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Aug 11, 2020 18:46:23   #
kcj Loc: Seneca SC
 
What does anyone know about the Meike 8 mm fish eye lens

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Aug 11, 2020 19:13:32   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
Fish eye lenses do exactly what they claim. The first element is overtly convex that its potential is limited. They can take a broad image and squeeze it together. There are problems here. The intended objects of the photo most likely be indistinguishable. Another problem when photographing a group of people is that people on the edges will look overweight. You can rent a lens such as this to avoid a major outlay of cash. I bought one, and I rarely use it.

Happy Shooting!

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Aug 11, 2020 20:27:07   #
User ID
 
kcj wrote:
What does anyone know about the Meike 8 mm fish eye lens


Don’t know if mine is the same one. Many of these brand names are all the same product. Using it in m4/3 it fills the frame. Might be rather similar on APSC but on FF you’d prolly need a bigger lens.

It seems that most visible image flaws in rectilinear lenses stem from the attempt to banish distortion. Fisheyes are verrrry sharp all over and have no hot spotting or shadowing.

My example appears solidly made. It’s nearly immune to flare. I recall it not costing very much so it’s worth it even for sporadic use.

Speaking of sporadic use, I never carry it for “just in case” opportunities. It’s either a fisheye day or it’s not. I really believe that everyone who tries it and quits started out carrying a “just in case” fisheye and all subjects seemed to call for their “do it all” zoom instead. Seems stoopidly obvious when you think about it.

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Aug 12, 2020 01:49:20   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
I understand your points here. I always used to seeing (no pun intended) the fish eye lens very big on distortion. As for it being a particular type of day for a particular type of lens, I have not gotten into that mindset. Perhaps, I will experiment more to get better effects.

I opted for a 24mm Tilt-Shift lens to keep in my bag. I don’t get a great deal of distortion with this lens. With the mechanism in full play, a tripod is essential. This of course can be limiting because is something else to carry.

Thanks for the critique and your experience about the lens optics.

Happy Shooting!

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Aug 12, 2020 06:51:45   #
f8lee Loc: New Mexico
 
kcj wrote:
What does anyone know about the Meike 8 mm fish eye lens


The term "fish eye" connotes a lens that, as @UserID has pointed out, is not corrected for distortion and thus causes straight lines to curve with extreme barrel distortion. In general, they offer a field of view of 180 degrees (or more).

Now there are two styles of fish eye lens - those that fill the frame and have that 180 degree field of view only when measured corner to corner, and those that project a circular image on the imaging chip or film (that is, have the full 180 degree field of view).

To further add to the confusion, a smaller imaging area (i.e. - FX versus DX versus MFT) require shorter focal lengths in order to capture the full 180 degree coverage. So while 8MM is typically used to throw the full circular image on an FX chip, on a DX chip a focal length like 4MM is required. Attached are a couple of examples I took with the Laowa 4MM f2.8 lens (which actually has a 210 degree field of view - yes, it can "see" behind itself) on a Fuji X-T3...as you can see, it is an effect that can get "old" but sometimes can make for an interesting image.

looking up at a gazebo roof
looking up at a gazebo roof...
(Download)

Mesilla church
Mesilla church...
(Download)

poppies in bloom
poppies in bloom...
(Download)

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Aug 12, 2020 07:29:04   #
User ID
 
Scruples wrote:
I understand your points here. I always used to seeing (no pun intended) the fish eye lens very big on distortion. As for it being a particular type of day for a particular type of lens, I have not gotten into that mindset. Perhaps, I will experiment more to get better effects.

I opted for a 24mm Tilt-Shift lens to keep in my bag. I don’t get a great deal of distortion with this lens. With the mechanism in full play, a tripod is essential. This of course can be limiting because is something else to carry.

Thanks for the critique and your experience about the lens optics.

Happy Shooting!
I understand your points here. I always used to s... (show quote)


No particular type of day is, for me, a fisheye day. Likewise I have no way to predict an 85mm day or a 35mm day. It’s just a personal discipline to carry a single FL and see what happens.

It’s interesting to me that you use a TS 24mm cuz so do I. What’s interesting is that you care about distortion ... and so do I, or why tote a heavy bulky 24 that ain’t exactly cheap even as used. IOW, a definite commitment.

Well, I sometimes mix fisheye imaging with my concern for distortion, by using the fisheye on a body that has built in keystone correction.

Acoarst there’s no keystoning to correct, but the ability to modify the curvature of the fisheye is a cool tool. The usual result is like a wide angle lens that’s verrrrrry poorly corrected for barrel distortion ... but which does NOT shout “Special effect, check it out!”

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Aug 12, 2020 11:00:55   #
wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX
 
User ID wrote:
No particular type of day is, for me, a fisheye day. Likewise I have no way to predict an 85mm day or a 35mm day. It’s just a personal discipline to carry a single FL and see what happens.

It’s interesting to me that you use a TS 24mm cuz so do I. What’s interesting is that you care about distortion ... and so do I, or why tote a heavy bulky 24 that ain’t exactly cheap even as used. IOW, a definite commitment.

Well, I sometimes mix fisheye imaging with my concern for distortion, by using the fisheye on a body that has built in keystone correction.

Acoarst there’s no keystoning to correct, but the ability to modify the curvature of the fisheye is a cool tool. The usual result is like a wide angle lens that’s verrrrrry poorly corrected for barrel distortion ... but which does NOT shout “Special effect, check it out!”
No particular type of day is, for me, a fisheye da... (show quote)


Interesting images, I especially like number 3. What technique do you use to stay out of the picture when the lens sees behind itself?

