How do you say "FUN" in Russian?

Kamlan 28mm F1.4 MF for APS-C

09/29/2004 01:39:56 AM · #1

I think it's: Zenitar

Actually, MC Zenitar M 2.8/16 Fish Eye.

Man, what a fun lens. Makes me wish I had a full frame camera. I might just have to go out and buy a film 35mm just so I can get the full effect of the FishEye.

Bought it last week on Ebay from Kiev Camera. Shipped to me in about 10 days. Have not had a chance to go outside with it yet, but it should be great.

Here are some samples, taken indoor, mostly hand held using only natural lighting. Many of these images are at f/2.8. Amazing. Soft on far shots at 2.8, but very nice close up.

//mariomelillo.com/gallery/Zenitar

This one is my fav:

I'll post some more once I get a chance to shoot outside.

Anachronite

Sony DSC-S85

09/29/2004 01:54:25 AM · #2

noTexa... comrade

on a less literal note.. I like the look of the shots.. wonder what a face might look like with some background around the edges?

Message edited by author 2004-09-29 01:59:05.

Manic

DJI Mini 3 Pro

09/29/2004 04:52:57 AM · #3

Mmm... fisheye... :o) BTW, if anyone else is considering getting one of these (I am now ;o), check out this site, run by the same people who distribute the Lomo LC-A.

jadin

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

09/29/2004 05:09:40 AM · #4

I would've bet money on "vodka".

Quadrajet

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

09/29/2004 06:36:17 AM · #5

Ahh yes, the Zenitar fisheye. If you're looking for a wide angle without paying a ton of money, it's the only way to go. Of course it won't be as sharp as the Canon, Nikon or Sigma, but if you stay between f/5.6 and f/11 with the Zenitar you'll be hard pressed to tell much of a difference. I've had mine for years now and it has been a very inexpensive workhorse for me. I shot a few of my dpc challenge images with it as well as some bmx action shots.

Everything in THIS gallery as well as THIS photo, which is one of my personal favorites.

It's an excellent and inexpensive way to experiment with a super wide angle. Unfortunately it isn't wide enough for me, so I'm eyeing the new Canon zoom. ;)

Message edited by author 2004-09-29 06:37:05.

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/29/2004 07:29:03 AM · #6

What about fisheye adapters like this one?

For someone like me what will rarely use it but would like to have fun. Is the image quality alright?

Thanks

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/29/2004 08:45:45 AM · #7

Originally posted by kosmikkreeper:

What about fisheye adapters like this one?

For someone like me what will rarely use it but would like to have fun. Is the image quality alright?

Thanks

I don't think those are meant to be attached to an SLR lens. They are converters for P&S cameras.

I have a teleconverter for my G3 and when applied to one of my SLR lenses it produces interesting effects with quite a bit of distortion. The wide angle would probably produce similar effects.

skylen

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/29/2004 09:02:28 AM · #8

Originally posted by mariomel:

Man, what a fun lens. Makes me wish I had a full frame camera. I might just have to go out and buy a film 35mm just so I can get the full effect of the FishEye.

Or, you could get an EOS-1Ds Mark II. It has a full-frame 35mm sensor, and 16.6 megapixels. Phew. Yummy.

09/29/2004 10:59:08 AM · #9

Originally posted by skylen:

Originally posted by mariomel:
Man, what a fun lens. Makes me wish I had a full frame camera. I might just have to go out and buy a film 35mm just so I can get the full effect of the FishEye.

Or, you could get an EOS-1Ds Mark II. It has a full-frame 35mm sensor, and 16.6 megapixels. Phew. Yummy.

That would be the ball! I think I'd need to sell maybe just a few more prints on DPCPrints to justify that one. LOL!

Maybe I'll start by just getting a used Eos 35mm and try out some BW prints. Could be just a little cheaper than the EOS-1Ds II.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/29/2004 02:55:30 PM · #10

Russian for "fun?"
I vote for "Peleng", as in "the other Russian fisheye." A whole 8mm in focal length, it yields a "chopped" circular image on 1.6 crop cams, or a full circle with 183 degrees of coverage in all directions on full-frame cams. Biggest problem is keeping your feet out of the composition.
My submission for "threes"...

