1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens Version II. This manual provides essential information for the safe and effective use of your new lens. This lens is designed to offer a unique perspective with its 180° angle of view, ideal for creative photography, including panoramas and wide-angle shots in confined spaces. Its manual focus and aperture control provide photographers with full creative command, allowing for brilliant panorama shots and exciting wide-angle pictures with exceptional depth of focus.
2. Safety Information
- Do not expose the lens to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight for extended periods.
- Avoid dropping or subjecting the lens to strong impacts.
- Keep the lens away from strong magnetic fields.
- Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the lens yourself. Contact qualified service personnel.
- When not in use, attach the front and rear lens caps to protect the optical elements.
- Avoid touching the lens surfaces directly with your fingers.
3. Package Contents
Verify that all items are present in your package:
- Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens Version II
- Front Lens Cap
- Rear Lens Cap
- Removable Lens Hood
- Lens Pouch (may vary by region)
- Instruction Manual (this document)
4. Product Overview
The Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens is a manual focus, manual aperture lens designed for APS-C sensor cameras, such as Sony E-Mount/NEX models. It features multi-coated glass elements for optimal image quality and a fixed lens hood to minimize flare and reflections. The lens has a focal length of 8mm and a fast lens speed of 1:3.5, allowing for excellent shots even in less favorable lighting conditions.
Figure 4.0: The Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens Version II for Sony E-Mount/NEX.
Figure 4.1: Front view of the Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens with its integrated lens hood.
Figure 4.2: Side view of the lens, showing the focus and aperture rings, and the lens hood.
Figure 4.3: Close-up view of the bulbous front element of the fisheye lens.
Figure 4.4: The Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens shown with its removable petal-shaped lens hood detached.
Lens Components:
- Focus Ring: Used to manually adjust the focus.
- Aperture Ring: Used to manually set the aperture (f-stop).
- Lens Hood: Fixed or removable, helps reduce flare and protect the front element.
- Mounting Index: A small dot or line on the lens barrel that aligns with a corresponding mark on your camera body for proper attachment.
5. Setup
5.1 Attaching the Lens
- Ensure your camera is turned off.
- Remove the rear lens cap from the lens and the body cap from your camera.
- Align the mounting index (white dot) on the lens barrel with the corresponding mounting index on your Sony E-Mount camera body.
- Insert the lens into the camera mount and rotate it clockwise until it clicks into place. Do not force the lens.
5.2 Detaching the Lens
- Ensure your camera is turned off.
- While pressing the lens release button on your camera body, rotate the lens counter-clockwise until it stops.
- Carefully remove the lens from the camera mount.
- Attach the rear lens cap to the lens and the body cap to your camera to protect them from dust and damage.
Figure 5.1: Diagram showing the Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens mounted on a camera body, with overall dimensions indicated.
6. Operating the Lens
6.1 Manual Focus
This is a manual focus lens. To achieve sharp images:
- Set your camera to Manual Focus (MF) mode.
- Look through the viewfinder or use the camera's LCD screen.
- Rotate the focus ring on the lens until your subject appears sharp. Many modern cameras offer focus peaking or magnification aids to assist with manual focusing. Refer to your camera's manual for these features.
- For fisheye lenses, due to their wide depth of field, precise focusing is often less critical, especially at smaller apertures (higher f-numbers) and for distant subjects. The minimum focusing distance is approximately 0.3 meters.
6.2 Manual Aperture Control
The aperture (f-stop) is controlled directly on the lens:
- Rotate the aperture ring on the lens to select your desired f-stop (e.g., f/3.5, f/5.6, f/8, etc.).
- A smaller f-number (e.g., f/3.5) indicates a wider aperture, allowing more light and creating a shallower depth of field.
- A larger f-number (e.g., f/22) indicates a narrower aperture, allowing less light and creating a greater depth of field.
- Your camera should be set to a manual exposure mode (M) or aperture priority mode (A) to properly utilize the manual aperture control.
6.3 Understanding Fisheye Perspective
This 8mm fisheye lens produces a distinct barrel distortion and a 180° angle of view. Straight lines not passing through the center of the image will appear curved. This effect is inherent to fisheye lenses and is used for creative purposes. Experiment with different compositions to achieve unique results.
7. Maintenance
7.1 Cleaning the Lens
- Lens Body: Use a soft, clean cloth, slightly dampened with water or a mild cleaning solution, to wipe the exterior of the lens.
- Lens Elements:
- First, use a blower brush to remove any loose dust or particles.
- If smudges or stubborn dirt remain, apply a small amount of lens cleaning fluid to a clean lens cleaning cloth (microfiber) and gently wipe the lens surface in a circular motion from the center outwards.
- Never apply cleaning fluid directly to the lens surface.
7.2 Storage
- Always attach the front and rear lens caps when the lens is not in use.
- Store the lens in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and high humidity.
- If storing for extended periods, consider using a dehumidifying agent or a dry cabinet to prevent mold growth.
8. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Images are blurry/out of focus. | Incorrect manual focus. | Ensure your camera is set to MF mode. Use focus peaking or magnification on your camera to assist with precise focusing. Rotate the focus ring until the subject is sharp. |
| Images are too dark or too bright. | Incorrect aperture setting or exposure. | Adjust the aperture ring on the lens. Ensure your camera's exposure settings (shutter speed, ISO) are appropriate for the lighting conditions and chosen aperture. Use your camera's light meter. |
| Lens cannot be attached/detached. | Misalignment or lens release button not pressed. | Ensure the mounting index marks are aligned. For detachment, firmly press the lens release button on the camera body while rotating the lens. Do not force. |
| Dust or smudges on images. | Dust on lens elements or camera sensor. | Clean the lens elements as described in the Maintenance section. If the issue persists, clean your camera's sensor or have it professionally cleaned. |
9. Specifications
| Brand | Walimex Pro |
| Model Number | 18700 |
| Focal Length | 8mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Type | Fisheye, Wide Angle |
| Compatible Mountings | Sony E-Mount |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.3 meters (approx. 1 foot) |
| Angle of View | 180° (on APS-C sensor) |
| Product Dimensions (Diameter x Length) | Approx. 77.8 mm x 101.1 mm (3.06 in x 3.98 in) |
| Item Weight | 1.5 pounds |
Figure 9.1: Technical diagram illustrating the dimensions of the Walimex Pro 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens.
10. Warranty and Support
For warranty information, please refer to the documentation provided with your purchase or contact your local Walimex Pro distributor or retailer.
For technical support or service inquiries, please visit the official Walimex Pro website or contact their customer service department.
