Thoughts on the Zodiak 8 (f3.5/30mm)

[Boki]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the zodiak 8?
Has anyone used it?
Any information would be great

[themoleman342]

Fantastic! Surprisingly sharp for a fish eye. My avatar is actually taken with this lens: http://forum.mflenses.com/zodiak-arsat-30mm-kiev-88-fuji-acros-self-t28908,highlight,%2Bkiev+%2B88.html It really is only worth it if you're using it on a kiev or pentacon camera though.

This quote was taken from the Kievaholic Klub website:
"In fact, the price of Kiev lenses is what probably what attracted many Kievaholics in the first place. The existence of the superb 30mm fisheye lens alone has probably sold quite a few Kiev cameras. Many people (yes, pros included) have bought a Kiev body just to be able to use this $200 (or so) lens. To put it in perspective, the 30mm Distagon for a Hasselblad goes for about $5,000. Does the Distagon produce noticeably better photographs? Maaaaaybe. Is it $4,800 better? Hmmm."

[LucisPictor]

Surely a great lens, but still a fisheye.

You need to make sure that you know what you want to do with it.
Shoot it on medium format? OK.
Shoot it adapted to DLSR? Then you will lose some of the fisheye effect.

[Boki]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'm asking because I've stumbled upon one for really cheap, completely working in EXC+++ condition...
Costs a little under 180$

[LucisPictor]

Using that lens on a 5D is a bit like shooting with a Peleng 3.5/8 on an APS DSLR.

[aoleg]