Fisheye, do you really need one?

[Trieu]

Hi everyone, got some questions as I am finding myself really interested in the fisheye effect (not sure if this is just a phase though...)

Does anyone out there have a fisheye lens?
How often do you use it?
Is it worth having amongst all your other lens?
Should it be last on your list, before portrait, before wide angle, before macro or the other way around?

[redline]

are you still thinking of what lenses to buy?

[Trieu]

What do you mean STILL

Hahehehaehe I think you meant ALWAYS

[losfp]

No one NEEDS a particular type of lens unless they need it for a particular purpose.

It's a cool toy, sure... But I'd be hard pressed to justify good money for a decent fisheye just to play with. Maybe if my shooting habits change. Right now, all I need is a good UWA, a good telephoto, and a good portrait. I have all those bases covered, so I have all I need.

Maybe next time with more money, I can invest in a couple of things that I WANT

[Dug]

It would be a nice toy but they have always been last on my must have list.

Standard lens

wide lens

macro lens

telephoto lens

then

fisheye lens

[sirhc55]

If you are serious about photography then you would and should know exactly what you require. There is a distinct difference between lust and practicality.

[birddog114]

Yes, if you have some spare changes and it's a fun lens.

[rmp]

I'd say only if you have a specific need for it. As a "just for fun in case I need it" it's expensive and maybe not often used. My 10-22 is used for vehicle tracking shots and vehicle interiors. That's about it.

[Killakoala]

A fisheye is very useful in tight spaces. That's why i needed one. it also allows some creative imagery too.

[stubbsy]

Trieu

Do you need a fisheye lens. No. You don't need any lens.

I do, however, think a fisheye can be quite useful. As many here know I use mine quite a bit and not always for the fisheye effect. Sometimes it just gives me an extra wide shot (the current POTW for example).

In your case Trieu I'd be going for a wide zoom before a fisheye - especially given the Canon is a 15mm whereas my Nikkor is a 10.5 and so a bit wider.

One final thought for AFTER you have a wide zoom - I use DxO Optics Pro which can partially defish fisheye shots for supported lenses (eg the Canon EF15mm f/2.8 Fisheye). With this software you get a bit more than just a fisheye lens.

The following posts show shots taken with my Nikkor 10.5 DX and many of the images have been defished this way:

http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=14411
http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=14217
http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=13889


Happy lusting

[losfp]

Peter, I think Trieu just took delivery of a Tokina 12-24, so that's his UWA covered.

I didn't know the Canon FE arsenal only extends to 16mm... I really should do my research

Really IMO you would get more use out of the 12-24, Trieu.

Of course, if you have money to burn....

Alternatively, you could simply put the FE effect in, using photoshop

[stubbsy]

Peter, I think Trieu just took delivery of a Tokina 12-24, so that's his UWA covered.

Damn I knew that. Must be old age.

[Trieu]

I WISh I had money to burn... still WISHING....

But yeah ok, might hold off on the Fisheye for now and your right about the Canon... only 15mm.

Still have yet to use my Tokina 12-24mm, weather has not given me the chance! But will be heading somewhere this Saturday morning to take some shots.

Hoping the weather clears by then

[whiz]

When the guy who sits next to me at work bought his 300D, next day he was cruising ebay for lenses.

"WOW!", he says. "Check out this fisheye on ebay for 800 dollars!"
"Yep" says I. "Lot of money for a lens you'll use once every six months, if you're lucky. Bet you'll take LOTS of photos of your NEW BABY with a lens like that."

He bought a fast wide angle and the topic of fisheye lenses never came up again.