Was "Selecting a Fisheye" Now "an ultra-wide&

[yalcinaydin]

*** To be used with Canon 5D which means no crop factor.
If I want buy a fish eye, what should I choose from the below list and why?
- Leica Elmarit-R 16/2.8
- Nikon Nikkor 16/3.5
- Canon EF 15/2.8 (please ignore the AF)
- Contax 16/2.8 F-Distagon
- Carl Zeiss 16/2.8 HFT F-Distagon (fisheye)

And what is the status of "Zenitar 16/2.8" against these?

Let's say I've a budget like 600USD to spend on a fish eye and thinking of using it with DxO software to eliminate the distortion or should I choose a ultra-wide with a similar cost or a "Canon 17-40 L" maybe?

I'll make a monthly lens budget from my sellery to complete my list with 16mm, 35mm, 300mm and 500mm.

[piticu]

I heard nothing but good words about Tokina at-x 116 pro dx ( 11-16mm f2.8 ). It will cost you around 600$ new on ebay.

[Carlsson]

Depends, if you can live with strong dissortion and/or you will loose some % with DxO, then a fisheye is ok.

Can't say anything about the other lenses, but I like the Canon 2.8 15mm Fish. Sharpness is good, low CA and neutral colors.

Ok its AF but since its nearly 20 years old, I feel comfortable with it.

Can't tell about the corners, because I use it only on my 40D.

[F16SUNSHINE]

I think that this is folly. Software correction is "correction" never perfect.
Find a good rectilinear 20mm and take a pass on software correction of fisheye lenses.
Flek 4/20 for half your budget around $250-$300
Flek 2.8/20 for $300-$400
Zuiko 3.5/21 for $400-500 sometimes much less worth every penny of $500
Contax Zeiss 4/18 $500-800 I bought a perfect late MM version from Adorama for $450.
Some copy variation in these (corners and S -shaped distortion).
This lens can be remarkable or so-so be prepared to sell and take another one to get it right.

Or cheaper with Tokina 3.5/17 for about $100 pretty good by 5.6-8 Marketed by Vivitar name also
Tamron SP 17 for $150-200 better than Tokina

Or the film route with a Leica thread mount RF and CV 4.5/15 $360 for lens
Body your choice of $20 - $many thousand.

I hope this helps you decide. Fisheye is fun for fisheye shots. It is not fun to correct although,
some have had success and surely they will post behind my statements shortly.

[yalcinaydin]

Thanks for the feedback.
Tokina is a very good lens but isn't it a APS-C lens?
I also asked myself 16mm fisheye or a bit less wide normal lens. Flek 20/2.8 look the most logical solution at the moment.
I've seen an Exakta mount Flek 20/4 for something like 150USD, is it as good as the later versions?

[sichko]

Ken Rockwell describes the use of the Tokina on a Nikon D3.

[yalcinaydin]

[yalcinaydin]

DxO with fisheyes: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/dxo/optics-pro.htm

[kds315*]

I wonder why you did not consider the really excellent Olympus 2.8/8mm fisheye - or do you only want 16mm full frame?

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/shared/zuiko/htmls/fish8mm.htm

[yalcinaydin]

[Attila]

18mm Olympus OM is your lens if you find it.

[kds315*]

[LucisPictor]

I am still a little confused. Are you looking for a fisheye, because of the effect, for a fisheye with a correction software or for a ultra-wide angle (rectalinear)?

If you're only after the effect, go for the Zenitar 2.8/16 - cheap and still excellent.

If you are looking for an ultra-wide lens, I'd like to second the CZJ 4/20 suggestions. And save the rest of your budget for another lens you might want to have.

The fantastic 18mm and 21mm Zuikos will perhaps be beyond your budget, but chances are good that you can find a mint copy for your money.

The great thing about these Zuikos is - after what I have seen - that they perfectly deliver on a full frame cam!

[yalcinaydin]

[F16SUNSHINE]

Take the Zuiko 3.5/21

You can have one of mine for $400.
I think he has one available.
It's the perfect lens for your needs.
I never tried the 18mm.
Attila has both and prefers the 21.
I think that his opinion and experience counts foe quite a bit . don't you?
The Z 21 is higher rated even than the Contax 18.
Having used both I have to say they are just different.
The contax is zeissy. The zuiko a bit better controlled overall and smaller.
In use I prefer the zuiko. The small size and front ring aperture control make for a nice user.
I'm happy for you that you give up on the fisheye idea and software fix.

BTW
You can also check with Orio for a flek 4/20.
I think he has one available.
It is very good with distortion as well and the colors are really nice.

[kds315*]

How about the Pentax 15mm rectilinear (>110 degrees FOV)?
Would also fit Eos....and about the budget.

[yalcinaydin]

[Attila]

[LucisPictor]

OK, that's a plan...

- Buy Andy's Zuiko 3.5/21 now. I don't think that you will find this lens for such a price again.
- Get the Leica Elmarit-R 2.8/35 later (and you know how much I like this lens), it's a very common lens and you will find it for a good price frequently.

What do you think?

P.S.: If I had $400,- left at the moment, I would buy Andy's lens immediately!!!

[yalcinaydin]

I couldn't get the Leicas* which is good and bad at the same time
I've bid on a Contax Distagon 18/4 with US $190.00 just to watch it closely, let us see the closing price of it.
Now it seems like Zuiko or Flektagon will be the choice.

* Elmarit-R 35/2.8: I gave 150USD but ended with 183USD
Elmarit-R 135/2.8: I again gave 150USD but ended with 153USD (that was close ). I've a slightly better lens, Rolleinar 135/2.8 but I just one to own a Leica

[yalcinaydin]

[bawang]

It's somewhat of a catch 22, lens first or body first. My advise is to hold on about getting the lens for now (caveat: if you can get Andy to keep his Z21 for you - rarely available; the 4/20 Flex/ Leicas are common sight on ebay.). Go for the FF body.

Currently I have a good set of wides - Zuiko 21/2, 24/2.8 and 28/3.5, other 28s by Yashica ML/ Tak plus many 35s Tak, Flek, Yashinon, etc. BUT I can't appreciate them as they should be appreciated with a crop cam That's why I have been trying to sell some lens. bodies and save up for a FF body.

When I need to go wide, I am forced to use my EF-S10-22, while not a bad lens, I still prefer to go MF

Did I just add to your headache...sorry, it wasn't intended.

Good Luck.

[Attila]

Go wide is very easy use film and below+crop dslr what poilu did.

[yalcinaydin]

[DSG]

Have you considered the Sigma 14mm f3.5?...I bought an FD mount one and converted it to M42 mount.