The 16mm Fisheye exhibited very little light fall-off on the Canon 1Ds Mark II (ie - dark corners when shot wide open or at faster apertures). After using the Contax 18mm F4 Distagon, I expected light fall-off to be a problem with the 16mm Fisheye. Corner illumination on the Fisheye is excellent.

The bokeh could be pleasing as well, provided the subject was very close. Invoking bokeh on a 16mm lens is challenge simply because the depth of field is huge.

PARTING THOUGHTS

I have read that the Canon EF 15mm F.8 Fisheye is also an excellent lens, though I have never shot with the one. In terms of outright sharpness, the Contax is stunningly sharp and I have shot with the Contax 21mm F2.8 Distagon, 25mm F2.8 Distagon, 28mm F2.0 Distagon and 28mm F2.8 Distagon. It is hard to compare sharpness when the difference in focal lengths is so great, but the 16mm felt every bit as sharp.

Ultimately the 16mm was sold because my most used focal lengths are 35mm to 200mm range. Creatively I have difficult time with wide angle lenses. The original seller said he did not use it much either. The person I sold it to said they have not used it much either. The Contax 16mm Fisheye is a very good lens; based on its optical merits I would give it an A+. That said, the catch-22 is its price and a question of how often it would be used. Some people live and breathe wide angle lenses; for such a person, the Contax 16mm F2.8 Distagon-F would most likely be a treasured addition to their lens kit.

Most of us do not see the world in a fisheye perspective, so it is difficult to determine which scene would make a good fisheye picture. If you are experienced photographer who knows and understands the fisheye perspective - and WANTS that look, then the Contax could be a good choice. For the rest of us, I think the Canon 15mm F2.8 is a more cost effective option.

Carl Zeiss no longer services the Contax AE lenses (MM lenses are still serviceable), so finding a 16mm AE in excellent condition is very important. Fortunately my copy had been sent to Zeiss just prior to the cut-off, so it probably was among the best performing ones. I would be apprehensive about buying Contax 16mm that showed any signs of abuse. Also the Contax needs a Canon / Contax adapter, so another added expense on top the $900-$1,500 for the lens.

Steffan Rolhloff’s website has some interesting fisheye reviews. including the Contax 16mm. His review appears to concentrate on the star circles produced by the lens when stopped down. Definitely not your typical review.

ADAPTERS FOR CANON EF AND EF-S dSLR CAMERA BODIES

Feedback from readers indicates there are no adapter issues with the 16mm F2.8 Distagon-F on Canon dSLRs - including the Canon 5D. Adapters tested include Cameraquest and Fotodiox. I used this lens on a Canon 1Ds Mark II with a HappyPageHK focus confirmation adapter. The lens reached infinity and focus confirmation worked well.

Focus confirmation is not really needed since 16mm has considerable DOF. For focusing on near field subjects, the focus confirmation adapter was helpful. However, with 16mm the FOV is very wide and a considerable amount detail falls within each auto focus’ point, so the camera may not judge focus on the intended spot / area. For more on Contax/Canon adapters, click here.