Bill

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Aug 12, 2020 12:22:12   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
f8lee wrote:
The term "fish eye" connotes a lens that, as @UserID has pointed out, is not corrected for distortion and thus causes straight lines to curve with extreme barrel distortion. In general, they offer a field of view of 180 degrees (or more).

Now there are two styles of fish eye lens - those that fill the frame and have that 180 degree field of view only when measured corner to corner, and those that project a circular image on the imaging chip or film (that is, have the full 180 degree field of view).

To further add to the confusion, a smaller imaging area (i.e. - FX versus DX versus MFT) require shorter focal lengths in order to capture the full 180 degree coverage. So while 8MM is typically used to throw the full circular image on an FX chip, on a DX chip a focal length like 4MM is required. Attached are a couple of examples I took with the Laowa 4MM f2.8 lens (which actually has a 210 degree field of view - yes, it can "see" behind itself) on a Fuji X-T3...as you can see, it is an effect that can get "old" but sometimes can make for an interesting image.
The term "fish eye" connotes a lens that... (show quote)


The 4mm 210° fisheye by Venus Optics will actually give you a full circle with a M4/3 sensor. I have the same lens for my Panasonic G9. I know Lensbaby makes a 5.8mm for APS-C. And you’re right about being careful shooting with the 210° coverage. You consciously have to pay attention to where your hands are.

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Aug 12, 2020 12:52:54   #
dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho
 
Forgive me if I seem to be stepping on someone's toes here but so far I see nothing that answers the OP's question about Specifically the Meike 8mm lens. Everyone seems so anxious to share their experiences with fish eye lenses in general that nobody is answering the specific question.

I do not have a fish eye lens at all so am unable to make any comment regarding them. I have used them, both circular and full frame and love the effects of both.

But does anyone have any experience with specifically a Meike 8mm fish eye lens to answer the OP?

Dennis

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Aug 12, 2020 13:18:52   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
dennis2146 wrote:
Forgive me if I seem to be stepping on someone's toes here but so far I see nothing that answers the OP's question about Specifically the Meike 8mm lens. Everyone seems so anxious to share their experiences with fish eye lenses in general that nobody is answering the specific question.

I do not have a fish eye lens at all so am unable to make any comment regarding them. I have used them, both circular and full frame and love the effects of both.

But does anyone have any experience with specifically a Meike 8mm fish eye lens to answer the OP?

Dennis
Forgive me if I seem to be stepping on someone's t... (show quote)


Another post that doesn’t answer his question.

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Aug 12, 2020 14:01:08   #
User ID
 
wjones8637 wrote:
Interesting images, I especially like number 3. What technique do you use to stay out of the picture when the lens sees behind itself?

Bill


Those are f8lee’s pix, not mine.

I use only frame filling fisheyes, not the circular format. Circles are harder. I admire his examples.

Most likely you’d use a wireless or the self timer get yourself away from the field of view. Fortunately, I don’t have that issue with my type of fisheye.

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Aug 12, 2020 14:08:09   #
User ID
 
dennis2146 wrote:
Forgive me if I seem to be stepping on someone's toes here but so far I see nothing that answers the OP's question about Specifically the Meike 8mm lens. Everyone seems so anxious to share their experiences with fish eye lenses in general that nobody is answering the specific question.

I do not have a fish eye lens at all so am unable to make any comment regarding them. I have used them, both circular and full frame and love the effects of both.

But does anyone have any experience with specifically a Meike 8mm fish eye lens to answer the OP?

Dennis
Forgive me if I seem to be stepping on someone's t... (show quote)


I related my experience. Maybe mine’s a Meike. Several brands are identical.

If you wanna see tighter answers, then complain to the OP about his deficient question. The brand name means almost nothing, but he specified it. At 8mm the sensor size means everything but is not specified. Meanwhile, you can anticipate many more useless replies in the time honored UHH tradition.

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Aug 12, 2020 14:09:01   #
cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast
 
Limited uses. Great special effects. Somewhat of a learning curve to get good results but really great for what is works for! I use mine little but am very happy when the right situation arises.

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Aug 12, 2020 14:58:15   #
dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho
 
SuperflyTNT wrote:
Another post that doesn’t answer his question.


You are of course correct. I explained in my post that I knew nothing about the fish eye he was asking about and my reason for posting. You could have directed your post to me at every other poster including yourself right up until I chimed in and been just as accurate. How did you miss that point? Was I incorrect in my post?

Dennis

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Aug 12, 2020 15:05:30   #
dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho
 
User ID wrote:
I related my experience. Maybe mine’s a Meike. Several brands are identical.

If you wanna see tighter answers, then complain to the OP about his deficient question. The brand name means almost nothing, but he specified it. At 8mm the sensor size means everything but is not specified. Meanwhile, you can anticipate many more useless replies in the time honored UHH tradition.


How much more did the OP need to put in? He asked specifically about the Meike fisheye. Not one person gave one word of copy about THAT fisheye.

Of course brands are identical. Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Leica and others ALL make a 50mm f1.4 lens. Yet reviewers give different pro’s and con’s for each. I am sorry if you cannot see the difference.

DO you have a Meike fisheye? The OP did not ask for similar nor did he ask for general information about what these lenses are capable of. Read his question and then get back to me about how I am wrong.

I honestly can’t believe this attack on me for voicing my opinion that not one person answered the question.

Dennis

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