Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye advice - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

05/08/2007 01:58:38 PM · #1

I see 47 owners have it and know it is more of a 'fun' or 'specialty' lens. Bottom line, is it worth it? I know it's MF and a 'circular' image on my camera.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

05/08/2007 02:03:30 PM · #2

It is a very fun lens. I loved it whenI had it I just never used it so I sold it.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/08/2007 02:07:44 PM · #3

Originally posted by MrEd:

I see 47 owners have it and know it is more of a 'fun' or 'specialty' lens. Bottom line, is it worth it? I know it's MF and a 'circular' image on my camera.

Yes.

There are some tricks that make it even more fun. There are 3 recessed screws around the circumference of the mount that hold the adapter for your specific camera in place. If you loosen those 3 screws and increase the gap between the lens and the adapter, you can significantly decrease the minimum focusing distance. I used 3 pennies to make sure the gap was even all around before I re-tightened the screws. (Yes, you will lose infinity focus, but with a lens this wide, it doesn't make much difference)

This small "adjustment" will make it possible to focus on something that is actually touching the front element.

Here are some examples: Fisheye Madness

05/08/2007 02:08:48 PM · #4

Whether it's worth it really depends on whether you'd use it. Optically it's actually pretty darn good. It does have some CA toward the outer edges of the image circle, and it will leave dark corners, about like this:

Your sensor is slightly bigger than the sensor on the camera that took the above shot, so your dark corners will be slightly larger.
Over the majority of the image circle, the Peleng will provide more resolution than the sensor is capable of capturing, especially stopped down. Partial defishing is easily done to rid the frame of the dark corners. Here's the partial defish of the above shot:

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

05/08/2007 05:37:39 PM · #5

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll get it. Under $400 shipped, so it's relatively painless.

05/08/2007 05:40:19 PM · #6

Wowzers, the price has gone up... way up. I believe I paid just over $200 for mine (bought from rugift.com in 2004).

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

05/08/2007 05:41:15 PM · #7

Should still be around $200

05/08/2007 05:42:26 PM · #8

Originally posted by rex:

Should still be around $200

rugift.com now lists it for $369. They are usually the cheapest, but I haven't checked other sources...

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

05/08/2007 05:46:23 PM · #9

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by rex:
Should still be around $200

rugift.com now lists it for $369. They are usually the cheapest, but I haven't checked other sources...

That's the one. But, it's $379 for mine......and they take PayPal.

Added:Found it at Kremlin Optics for $330. But, only 4 reviews in ResellerRatings.

Message edited by author 2007-05-08 17:54:41.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

05/08/2007 06:30:03 PM · #10

Ebay $312

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

05/08/2007 06:54:33 PM · #11

Another potential source is Kiev Camera. They were more expensive when I ordered mine, but who knows if that's changed now?

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/08/2007 07:03:22 PM · #12

My best advice: turn the locking ring all the way to locked when taking an image (I lost a good few images to that before I figured it out). f8 and m1.8 for all but the closest of subjects.

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/08/2007 08:03:39 PM · #13

It's definitely a fun lens to own.