A sorta cheap ultra wide solution

RioRico · 09-09-2010, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by urje

But the test shots I made, made me realise that I would never want to use a shot of it for anything serious, so it was rather useless. It seems to me that with this UWA adapter, the softness in the corners would prohibit me from ever screwing it on.

In general:
Distortion can be fun and useful. If perfectly photographic results are the goal, avoid optical adapters, especially cheap ones. If striking images are the goal, go for it! The aberrant margins can serve to isolate and highlight a sharp, contrasty central subject. Even vignetting can be gainfully employed in the right presentation. If the center stands out sharply, great. If the whole is a bit blurry, fire up the shooping machine and turn it into poster art. Or soften and pastelize it and call it photo-impressionism. Or shrink it so the softness isn't noticeable. Whatever.

Originally posted by mattb123

I was considering getting an adapter ring to go from 49 to 52mm to try the Raynox on my DA15 just for fun. But I suspect the hood of the DA15 would get in the way and I don't want to waste money on a project I couldn't complete.

To get an idea of the results of that (if it would fit), just distort in PP.

Pentaxor · 09-09-2010, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by bdery

Do they have 52 mm front filter threads?

I'll try to run the tests tonight or this weekend, I'm a bit busy right now.

no, but you could try a step-down ring if your raynox has a 52mm thread. hope it still works out especially you are cutting off some corners.

paperbag846 · 09-09-2010, 12:28 PM

I like the effect!

Reminds me of my poor-man's super-wide fix: I just slapped my DA 18-55 on my Program Plus. It looks COOL, and is fully functional in auto mode.

zerodaze · 09-09-2010, 07:59 PM

I was going to penalize you for the Dune series on top shelf, until I saw Douglas Adams and thought, well, okay

bdery · 09-10-2010, 05:07 AM

Originally posted by zerodaze

I was going to penalize you for the Dune series on top shelf, until I saw Douglas Adams and thought, well, okay

What's wrong with Dune? The original series, at least. The "prequels" sponsored by Herbert's son are among things I regret buying.

Pentaxor · 09-10-2010, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by bdery

What's wrong with Dune? The original series, at least. The "prequels" sponsored by Herbert's son are among things I regret buying.

why? what's wrong with the prequels?

anyway, if you manage to finish the original series, I meant the last book, it was a very shocking ending or twist, eh?

bdery · 09-13-2010, 04:57 AM

Quote:

why? what's wrong with the prequels?

YMMV, but I found them to be cheap sci-fi stories, not really creative or innovative, and certainly not up to the levels of the original series' level.

Quote:

anyway, if you manage to finish the original series, I meant the last book, it was a very shocking ending or twist, eh?

I read the original series up to the end of what Herbert wrote. Yeah, pretty impressive and unexpected ...

JoepLX3 · 09-16-2010, 11:28 PM

How about "cheap" Fisheye options?
- If needed icw e.g. a UWA lens like 10-20 or 50 mm prime

**mattb123** · 09-17-2010, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by JoepLX3

How about "cheap" Fisheye options?
- If needed icw e.g. a UWA lens like 10-20 or 50 mm prime

The Russian made Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 fisheye goes for under $200 new. That's probably the best bang for the buck. I've seen some very nice photos from it. MF only but it looks like a good value. I could see myself getting one at some point.

JoepLX3 · 09-17-2010, 03:40 PM

Thanks, I also notice the Samyang 8 mm FE

RioRico · 09-17-2010, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by mattb123

The Russian made Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 fisheye goes for under $200 new. That's probably the best bang for the buck. I've seen some very nice photos from it. MF only but it looks like a good value. I could see myself getting one at some point.

Are you the same mattb who just won a Sears 135/2.8? The one with a note that it was just in your territory a few weeks ago, and now it's coming back to stay? I shipped it yesterday. And the Zen16 is a fine lens. On my recent long SouthWest trip I hauled about 25 lenses but my DA18-250 and the Zen16 saw the most action. I used my DA10-17 much less, especially indoors, mostly as the Zen16 is about 1.5 stops faster at that focal length. Don't leave home without it. (Nope, I ain't selling mine.)

