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Zenitar fisheye 16 2.8


federico2

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Has anyone tried the cheap Zenitar fisheye 16mm f:2.8 on a nikon F100 or equivalent? Is it

worth the 150$ it costs? I'd like to try fisheye photography but haven't got enough money

to purchase a nikon fisheye and was wondering whether this russian lens is good enough.

I'm a bit suspicious towards russian equipment as the quality control seems to be

sometimes really lacking.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Best regards, Federico Sartorio

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I definitely think it was worth the $130 I paid but it is definitely not a Nikkor lens. At f8 the corners seem sharp enough for me but I have not compared it with the 16mm Nikkor. My problem with the lens is flare when the sun is just out of the frame. <p> Since you have an F100 you could get a used manual focus Nikkor fisheye. That will definitely hold value more than a new Sigma lens and should be around the same price (~450)
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<p>I got the Zenitar for only $75, and have seen it for closer to $100 here and there (though not on ebay, where it is about $130-$150, I believe). I think it's great - a lot less than the Nikkor or even the Sigma, especially since most people say that fisheye is something that'll wear off sooner rather than later (though I still enjoy using it quite a bit). I haven't had any quality control issues, and it seems quite well built. If you're wanting to merely "try" fisheye, I think it's the best option.

 

<p>I find the corners quite acceptably sharp at f8 or f11 and smaller.

 

Some samples, on a N70:

 

<p><a href="http://www.pbase.com/romosoho/image/31979552">Fort Baker Fisheye</a><BR>

<a href="http://www.pbase.com/romosoho/image/24487537">Union Sqare Fisheye</a><br>

<a href="http://www.pbase.com/romosoho/image/25115846">Embarcadero Center</a>

 

<p>allan

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For the price of about $150 Zenitar fisheye which is what I paid for and used on my N90s and F4s, it absolutely worth it. I have no comparison with Nikkor fisheye in any chance, but I guess that it's only for fun to me, I wouldn't spend $400+ on a Nikon's for probably a 25% better optical quality. Unless you're a heavy user on fisheye, go for the Nikon's. Couple cents.
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Thank you all for the nice pieces of advice. I think i'll definitely buy a zenitar sooner or

later because fisheye photography intrigues me but i certainly wouldn't use such a lens

very often. I'm sure old nikkors are much better, but they still cost more than three times

the zenitar. Thank you everybody!

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