This could be a good alternative to Canon 8-15 to have a FE mount native lens.

To be followed...

link to SonyAlphaRumors article

A review about the older manual focus version came out: https://opticallimits.com/nikon/laowa-8-15mm-f-2-8-ff-zoom-fisheye-review/

The quality looks pretty decent into the corners in the sample photos, seems quite heavy at 650 gr, though the Canon 8-16 is no lightweight either at 540 gr.

Being able to skip the adapter and extension for Sony shooters would be a weight savings. If it fits well behind any dome.

I could be wrong but from the photo it seems it's a plastic/metal mix construction while the MF version is totally metal.

13 hours ago, Grantmac said:

Being able to skip the adapter and extension for Sony shooters would be a weight savings. If it fits well behind any dome.

When used as it is, i.e. circular fisheye and/or 180° diagonal fisheye, it is certainly an advantage (in case optical IQ is o.k.). I see no way to use TCs, therefore still no substitute for Canon 8-15mm & adapter...

9 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

When used as it is, i.e. circular fisheye and/or 180° diagonal fisheye, it is certainly an advantage (in case optical IQ is o.k.). I see no way to use TCs, therefore still no substitute for Canon 8-15mm & adapter...

What makes you think you can't use the Sony TC?

2 hours ago, Grantmac said:

What makes you think you can't use the Sony TC?

There are several factors:

#1.: the prodruding element(s) of the Sony TC(s): the mechanical exception, i.e. TCs that work with almost any lens, are the Kenko TCs, that do not have such protruding elements. Native TCs (Sony, Canon EF, Canon RF, e.g.) have protruding elements that make it impossible to mount the TCs on most lenses, except the lenses for that the TCs have been designed for...

#2.: The electronic communication of Sony TCs is often blocked by the firmware, even when the native TC fits mechanically, unless it is a lens that is approved by Sony to work with the native TCs...

#3.: An exception is the arrangement Canon EF 8-15mm/Metabones V (Canon-EF to Sony FE)/Sony TC (1.4x or 2x), where the glassless adapter provides the space for the protruding element of the native TC(s) and the camera is communicating without problems with the TC/adapter/lens arrangement (It must be said, however, that this communication could potentially stop to work with any firmware update of the camera)...

=> It would be great in case it is possible to use the new AF fisheye lens with native Sony TCs, but it would be a very pleasant surprise for me in case it is possible (even if it is possible mechanically and electronically, there remains to be seen how the optical IQ is)...

Wolfgang

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by Architeuthis

Well I currently have the N100-N120 and metabones V setup; but no lens, dome or TC. So I'm not invested too much in it if this offers a more compact or cheaper option with similar IQ.

6 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

There are several factors:

#1.: the prodruding element(s) of the Sony TC(s): the mechanical exception, i.e. TCs that work with almost any lens, are the Kenko TCs, that do not have such protruding elements. Native TCs (Sony, Canon EF, Canon RF, e.g.) have protruding elements that make it impossible to mount the TCs on most lenses, except the lenses for that the TCs have been designed for...

#2.: The electronic communication of Sony TCs is often blocked by the firmware, even when the native TC fits mechanically, unless it is a lens that is approved by Sony to work with the native TCs...

#3.: An exception is the arrangement Canon EF 8-15mm/Metabones V (Canon-EF to Sony FE)/Sony TC (1.4x or 2x), where the glassless adapter provides the space for the protruding element of the native TC(s) and the camera is communicating without problems with the TC/adapter/lens arrangement (It must be said, however, that this communication could potentially stop to work with any firmware update of the camera)...

=> It would be great in case it is possible to use the new AF fisheye lens with native Sony TCs, but it would be a very pleasant surprise for me in case it is possible (even if it is possible mechanically and electronically, there remains to be seen how the optical IQ is)...

Wolfgang

The biggest issue is actually that if they make this lens in SONY mount, it will mount directly to a Sony body, no need for a converter incorporating the additional back focus needed for the DSLR lens. This is what allows the Canon 8-15 to work the Sony TC with the nose of the TC inside the converter. I think also the exceptional optical quality of the Canon 8-15 helps it work as well as it does with the 2x. TC magnify the image and the aberrations so the lenses that work well with them are exceptionally good optics..

Certainly be nice to have a native Sony fisheye, but it would be restricted to the Kenko TC, which as I recall doesn't have as good optical quality in the 2x version compared to the Sony TC.