Wide Angle Fisheyes . . .

[fergusd]

For years I've hankered after a really wide angle lens but never bought one - not a circular fisheye but as far as you can go without going for a round image . . . 10ish mm seems to be the digital equiv . . .

Although costly I could probably sell some unused bits a pieces to mostly fund the nikon 10.5mm/2.8 . . . but . . . anybody use one (superwide lens) on a regular basis ? . . . price from alternative suppliers doesn't seem to different so I'd probably go with the nikon . . .

Any thoughts ?

Fd

[_dobbo_]

For ages I wanted the Nikon 10.5mm but was talked out of it based on how often it would likely get used.

If it were me I'd get either the Sigma 10-20mm (nice and cheap) or maybe the sigma 12-24mm which I believe Martin (V6GTO) has, as both of these are much more versatile than a 10.5mm only.

[LongQ]

Anything approaching a fisheye is a rather niche sort of lens. I too would love one but even the old used Canon FD lenses seem to sell at prices that preclude getting one to simply have a play.

On the other hand a few people might find a way to club together and share one cost effectively.

Maybe it is just easier to hire when the fancy takes you?

[HankScorpio]

Funny you should mention hiring, I was suggesting to someone the other day that owning isn't everything...
The Nikon 200-400 VR sets you back about 4.5k but can be hired for about 50 quid a day, that's a lot of days worth!

The 10.5mm is 15/day from fixation.
I've never used them but that seems like quite a good deal for an occasional lens.

[te51cle]

I've had a 15mm Canon for many years, mainly because the shop I bought it from didn't have a clue how much it was worth. Must say that I probably only use it once in a blue moon, so hiring is almost certainly the best way to go.

[Mr Noble]

Just been diving with a chap who had the 10.5 and 12-24. The 10 does give a circular image but this can be fixed it PS CS I think. The 12-24 is a lovely lens and gave very good results but I fear that the resulat may not be worth the extra price over the sigma 10-20 which I think would get used more than you think.

I have been thinking about one of these for ages and must say I think the 10-20 is the best choice, or the 12-24 if you can't live with a non-nik brand!!

The extra 2mm at that "width" thouhg, is quite a lot!! (20%)

HTH
Greg, let us know how you get on.

Anyone out there with the sig 10-20 care to comment.?

[fergusd]

Aye, rental sounds like a good idea, of course whether anybody rents in Scotland, that I can get to during business hours, is another matter . . . then of course . . . I'd take something like this with me on holiday (planning to go to SFO/Oregon/BC this summer) and that would be 3 weeks rental, and I guess I'm not someone who plans with military precision when and where I'm going to take photos, I kinda lark about and happen to have my camera with me most of the time . . .

I do wonder whether something this wide is too niche and just how much I'd use it, and I guess I'll always wonder that unless I have one and find out . . .

Some nice images using one here : www.pbase.com/ccraft/nikon_105mm_af_f28_g_ifed_fisheye_lens_

The sigma would also be an option, cheaper as you say, perhaps more versatile too . . .

Analysing the last couple of thousand images I've taken reveals that about 80% are less than 20mm . . . excluding motorsport . . .

Fd

[V6GTO]

A couple of shots with the Sigma 12-34 DG HSM...top @ 22mm and the bottom @ 12mm.





Martin.

>> Edited by V6GTO on Tuesday 3rd January 18:04