Fisheye lens 10.5 vs 12-24mm zoom

[Ban L]

I am undecided between buying a fisheye lens 10.5mm which is supposed to have nikon capture 4 software that can convert it to a wide angle picture without the barrel distortion, as against the 12-24mm wide angle zoom lens. Can anyone share their experience with any of these lenses?

[gstark]

Hi, and welcome.

I have no real experience with either lens, but to me, the 10.5 is a special purpose lens, and wouldn't be used as often as the 12-24.

And the 12-24, by definition, offers greater flexibility.

The real question though is what are your shooting needs? How often would you want to go as wide as 10.5?

[birddog114]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum!
I have the 12-24Dx and IMHO, it's more than enough in taking any photo with wide angle.
I also tried the 10.5 but refused to keep cos. it's not the way I want in WA and even use NC to de-fisheye, there's still a lack of quality after convert photo the real WA.
Happy with my 12-24Dx, the 10.5mm is not a big demand Nikon lens.

[Greg B]

Hi, and welcome.

I have no real experience with either lens, but to me, the 10.5 is a special purpose lens, and wouldn't be used as often as the 12-24.

And the 12-24, by definition, offers greater flexibility.

The real question though is what are your shooting needs? How often would you want to go as wide as 10.5?

For example, do you have an extremely large cat and wish to take very close up photos of it?

[Glen]

Greg, how big is your cat??

[Greg B]

Just normal Glen - see avatar.

I thought that maybe Ban L had a large cat/dog/item of interest....

Ah, memories of Mrs Slocum in Are You Being Served.......

[Glen]

Greg, I thought the head was the tip of the iceberg

Ban L, most things I have read say that a corrected 10.5 is no substitute for a wide angle. Which sort of makes sense, how good can software be?

[Deano]

Gidday,

I have just bought the Sigma 12-24 lens instead of the Nikon DX lens because:
a. The Sigma lens is cheaper
b. The Sigma will work on a full frame camera (for future) where the DX lens will not work at all focal lengths (see Thom Hogan's review).
c. The Sigma got good write-ups. (see here... http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/show ... &thecat=29 )

The downside is that the Sigma has a curved front element which means that screw on filters can not be used. The Nikon has a flat front element and will accept screw in filters.

I have not yet used the lens but do expect it to perform well.

Cheers
Dean

[birddog114]

Deano,
Seen and tested the Sigma, it's a nice piece of glass from Sigma, just disappointed about the front filter as you mentioned, so I turned to Nikon instead of.
Future of the full frame another 5 years I guessed, at that time thing will change, I was the one been waiting but ditched it off cos could not see any light, and it'll be so expensive to acquire.
You'll enjoy the Sigma.