Samyang Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 UMC Fisheye CS II Review

The Samyang Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 UMC Fisheye CS II is a compact, manual-focus ultra-wide prime designed for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds sensors. At $259, it offers an affordable entry into fisheye photography, delivering a dramatic 180-degree field of view that's useful for action sports, creative vlogging, and experimental cinematography. Build quality is straightforward, with all-metal construction and multi-coated optics to reduce flare.

This is a fully manual lens, so you'll need to focus and set aperture by hand, which can be a learning curve for shooters used to autofocus. The fisheye distortion is pronounced, which is the point, but it won't suit every project. Sharpness at the center is generally good for the price, though corners soften predictably. It's a solid choice if you want the fisheye look without spending significantly more, especially for occasional creative use rather than everyday shooting.