NiSi 15mm f/4 Sunstar ASPH - Lens review and specs

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15mm

Focal length

f/4

Max aperture

470 g

Weight

14mm35mm85mm200mm600mm

▲ 15mm

Max aperture

f/2

f/4

f/8

Constant Aperture

Aperturef/4

f/4f/22

Near focus1' 11"

Far focus4' 6"

Total DOF2' 7"

Hyperfocal6' 5"

Subject distance2' 8"

Focal length15 mm

Aperturef/4

SensorFull Frame

Illustrative scene preview based on this lens's focal length, aperture, and sensor coverage.

This preview uses 15mm, f/4, and Full Frame. Subject distance is estimated to keep lens previews comparable.

Min aperture: f/22
Diaphragm blades: 10

Optics

Optical construction: 12 elements in 10 groups
Special elements: 1 double-sided aspherical element, 2 extra-low dispersion (ED) elements
Coatings: Anti-reflection coating, hard surface coating

Focusing

Minimum focus: 20 cm
Max magnification: 0.13×

Physical

Weight: 470 g
Dimensions: ⌀76mm × 81mm
Filter thread: 72 mm
Hood included: Yes
Color: Black

Handling & Controls

Distance Scale: Yes

Recommended Use

Ideal for: Architecture, Landscapes, Street, Travel

Release year: 2021
Announced: Jan 8, 2021
Approx price: $499 USD
Optical correction & RAW development: NDPix Photo Editor

The best

Full-frame manual 15mm ultra-wide prime with 112° FOV and distinctive sunstars

Also

12-element optical design with ED and aspherical glass, 72mm filter thread and 470g weight

Summary

The NiSi 15mm f/4 Sunstar ASPH is an ultra-wide manual focus prime lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, blending high optical resolution with filter-friendly practicality. With a broad focal length of 15mm and an expansive 112° diagonal angle of view, it captures vast landscapes, grand architecture, interior spaces, and dramatic environmental scenes with minimal distortion. Renowned filter specialist NiSi engineered this prime with an all-metal chassis weighing 470g for long-term durability in the field.

The optical architecture features 12 elements arranged in 10 groups, incorporating one double-sided aspherical element and two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements to suppress chromatic aberrations, coma, and edge softening. A signature attribute of NiSi's Sunstar technology is its 10 straight aperture blades, specifically designed to generate crisp, sharp 10-point sunstars around point light sources from wide-open f/4 down to f/22. A close minimum focusing distance of 200mm (0.2m) provides generous creative freedom when composing dynamic foreground elements.

Featuring clearly engraved distance, depth-of-field, and aperture rings, the NiSi 15mm f/4 Sunstar ASPH accepts standard 72mm front screw-on filters as well as 100mm square filter holder systems without unwanted vignetting. It is an ideal lens for landscape, architecture, real estate, and travel photographers who value high edge-to-edge sharpness, mechanical tactile precision, and easy filter integration without having to carry oversized front adapters.

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Pros & Cons

Pros

Expansive 112° full-frame angle of view with excellent optical distortion control
10 straight aperture blades produce clean 10-point sunstars from f/4 through f/22
Advanced optical formula with 1 double-sided aspherical and 2 ED glass elements
Short 0.2m (200mm) minimum focusing distance for creative foreground perspectives
Standard 72mm front filter thread compatible with screw-in and 100mm square filter systems

Cons

Fully manual focus and aperture control with no electronic communication or EXIF
Moderate f/4 maximum aperture is less suited for low-light astrophotography
No built-in optical image stabilization
Lacks weather-sealing gaskets against harsh weather conditions
Aperture ring lacks a de-click switch for smooth video exposure adjustment