APS-C fisheye options?

[stroberaver]

I've been thinking lately that it would be interesting to have a fisheye lens and trying to use the incredible field of view to get some unique shots, especially when on holiday or on a city break. I've seen some fisheye photos in the past of buildings and architecture and city life with such a novel approach and angle to shooting them that I thought, "I wish I could do that!"

First problem is the lack of fisheye lenses for APS-C. Obviously the full frame fisheyes lose rather a lot of their effect on an APS-C sensor, and the only APS-C fisheyes I'm aware of are those made by Sigma, and I'm not even sure if they're available in Sony/Minolta mount.

The second, and much more significant problem, is the cost. Whether full frame or APS-C, fisheyes are expensive, waaaay more than I'd ever be prepared to spend on something that would be used so rarely and so experimentally. I wouldn't even be that bothered about the image quality, I just really want something cheap to play around and experiment with.

Which got me wondering, any other options that would reduce the cost? Is there any route towards a decent fisheye effect on APS-C with older lenses via a converter, or suchlike?

Just thinking out loud here, really - it's just a flight of fancy - but any ideas welcome.

[01af]

When the two Sigma fish-eye lenses for APS-C format, 4.5 mm EX DC and 10 mm EX DC, originally were released, they were available for Canon, Nikon, and Sigma only. In the meantime, they also have become available for Pentax and Sony. Then there is the Tokina AT-X 10-17 mm DX fish-eye zoom for APS-C format which is a 'real' fish-eye only at the 10 mm setting---but that's available for Canon and Nikon only. Finally there's the Nikon AF DX Fish-eye Nikkor 10.5 mm G which of course is available for Nikon F mount only.

You may try getting an 8 mm fish-eye lens for 35-mm full-frame format in the M42 screw mount from the used market, e. g. the Peleng 8 mm 1:3.5, plus an M42-to-A-mount adapter, and experiment with that. Those are made to render a round image within the 35-mm frame; on APS-C they are almost frame-filling with only some vignetting in the corners. Slight cropping would get rid of the vignetting so you'd get a diagonal angle of view of 180°. If you want a circular image with 180° diagonally, vertically and horizontally then the Sigma 4.5 mm EX DC is your only option ... and yes, that's pretty expensive.

-- Olaf

[Dusty]

I have a fisheye adapter - an external lens that screws on via the filter threads - that I used for just such effects in the film days. I don't have the right adapter to use it on my a350 lenses, but I did once hold it up to the lens, and did get that effect. I don't remember if I had already focused or if it focused w/ the fisheye held in place. I'll dig it out and try it again, then I'll have to find the right adapters to use it on my lenses!

Dusty

[dkloi]

I got the Sigma 10mm/2.8 diagonal fisheye on APS-C and have been using it for doing many spherical panoramas recently. Take a look at http://www.360cities.net/profile/daniel-oi and the more recently taken panos. Previously I either used the wide end of the Tamron 17-50mm and took about 30 shots, or else used the Peleng 8mm fisheye via an M42 adapter. The latter lens is fairly inexpensive as far as fisheye lenses go, but you get what you pay for, namely manual focus (not a biggie as fisheyes have tremendous depth of field), manual stop down (catches me out every so often), not the greatest of coatings so flare and contrast can be troublesome sometimes. In comparison, the Sigma 10mm is wonderful, pretty sharp, good contrast and flare resistance. I got mine for about 570 quid.

If you just want a fisheye to play around with, the Peleng isn't too bad. I managed to make some good panos with it despite the flare problems but as a "straight fisheye", it works well for the price (about a third of what I paid for the Sigma). I got mine from Ebay (my first Ebay purchase in fact).

[David Kilpatrick]

Welcome to the forums Daniel! I would be interested in your photographs from the Sigma fisheye, and so would Richard, who looks after the www.sigmauser.eu website and forums.

David

[dkloi]

Welcome to the forums Daniel! I would be interested in your photographs from the Sigma fisheye, and so would Richard, who looks after the http://www.sigmauser.eu website and forums.

David

Thanks for the welcome, finally got around to registering. I'll see if I can get some "straight" fisheye shots, I've hardly used it for anything other than panos. Problem is find suitable scenes which show the extreme field of view and fisheye mapping to best effect.

Cheers,
Daniel.

[David Kilpatrick]

The Botanic Gardens (Kelvingrove?) glasshouses are a classic fisheye subject - lots of lines to show the mapping. I think the SECC is another, and the covered walkway over the river. I don't know the Glasgow Metro well but most underground rail stations are great fisheye targets - the round tube does not show distortion and the trains coincide with radial not tangential geometry, so they look normal too. I've also found fisheyes work very well on small to medium sized boats, provided any masts are kept central and the sea horizon is mid-picture - curves of the boat work well.

But even straight architecture can work OK, the cover of the current Kelso and District OS map is a fisheye (Peleng 8mm) pic of mine on A100 I think.

David