chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

1. I have read good things about the Pro Optic/Bower 8mm 2.8 Fisheye lens. What do you know about this lens?

2. What is best--extention tubes or 2x convertor?

3. What do you know about the t-mount Bower 650-1300mm lens?

Thank you for answering. I am gathering information on these question to see if I want to spend more money.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Extension tubes add no lens to magnification, so no additional source of distortion. Extension tubes are usually available in a set: 12-mm, 20-mm, and 36-mm. They can be used individually or in combination. Auto-Focus tubes preserve electronic connections between lens and camera. With extension tubes, your lens will focus closer to subject, and you cannot focus to distance. The more tube length, the shorter distance between lens and subject. More exposure is required, due to increased magnification.

"Doublers" (2x) add a simple lens between camera and focus-able lens. Distant focusing is still possible, but quite often, close focusing is now farther from camera. With additional 2x lens on original prime lens, image looks twice as close. More exposure is required, due to increased magnification.

Dria Loc: Ohio

Thank you. I had looked these up-- your explanation is better :thumbup:

pigpen

Bower lens:

1) There is no 2.8 bower fisheye, it's 3.5.
2) Made in South Korea by the Samyang corp.
3) Samyang makes this lens for several companies
and they put their names on it.
4) You can buy this lens as: Samyang, Bower, Vivatar,
Rokinon, and probably a few others.

I own the Rokinon. If you look, they are all about the same price, around $300. I loved this lens once I got used to it. Got it as a "toy", and ended up having very large prints made. It starts @f3.5, but that is way too soft. Between f5.6 and f11, the results are great. I don't mind manual because I shoot a lot in manual mode. The manual focus, however, is a little difficult for me because of the wide field of view. I shoot mostly landscapes and architecture, so I just leave it between 10ft and infinity. You can fix the distortion in PS, but why buy a fisheye, I love the distortion. The distortion increases when you shoot up at an object or down towards an object. You have to practice with this lens to get it right, but that is half the fun. Buy it and enjoy.

I bot the Rokinon because it just sounds cooler!!!! LOL

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

pigpen

Yes.

Unfortunately, they only have this for Nikon currently. Any other model must be fully manual.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Thank you Pigpen and Nikonian.
Pro Optic is another name that this lens uses. I am looking at the fisheye lens because of its ability to give the distoration. This lens is also made with the mount for the Sony Alpha, they are in stock at B&H.
I will do a little more looking and probably get this lens.

pigpen

I could not find the pro optic version, but the Rokinon is cheaper than both the Bower and the Vivitar versions!!

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I found the Pro Optice version at Adorama or Hunt's.