Tips for using fisheye lenses?

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matt_wright

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Matt Wright
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Hi i have just got hold of a Samyang 8mm fisheye

Just wondering what tips had for getting the best out of this lens

in terms of best way to focus (given that it is MF) and also the best type f subjects to use fisheyes for.

I have bought it as i have alwyas like the idea of having one and like the distorortion it gives.

Is their anything you guys would say you must do or must photograph that i might not otherwise think of!

Cheers
Matt
 
Based on my experience with a Tokina fisheye zoom, I tend to use the lens in cloudy overcast weather. Simply because if you are using it in sunlight and facing south the sun will appear in the shot and cause exposure problems - I usually end up exposing for the sky and then exposing for the foreground and blending in photoshop. If you are facing north on a sunny day, your shadow is likely to appear in the shot.

But try out any subject that appeals to you and have fun :)
 
If you're walking whilst looking through the camera, things are closer than you think.
 
If you're doing close focussing, do it very carefully - it's easy to bang the front of a fisheye on the subject even though through the viewfinder it looks miles away.

Also, when focussing at very close range (inches) you do have to watch your focussing, especially if you AF with lock then recompose..... it's easy, on inspection on a computer, to find that the focus wasn't spot on. There is a definite need to focus correctly, as setting a 'catch all' focus distance as advised above isn't always the best way.
 
Subjects - whatever you want. Just go out and experiment.

You'll quickly pick up how the distortion works. If you shoot straight on to your subject, and level, then there is far less distortion than if you shoot at an angle. Very obvious through the viewfinder as you move about, so you can learn how to control it to your advantage.

Focus on what you want to be in focus, just like any other lens. Don't fall for the old, the depth of field is so huge you don't need to bother, rubbish. :thumbs:
 
I too have that lens, just adds a smile to every picture I take with it. As said above, when looking through the viewfinder make sure you don't get too close as I found out when I hit my partner in the face with it when trying to take a picture of her! As for focusing I rarely take mine off infinity, its just not needed unless you want to focus in on something really close but even then you can barely tell.


Winter Farm House B+W by bensambrook, on Flickr
 
Jayst84 said:
Focus on what you want to be in focus, just like any other lens. Don't fall for the old, the depth of field is so huge you don't need to bother, rubbish. :thumbs:
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I second that....I use a Nikon Fisheye....I still focus....it's not really too much of an effort is it?!!!!
 
HMansfield said:
If you're walking whilst looking through the camera, things are closer than you think.
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And if you are at the sea shore, be very careful when photographing the incoming tide. That's voice of experience having had to walk home in wet boots.
 
Firefire said:
I second that....I use a Nikon Fisheye....I still focus....it's not really too much of an effort is it?!!!!
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I can see why people say no need to focus. Even at F4 you can have everything from 1.6 ft to infinity in focus.
 
My tip... keep elbows and feet tucked away, don't try to angle lower than the horizon or you definitely will get legs/feet/tripod in the shot - move the camera lower rather than tilting down.

I use a Nikon 10.5 fisheye and its my fave bit of kit by a long way :)
 
john-oh said:
Set and forget : http://www.dofmaster.com/hyperfocal.html.

With my Siggy and a 40D I get corner cut off, but if required that's easily fixed with 'De fish' software.
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I don't by that as a 'catch-all' solution. As said, with close focus you need to nail the focus. Setting the focus and leaving may work for general shooting and landscapery but it's not fail-safe....
 
Don't photograph people....

386752_289766367735032_100001050131285_878322_1367826422_n.jpg
 
I too have this lens still yet to seriouly use it bought for wide star fields but been to busy to get out
 
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