[bigshot]

Focus isn't a problem with fisheyes. They have a tremendous depth of field. A lot of them are fixed focus anyway. Resale value isn't a problem either. Nikon fisheyes usually sell for almost as much used as new.

The problem with a fisheye is the distortion... The reason pros use fisheyes is mostly to get a 180 degree view for processing into a Quicktime VR panorama. They can be used for "arty" shots like you say, but the distortion is a pretty specific effect. The novelty wears off soon.

I considered getting a fisheye myself, but instead, I decided to get the Tokina 11-16 2.8. It has a tremendous field of view, but with extremely straight lines. It's much more versatile than a true fisheye and it's razor sharp.

Ken Rockwell just posted a great article on how to shoot with ultra wides. Great tips on how to get the most out of them. Check it out. How to Use Ultra-Wide Lenses

See ya
Steve

 

[Poohblah]

lenses tend to have high resale values, so i wouldn't worry about it.
focusing isn't a problem, so long as there is plenty of light you can use a small aperture and simply zone focus.


concerning extension tubes: they won't work with the kit lens (18-55) or any other G mount lens for the lack of an aperture ring.

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poohblah /img/forum/go_quote.gif concerning extension tubes: they won't work with the kit lens (18-55) or any other G mount lens for the lack of an aperture ring.

Glad you pointed that out. Thanks poohblah.

 

[Poohblah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ken Rockwell just posted a great article on how to shoot with ultra wides. Great tips on how to get the most out of them. Check it out. How to Use Ultra-Wide Lenses See ya Steve

Ken Rockwell, my foot. i've never seen a less reliable source of accurate information.

 

[bigshot]

Ken Rockwell is a lightning rod for anger from armchair shutterbugs who would rather shoot test charts than real subjects. People who actually shoot pictures can get lots of great info from his site. The article I linked to has some great examples of better ways to compose shots using an ultra wide. If you plan on shooting pictures with one, you might want to read it.

He has a good article on the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye and using a sunex circular fisheye to create QT VR panoramas too.

See ya
Steve

 

[Poohblah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ken Rockwell is a lightning rod for anger from armchair shutterbugs who would rather shoot test charts than real subjects. People who actually shoot pictures can get lots of great info from his site. The article I linked to has some great examples of better ways to compose shots using an ultra wide. If you plan on shooting pictures with one, you might want to read it.

are you kidding me? he's the one who shoots brick walls to test his lenses.

 

[bigshot]

Some losers spend their time photographing color test targets, sheets of classified ads, brick walls, resolution patterns, star targets, and anything except something that would result in a decent photo. That's why we all call this the Wall of Shame. Its shameful, since that same time could have been spent photographing something interesting instead of a blank wall or jacking around with test targets. Don't let this happen to you! --Ken Rockwell

See ya
Steve

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poohblah /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ken Rockwell, my foot. i've never seen a less reliable source of accurate information.

I have. President Bush.

 

[Poohblah]

interesting link. whatever.

my point is that you can't rely on his website for information because it's next to impossible to tell when he's joking or not - he admits himself that he is sarcastic or joking quite often in his articles. there is one other reason i don't like his website, and that is because he insists "you don't need a tripod if you shoot digital" and that wide aperture lenses aren't useful anymore. are you serious? my tripod and 50mm f/1.4 are the best things that ever happened to my photography bag.

might be a good source of information for the soccer mom photographer, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towert7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have. President Bush.

good point.

 

[Arainach]

He has a point. Tripods and fast glass were absolutely essential when shooting film since (A) you couldn't change your ISO at will and (B) anything much above ISO 200 (400 maybe) became grainy and crap. My simple D50 produces very usable results at ISO800, and Nikon's most recent offerings (D300, D700, D3) all have ISO3200 as good as my D50's ISO800. Add in the increasing prevealence of VR and for anything but fast-moving shots, tripods and fast glass become a luxury that 99% of people don't absolutely need.

 

[Poohblah]

that's true, yes. but he needn't say that tripods and fast lenses no longer have a place, because that's what he actually says - "throw away your tripod" and "tripods are relics."

that's, i suppose, what i actually don't like about him - he does have good points in some of his articles, but then he goes on to insist that the way he goes about things applies to everyone. he comes off as very arrogant.

 

[bigshot]

Ken Rockwell's recommendations for good tripods and what applications they are useful for.

See ya
Steve

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poohblah /img/forum/go_quote.gif that's true, yes. but he needn't say that tripods and fast lenses no longer have a place, because that's what he actually says - "throw away your tripod" and "tripods are relics." that's, i suppose, what i actually don't like about him - he does have good points in some of his articles, but then he goes on to insist that the way he goes about things applies to everyone. he comes off as very arrogant.

That's not the message I pull away from his articles.
I wish there were more people who are as down to earth.

 

[OverlordXenu]

Ken Rockwell has many, many, many good points...and he kids around, a lot. You have to read his stuff carefully, to see if he is being serious or not. He writes stupid crap sometimes, but he can write a lot of good stuff, too.

He's like the people here who don't obsess and try to be logical about their equipment (like bigshot or monolith).

 

[Poohblah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towert7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wish there were more people who are as down to earth.

i could not disagree more. but i'm not going to argue over your opinion, since it is, after all, your opinion.