Which Fisheye Lens?

<p>I am looking for a fisheye lens that provides nice dramatic effects (whatever "nice" means to you). I have noticed that there are quite a few from both Nikon and Sigma.</p>

<p>This lens will be used on the Nikon D300 camera.</p>

<p>Which is your favorite? Which would you recommend and why?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance,<br />Mary</p>

<p>I do so love my 10,5mm f/2.8 Nikkor - - but it's a DX lens. I have a lot of fun with it when I want to play. ;-) I was without a macro for a nature walk I took with a neighbor - the 10,5 came in handy...<br>

<img src="http://lilknytt.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p872767083-4.jpg" alt="" /><br>

and this one is actually a 66.7% crop according to NX<br>

<img src="http://lilknytt.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p1023135682-4.jpg" alt="" /><br>

At the Getty when I wanted to have more fun...<br>

<img src="http://lilknytt.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p186067366-4.jpg" alt="" /><br>

last one also from the Getty...<br>

<img src="http://lilknytt.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p21239956-4.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

<p>Mary, Like Lil I also love my 10.5mm, it is very sharp and the angle of view is addictive.</p>

<p>The Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 DX Fisheye Prime is an amazing lens. Sharp! Contrasty! Small! I have since sold it when my D300 was replaced by my D700 and I now have the 16mm f2.8 Fisheye prime.<br>

16mm (taken with Nikon 16-85mm VR):<br>

<img src="http://hull534.smugmug.com/photos/398823326_zaUZA-L.jpg" alt="" /><br>

10.5mm Fisheye:<br>

<img src="http://hull534.smugmug.com/photos/398830830_dYsye-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="532" /></p>

I've heard good things about the Sigmas (<a href="http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com/">David Zeiser</a> uses Sigma fisheyes as well as a Nikon 16mm), but myself I have only used the Nikon 10.5/2.8. See for my own results <a href="http://blog.andreas-manessinger.info/search/label/Fisheye">on my blog</a>.

<p>

When you go for a fish, don't forget to look into the <a href="http://www.imagetrendsinc.com/products/prodpage_hemi.asp">Fisheye-Hemi</a> plugin for Photoshop. It makes yor fisheye useful in many situations when you normally would avoid it. There are some examples on my blog as well.

<p>I've never been much of a fisheye fan but as long as I've had my D2H (four years now) I've been intrigued by that 10.5/2.8 Nikkor. It really seems to be a gem. It'd be a hoot to try for street photography, especially with some upcoming outdoor arts festivals. I'm not shy about getting close to subjects so it'd be fun.</p>

<p>A fishey is a special lens. It won't find much use in everyday use. That's why I use a Peleng, not too bad and affordable.</p>

<p>Nikon really knows their fisheye lenses, and I've been fortunate enough to own many. I agree with going to the 10.5mm or 16mm. Both are superb lenses that are sharp as a tack, all the way out to the edges (where many off-brands fail). Color rendition with both of these lenses is impeccable.</p>

<p>BTW, what's up with the frog image? It looks like it is impaled on a stick or blow dart.</p>

<p>Here's what the 10.5mm looks like on a "crop-body" camera.</p><div></div>

<p>i was lucky enough to pick up a sigma 15mm EX (non-DG model) on closeout for $300 (the newer model is about $600). a useful lens for wide-angle/low-light stuff, since it's f/2.8. thom hogan likes it too (http://www.bythom.com/15lens.htm ), and some say it's better than the nikon 16mm. but it's only a semi-fish on DX so i'd probably go for the 10.5 nikon if i were you, unless you have plans to upgrade to FX soon.</p><div></div>

<p>Michael,<br>

the frog had a foxtail (a grass seed) on it's skin. I was not about to touch it & potentially injure it trying to pull it out. I left it alone. It may have been the wrong decision.<br>

Lil</p>

<p>Nikon 10.5mm</p><div></div>

<p>SXSW street band performance <br>

Nikon 10.5mm at 2.8</p><div></div>

<p>Charlie. that's my foot in the corner!</p>

<p>Re-post</p><div></div>

<p>Anyone have any thoughts about the Tokina 11-17mm fish zoom? Looks unique.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>I second el chipo 8mm Peleng for casual shooting.</p><div></div>

<p>Hey, thanks for the samples, Steven! That's exactly the way I'd use a fisheye for candid people pix. Looks good. The photo of the gal on the rock climbing apparatus is really sharp.</p>

<p>Another vote for the Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye. I don't use mine that often, but when I need to pack light I find myself grabbing the fisheye and leaving the wide angle zoom at home since the 10.5 is so small and light, focuses really close and delivers punchy, vivid images with awesome color rendition. The fisheye effect can be easily undone in Nikon Capture, DxO Optics Pro or using the Hemi plug-in as mentioned above.</p>

<p>The Nikkor 16mm is also a great lens. I haven't used the Sigma 15mm myself, but it's supposedly very good; I've seen some really nice images that were made with it.</p>

<p>As you have a D300, go for the Nikkor 10.5, but a bit of a warning - it is addictive to use. Very light and quite handy in tight spaces and you will end up with plenty of shots with your feet in it. If you're shooting people, unless you don't mind distorted faces, keep the subject at the centre area. I had fun using this lens to take quirky images of cars at a car show.</p>

<p>Loving the 10.5... so another vote for that one from me! I bought it to do spherical panos, and have started having fun with it doing other shots too. I'm hoping to upgrade to a D3 sometime this year, so I'll have to start thinking about non-DX options... but as long as I'm still using my D300, the only way I'm letting go of this lens is if it's pryed from my cold, dead hands :)</p>

<p>Cheers!</p><div></div>

<p>The Russian Fisheye MC ZENITHAR 2,8/16mm is also worth looking at. I is available with all kinds of camera mounts, and it is fairly cheap and covers the FX format!</p>

<p>Cheers</p>

<p>Thank you folks for your advices and beautiful illustrations. </p>

<p>It appears the Nikon 10.5mm is favored by the majority here. Actually I was considering to buy this one. I was just wondering about other favorites out there. </p>