Is it possible to use a circular fisheye lens well?

[raid]

I wonder whether using a circular fisheye lens carefully can result in an interesting set of images or not.

I can see myself walking in some town's narrow roads, using a circular fisheye lens to get "everything" around me in the images. Must it be a fad, or can it result in something very nice and special?

Here is a recent snapshot by which I was testing the M9's ability to expose correctly with such a lens:

What do you think about its capability?
I was sitting on a couch at home (see leg) and I just took a snapshot of what was on my left. The lens is a Canon 7.5mm/5.6 in FD mount. With Canon Adapter B (to ltm), it can be used on the M9.

Here is an older shot on the M6:

 

[raid]

Do you think that you would do some good photography with such a lens?
Why yes, or why no?

 

[raid]

I agree with you on this side of it. I am interested especially in the possibilities or lack of creativity with such a lens. Is it really just a one time use for the fun of it, or can a fisheye lens be used effectively.

Your example of the interior of a space shuttle sounds good.

 

[alienmeatsack]

I'm a fan of a fisheye when used in the right situation. But, I find that most of the time they feel restrictive and make images feel claustraphobic to me since the entire image is crammed into a tiny circle.

My fisheye is outstanding when used on my digital Nikon body because it's a cropped sensor and you get more of a super wide angle lens kind of vibe. I don't care for it on my SLR bodies becaues you get this tiny circle.

They do have their uses but I think a good wide angle beats it hands down anyday for most common shots.

 

[raid]

On the EP2, it gives me a 15mm perspective.

 

[Rob-F]

I've never really cared for the look of the circular frame or border. I do have a 16mm full frame Russian fisheye in Nikon mount. It's an excellent lens, with excellent build quality. When I think of this lens, I think of one spectacular shot I took with it in Arches National Park. I keep waiting to see what else I can do with it. I'm debating whether to bring it to Colorado this year.

I think it is a lens that can be overused, until it quickly becomes tedious. But if we don't feel we have to use it a lot to justify owning it, then I think it can be worth owning for those times when it's appropriate. For example, IMAX has the 30mm Hasselblad fisheye adapted to their cameras, and I've seen it used in just one IMAX movie on Mississippi riverboats.

Edit: Oops, I just remembered they also used it in "The Dream Is Alive," aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

 

[john341]

Fisheye, where is it??

Fisheye, where is it??

Yes, I bought a Cosmos fish eye - the type that screwed onto your prime lens and depending on the focal length of that lens, supplied apertures from a dizzy f11 to f32. It turned out some crazy images, fairly sharp if stopped down to f22, and if used on a 135mm lens, the image actually filled the frame. Took a load of nudes with it -some of which were quite bizarre...those were the days

 

[Joosep]

Do some large circular prints, those are amazing. Sticking a circle in a 3:2 black box ruins it for me. I myself prefer a diagonal fisheye to a circular one....

 

[raid]

Most people dislike circular fisheye lenses. Therefore this thread.

 

[noisycheese]

I would think that night shots of neon lights found outside of restaurants or bars or outdoor Christmas lights would make for interesting abstract images when using a fisheye lens - either handheld 10 second exposures or images made while walking by.

Just an idea...

 

[Mackinaw]

Sure you can take artistic and interesting pictures with a fisheye lens. Up to a point that is. You take too many and it becomes gimmicky. I have a Canon FD 15mm full-frame fisheye that I use about three times a year. Very definitely a unique look, but it's also something that can wear out its welcome very soon. At least for me.

Jim B.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

I've seen a few full circle shots that I liked but I've seen far more that didn't appeal to me. For myself, I keep a full frame fisheye in my bag, for those few cases when it works better than a flat field ultra wide.

 

[ChrisN]

Useful for exaggerating the size of my nose.

 

[raid]

It is a "three times a year lens", so to speak.
A camera store owed me money back ($200), and they gave me this lens instead, many years ago.

I may discover more usefulness for it by using it on a M 4/3 for a 15mm perspective that is not circular.

 

[Bille]

Here´s a full page with samples from the Madoka 180 fisheye for Sony NEX.
http://www.yasuhara.co.jp/madoka/gallery-e.html

 

[raid]

I have never before heard of the Madoka lens.
It is 7.3/4. My Canon lens is a 7.5/5.6.
The Canon lens is heavy, and it is very well constructed, with built-in filters for B&W photography. No focusing is possible.

 

[kbg32]

Fisheyes had their day back in the 60s. Have you ever seen the Nikkor fisheye? Huge!

If you go back in history to Kodak's earlier days, popular around the turn of the last century, late 1800s - early 1900s, the bullseye camera, the images were circular. No distorted perspective though.

 

[squareshooter]

It's a tool -- no more, no less. Sometimes you need a monkey wrench that stretches w-i-d-e and sometimes you don't. I used one a lot for professional photos in the days gone by but do not own one now. I wish I did. Don't have a Leica, either, although I had a 3F and an M2R. Wish I had one now.