IF] A13, since 2005, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D and Sony 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 DT (SAL1118) lenses are built on the same optical scheme )
4. Promaster Digital EDO AF Aspherical LD ​​(IF) 11-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
5. Tamron 11-20 mm F / 2.8 Di III-A RXD B060, from April 2021, only for Sony E

Sigma (for different mounts):

1. Sigma 4.5 mm 1: 2.8 EX DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE, since 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. Since 2008 for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A
2. Sigma 10 mm 1: 2.8 DC FISHEYE HSM, from 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. In 2008 a version for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A was released
3. Sigma 8-16 mm 1:4.5-5.6 DC HSM, since 2010, Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony/Minolta A
4. Sigma 10-20 mm 1: 4-5.6 DC EX [+ -HSM, + -D], since 2005 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F, Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A. Since 2008 for 4/3 SLR system. 'D' prefix for select Nikon and Sony / Minolta A only. HSM motor only available for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F and 4/3. The Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A versions have a different appearance (there is no focusing distance window). There are two sub-versions: with a matte finish and with a velvet finish on the body.
5. Sigma 10-20 mm 1: 3.5 DC HSM EX, since 2009, for Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony / Minolta A
6. SIGMA 10-18 mm 1:2.8 DC DN C, from 2023, for Sony E, FujiFilm X and Leica L

Nikon DX (for Nikon F mount):

1. Nikon DX AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5 mm 1: 2.8G ED
2. Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 10-20 mm 1: 4.5-5.6G
3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 10-24 mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED SWM IF Aspherical
4. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24 mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical
5. Nikon Nikkor ZDX 12-28mm 1:3.5-5.6PZ VR

Canon EF-S / EF-M

EF-S (Mirror APS-C)

1. Canon Zoome Lens EF-S 10-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6 IS STM
2. Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 10-22 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 USM

EF-M (Mirrorless APS-C)

1. Canon Zoom Lens EF-M 11-22 mm 1: 4-5.6 IS STM [2013]

RF-S (mirrorless APS-C)

1. CANON LENS RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM [2023]

Pentax DA (+ Samsung / Schneider-Kreuznach, for Pentax K mount):

1. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 2.8 (22) 14 mm ED [IF] (Pentax 14)
2. SMC Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm ED [IF] (Pentax 10-17) (FISHEYE, most likely optically identical Tokina Model 107)
3. HD Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm (FISHEYE, most likely optically similar to Tokina 107 NH)
4. HD PENTAX-DA * 1: 2.8 11-18 mm ED DC AW
5. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 4 12-24 mm ED AL [IF] (Pentax 12-24) (most likely optically identical Tokina Model 124)
6. Samsung Zoom Lens Fisheye D-Xenon 10-17 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
7. Samsung Zoom Lens D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24 mm ED ALcopy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124
8. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenogon 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm ED AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
9. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24 mm ED AL, copy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124

Sony / Minolta (A or E):

E-mount (E):

1. Sony E 4 /10-18 OSS (2012)
2. Sony E 4 /10-20G PZ (2022)
3. Sony E 1.8 /11 (2022)

A-mount (A):

1. Sony 4.5-5.6 /11-18 DT (SAL1118) (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)
2. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18 mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)

Samsung NX

1. Samsung Lens 1: 3.5 10 mm Fisheye
2. Samsung Lens 1: 4-5.6 12-24 mm ED I-FUNCTION

Fujifilm x

1. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 8 mm 1:3.5RWR
2. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 14 mm 1: 2.8 R
3. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS NANO-GI XF 8-16 mm 1: 2.8 R LM WR
4. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24 mm 1: 4 R OIS
5. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24 mm 1: 4 R OIS WR

Zeiss (E / X)

1. ZEISS Distagon Touit 2.8 /12 T* (Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

VILTROX (E/X/Z)

1. Viltrox AF 13mm 1: 1.4 STM ASPH ED IF C (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Leica CL/TL/T/L

1. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-T 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)
2. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-TL 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)

Samyang (E / X)

1. Samyang AF 12/2E + Samyang AF 12/2X (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

Yongnuo (E/X/Z)

Yongnuo 11mm 1:1.8 DA DSM WL S/X/Z (2023, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Do you know more similar lenses? Or do you have experience with any of them? Then be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.

Prices

Lens prices can be viewed on E-Katalog at this link, or in the price block.

Results

Sigma 4.5 / 2.8 is a unique circular fisheye for DSLR cameras with APS-C sensor. Best of its kind.

10 main advantages

1. record focal length, the only similar circular autofocus lens for APS-C SLR cameras
2. high aperture (higher than Tokina Fisheye 10-17 / 3.5-4.5)
3. built-in HSM ring motor with FTM support
4. fast focusing, internal type focusing
5. very small MDF, which allows you to take interesting creative shots
6. Sigma EX Series Professional Lens
7. good build quality: metal mount, rubberized focus ring, the possibility of using gelatin filters
8. SLD element in the optical circuit
9. the presence of a lens profile in most popular RAW converters (certainly there is in ACR, Lightroom)
10. good optical performance (taking into account the specifics of the lens)

10 main disadvantages

1. very high cost at the start of sales (about $ 1.200)
2. you can forget to remove the lens hood, while removing only the front cover, and take pictures for a long time
3. no hard stop for quick aiming at infinity, which is important for such a lens (the focus ring has an overrun for infinity)
4. only 6 aperture blades (and the effect of a star is only 6 rays)
5. a sound similar to a strong knock with frequent and quick changes in the direction of auto focus (observed, for example, in tracking mode in Live View)
6. all weather protection is absent, not even rubber lens mount seal
7. a circle with an image fills the frame field poorly (a large distance from the horizontal borders of the frame to the inner circle with the image)
8. perhaps there is incompatibility with some cameras (there is no exact data), the lack of data about the lens in modern cameras, which prevents some types of distortion from being automatically corrected
9. difficulty with proper metering exposure, especially with fully automatic camera control modes
10. strong chromatic aberration

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Specifically for the lens from the review many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar lenses for slr cameras.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram