To Fisheye or Not?
Dec 16, 2014 23:48:27 #
I am considering getting a Lensbaby fisheye lens for its creative properties. What are some uses for fisheye lenses? Macro/closeup? Landscapes only?
Dec 17, 2014 01:32:17 #
chapjohn wrote:
I am considering getting a Lensbaby fisheye lens for its creative properties. What are some uses for fisheye lenses? Macro/closeup? Landscapes only?
If you have to ask......
Dec 17, 2014 01:50:55 #
Very limited application:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Lensbaby+fisheye%22&lr=&as_qdr=all&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=cCeRVL-7NoSWyATOhIHABA&ved=0CE4QsAQ&biw=1440&bih=739
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Lensbaby+fisheye%22&lr=&as_qdr=all&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=cCeRVL-7NoSWyATOhIHABA&ved=0CE4QsAQ&biw=1440&bih=739
Dec 17, 2014 05:10:21 #
You are mixing focal lengths here:You can have some fun with fish-eye lenses, then the novelty runs out. Macro is 1:1 ratio and is not to be confused with close-up and landscape is another area altogether.
Lens-baby fish-eye lenses can be fun. I personally found them a gimmick.
Just my own thoughts.
Lens-baby fish-eye lenses can be fun. I personally found them a gimmick.
Just my own thoughts.
Dec 17, 2014 05:40:52 #
They are fun to play with. And mine is in the bag all the time. But doesn't get much time on the camera. If I had to guess, about 40-50 shots a year.:)
Erv
Erv
Dec 17, 2014 06:58:09 #
chapjohn wrote:
I am considering getting a Lensbaby fisheye lens for its creative properties. What are some uses for fisheye lenses? Macro/closeup? Landscapes only?
I'm not familiar with the Lensbaby fisheye, but I like my Sigma 15mm fisheye. That round effect can easily be corrected in post, and it can also be avoided by holding the lens level. If the price is right for you, get it and experiment.
Dec 17, 2014 09:12:34 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
I think Lens Baby is not a corrected lens set-up, therefore do not expect quality images, without CA and other problems. Good quality Fish-eye lenses will give you the fish-eye effect, but images of a more pleasing capture. Unless you have a regular use (client who wants them) the lens will soon become redundant.
Dec 17, 2014 09:21:40 #
chapjohn wrote:
I am considering getting a Lensbaby fisheye lens for its creative properties. What are some uses for fisheye lenses? Macro/closeup? Landscapes only?
I can tell you that I was rather disappointed with my Lensbaby fisheye due to what I can call a "halo effect", so I returned it.
First of all, this fish is a full 360 degree type, meaning that the image it produces is circular (and this is for a DX size imaging chip), so the effect to which @Jerryc41 refers is not the case here (the 15MM fish is provides a 180 degree view from corner to corner but fills the frame - and is for an FX size chip).
The lens to compare the Lensbaby to is Sigma's 4.5MM fisheye, another true fisheye with a circular image area made for DX cameras (their 8MM fish is made for FX cameras and also provides a circular image). The Sigma costs 3 times as much, but is far superior in that it does not produce a white ring around the periphery of the image area as the Lensbaby did. I have some examples with the Sigma that I shot years ago at the Getty Center in Los Angeles (I had rented the Sigma); I was so off put by the Lensbaby that I didn't bother saving any images I took with it last month.
Dec 17, 2014 09:23:28 #
chapjohn wrote:
I am considering getting a Lensbaby fisheye lens for its creative properties. What are some uses for fisheye lenses? Macro/closeup? Landscapes only?
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Panoramic-Fisheye-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000TQPTTM/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418826124&sr=1-6&keywords=fisheye+adapter
spend the $24.oo see if fisheye works for you, .......................if so then spend the $250.oo
Dec 17, 2014 09:44:26 #
A fisheye lens grabs a larger field of sight, but significantly distorts the photo (landscapes, etc.). I prefer staying away from distortion, and might only shoot at 18mm to grab more content. I still like a 55mm natural shot, especially in photos of people.
Dec 17, 2014 11:21:20 #
Leicaflex wrote:
You are mixing focal lengths here:You can have some fun with fish-eye lenses, then the novelty runs out. Macro is 1:1 ratio and is not to be confused with close-up and landscape is another area altogether.
Lens-baby fish-eye lenses can be fun. I personally found them a gimmick.
Just my own thoughts.
Lens-baby fish-eye lenses can be fun. I personally found them a gimmick.
Just my own thoughts.
++++++++++++++++++++++
GIMMICK.....
Totally a "different" way of producing what I may refer to as an "Abstract" of an abstract.
True.... I fisheye lens can be useful - and sometimes interesting - but can get very Boring to any view in a gallery show. And after a while the photographer making use of the fisheye will tire of it effects and "shelf" it - and or go and place it on EBAY to try to get some money for the "investment".
You must decide for yourself as to what You want to do.
You might get with another photographer who has one and give it a try BEFORE to shuck-out the CA$H for this.
Just my thoughts here.....
I have a fisheye lens 8mm .. I have used it three times, and that was in one days shoot for about 5 minutes. It has been in my lens box even since and has never saw the light of day from that time till now.
Dec 17, 2014 12:21:28 #
Thank you for all your comments. I wanted to make sure I was not missing something in my thinking (GAS can cause foggy thinking). I will wait and maybe invest in a digital frame to show my images.
Dec 17, 2014 18:53:31 #
Though my fisheye spends most of the time loaned out to friends, I never travel without it-you never know what may present itself. I use a Rokinon 8.5mm-fairly inexpensive(around $300-$350), and it produces pretty decent images. The caveat is that it is a manual lens-both in focus and aperture setting. You might consider getting a used Rokinon to see how the fisheye focal length appeals to your interests.
Dec 17, 2014 19:32:53 #
Fisheye's are fun and when I had one for my DX camera's, got some great shots. This was the Tokina 11-17 fisheye. The only one of its kind. Can be found in the $300 range. Sharp lens and wish now, I still had it. Looking now at the 16mm Nikon fisheye for full frame. Pricey little devil.
Dec 17, 2014 21:54:42 #
I have a Nikon 10.5mm full frame fisheye. I use it mainly for cityscapes, architecture, and interiors. I never use it just for the fisheye effect. I generally try to minimize the effect. I use my Sigma 10-20 more for ultrawide shots, but sometimes the FE is the only way to get it all in.
Today I would get the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower full frame FE. It is a very good lens and a lot less expensive than the Nikon. It's manual focus, but the DOF is so great that you can usually leave it on infinity or zone focus.
Today I would get the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower full frame FE. It is a very good lens and a lot less expensive than the Nikon. It's manual focus, but the DOF is so great that you can usually leave it on infinity or zone focus.
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