IRIX Firefly IL-15FF-EF 15mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
IRIX Firefly IL-15FF-EF 15mm
Overall, the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens is well-regarded by hobbyist and astrophotography users for its value and image quality, though some report softness and chromatic issues. Verified buyers praise its sharpness for stars and solid build, especially with Canon R6 and BMPCC 6K cameras. However, a long-term user warns it is not suitable for professional work due to intentional softness. The Q&A indicates compatibility concerns with certain Canon and Sony models, but general satisfaction remains high among non-professionals.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Sharp stars for astrophotography
- Solid build quality
- Great for landscape and astro
- Fast aperture f/2.8
Cons
- Softness in some copies
- Some chromatic aberration reported
- Blurry stars in astro shots
- Not suitable for professional work
- Compatibility issues with some Canon/Sony bodies
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| IRIX Firefly IL-15FF-EF 15mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 15 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 15 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 15 |
| Groups | 11 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 5★ | 3 |
| Coating | Neutrino coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.4 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.60 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 95 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Manual Focus | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 280 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 0.12x★ |
Pros & Cons
IRIX Firefly IL-15FF-EF 15mm
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong macro (72nd percentile)
- Strong social proof (66th percentile)
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Pricing
IRIX Firefly IL-15FF-EF 15mm offers 1.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