...was taken with this lens. I "forced" it into macro mode by unscrewing it slightly from the mount adapter, imitating the effect of an ultra-short extension tube.
The Peleng is a fun lens, however the CA is kinda noticeable at the perimeter of the image circle (can't say the corners, there are none, LOL). The interior is very sharp, however.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

09/29/2004 03:02:53 PM · #11

BEWARE !!

I had one of these, an M42 (pentax thread) version, which they claimed could be used with a converter. So I duly bought the Canon AF converter and plugged it onto my 10D

Next thing I knew the mirror was off its hinges, the mirror had hit the back of the adapter. 8 weeks without my beloved 10D.

Anyway - make sure you get the AF version of this lens and DO NOT buy the M42 with adapter if you intend using it on a 10D.

Falc

09/29/2004 03:24:43 PM · #12

Originally posted by Falc:

You are referring to the Zenitar, I believe. I have heard that there is a potential interference problem with the M42+ converter version of this lens.
AFAIK, there is no problema with the adapted Peleng; at least I have had no problem.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/29/2004 03:30:57 PM · #13

Originally posted by Falc:

Keith, which lens are you refering to: the Zenitar 16mm or kirbic's Peleng 8mm? I have the Zenitar which comes with the EOS mount built in. They also have a model which works with an adapter for different mounts. I've read online that it works fine with Canon DSLRs but have also read of a few people having similar problems to you. Just get the EOS mount built in. It's pretty much the same price.

to Fritz: Awesome photo. Do you have any links to other images taken with this lens? Also here's a question: you say it produces a round image cropped because of the 1.6x factor, so basically it yields a squarish image with rounded corners? What happens to the rest of the 3:2 ratio? blackness? I guess i'm asking to see an uncropped image.

I have to say, I'm really surprised as to the quality of this lens. I thought it would be OK but I find the sharpeness and colour to be excellent, especially around f/8-11. I took some daytime outdoor shots today at lunch but have not been able to process them yet. I'll post once I do.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

09/29/2004 03:36:11 PM · #14

Yes my problem was with the Zenitar, and the adapter. I do know they produce an AF (built in) version of the lens which should be OK.

The adapter may well also be OK with the 300D and the 20D which have greater clearance for the 'S' type lenses.

09/29/2004 03:39:49 PM · #15

@Mario:
I don't have any uncropped pix online from the Peleng at the moment; I can resize & upload something later tonite. Yes, the outer corners are just black.

09/29/2004 09:58:34 PM · #16

Here's an example of an uncropped image from the Peleng 8mm fisheye.

As you can see, the image circle is a bit off-center on mine. You'd never notice, of course, if you didn't see the edge of the circle. I normally defish just enough to move the corners out to cover the whole frame.

09/29/2004 10:44:47 PM · #17

Originally posted by kirbic:

Here's an example of an uncropped image from the Peleng 8mm fisheye.

That`s pretty cool. I see what you mean about keeping your feet out. LOL! I didn`t think you`d get as much in the frame. I thought the circled view would be more obvious. Thanks.

Nice image, btw. I like those kinds of shots.

09/30/2004 12:53:23 PM · #18

I've posted some new photos taken outdoors yesterday. This lens is really amazing. Even though it is fully manual, the TTL metering still works perfectly, and the colour rendition and contrast is great.

This is one of my favs:

Some of the others can be found here: //mariomelillo.com/gallery/Zenitar

Message edited by author 2004-09-30 12:54:23.

cpurser

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

02/15/2005 12:28:15 PM · #19

So, has anyone had the clearance problem with the M42 (screw) Zenitar on a DRebel? I am considering buying the screw version so that I can using it on my Pentax Spotmatic also. Plus it is $20 cheaper.

Thanks,
Chad

nsbca7

02/15/2005 12:42:21 PM · #20

Originally posted by mariomel:

I think it's: Zenitar

I always thought it was Vodka!

mrorange002