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09-09-2010, 10:14 AM	#16
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by urje But the test shots I made, made me realise that I would never want to use a shot of it for anything serious, so it was rather useless. It seems to me that with this UWA adapter, the softness in the corners would prohibit me from ever screwing it on. In general: Distortion can be fun and useful. If perfectly photographic results are the goal, avoid optical adapters, especially cheap ones. If striking images are the goal, go for it! The aberrant margins can serve to isolate and highlight a sharp, contrasty central subject. Even vignetting can be gainfully employed in the right presentation. If the center stands out sharply, great. If the whole is a bit blurry, fire up the shooping machine and turn it into poster art. Or soften and pastelize it and call it photo-impressionism. Or shrink it so the softness isn't noticeable. Whatever. Originally posted by mattb123 I was considering getting an adapter ring to go from 49 to 52mm to try the Raynox on my DA15 just for fun. But I suspect the hood of the DA15 would get in the way and I don't want to waste money on a project I couldn't complete. To get an idea of the results of that (if it would fit), just distort in PP.

09-09-2010, 10:22 AM	#17
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by bdery Do they have 52 mm front filter threads? I'll try to run the tests tonight or this weekend, I'm a bit busy right now. no, but you could try a step-down ring if your raynox has a 52mm thread. hope it still works out especially you are cutting off some corners.

09-09-2010, 12:28 PM	#18
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	I like the effect! Reminds me of my poor-man's super-wide fix: I just slapped my DA 18-55 on my Program Plus. It looks COOL, and is fully functional in auto mode.

09-09-2010, 07:59 PM	#19
zerodaze Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 57	I was going to penalize you for the Dune series on top shelf, until I saw Douglas Adams and thought, well, okay

09-10-2010, 05:07 AM	#20
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	Originally posted by zerodaze I was going to penalize you for the Dune series on top shelf, until I saw Douglas Adams and thought, well, okay What's wrong with Dune? The original series, at least. The "prequels" sponsored by Herbert's son are among things I regret buying.

09-10-2010, 11:00 AM	#21
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by bdery What's wrong with Dune? The original series, at least. The "prequels" sponsored by Herbert's son are among things I regret buying. why? what's wrong with the prequels? anyway, if you manage to finish the original series, I meant the last book, it was a very shocking ending or twist, eh?

09-13-2010, 04:57 AM	#22
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357 Original Poster	Quote: why? what's wrong with the prequels? YMMV, but I found them to be cheap sci-fi stories, not really creative or innovative, and certainly not up to the levels of the original series' level. Quote: anyway, if you manage to finish the original series, I meant the last book, it was a very shocking ending or twist, eh? I read the original series up to the end of what Herbert wrote. Yeah, pretty impressive and unexpected ...

09-16-2010, 11:28 PM	#23
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	How about "cheap" Fisheye options? - If needed icw e.g. a UWA lens like 10-20 or 50 mm prime

09-17-2010, 08:10 AM	#24
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Originally posted by JoepLX3 How about "cheap" Fisheye options? - If needed icw e.g. a UWA lens like 10-20 or 50 mm prime The Russian made Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 fisheye goes for under $200 new. That's probably the best bang for the buck. I've seen some very nice photos from it. MF only but it looks like a good value. I could see myself getting one at some point.

09-17-2010, 03:40 PM	#25
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	Thanks, I also notice the Samyang 8 mm FE

09-17-2010, 09:14 PM	#26
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by mattb123 The Russian made Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 fisheye goes for under $200 new. That's probably the best bang for the buck. I've seen some very nice photos from it. MF only but it looks like a good value. I could see myself getting one at some point. Are you the same mattb who just won a Sears 135/2.8? The one with a note that it was just in your territory a few weeks ago, and now it's coming back to stay? I shipped it yesterday. And the Zen16 is a fine lens. On my recent long SouthWest trip I hauled about 25 lenses but my DA18-250 and the Zen16 saw the most action. I used my DA10-17 much less, especially indoors, mostly as the Zen16 is about 1.5 stops faster at that focal length. Don't leave home without it. (Nope, I ain't selling mine.)