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kypfer · 10-17-2019, 02:53 PM

Having both 8mm and 16mm fisheye lenses, albeit not the Zenitar, I'd caution about the amount of "fisheye-effect" you're likely to get on an APS-C camera with a 16mm lens. If you really want extreme distortion, an 8mm lens will be far more satisfactory, the 16mm is little more than a poorly-corrected wide-angle on the small sensor.

My Peleng 8mm was always "a bit of a novelty" on full-frame film, but really comes into it's own on APS-C, with only a little vignetting in the extreme corners of the frame. My Fujinon 16mm however, often a "weapon of choice" on film, gets very little use these days!

YMMV

**BigMackCam** · 10-17-2019, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

Having both 8mm and 16mm fisheye lenses, albeit not the Zenitar, I'd caution about the amount of "fisheye-effect" you're likely to get on an APS-C camera with a 16mm lens. If you really want extreme distortion, an 8mm lens will be far more satisfactory, the 16mm is little more than a poorly-corrected wide-angle on the small sensor.

My Peleng 8mm was always "a bit of a novelty" on full-frame film, but really comes into it's own on APS-C, with only a little vignetting in the extreme corners of the frame. My Fujinon 16mm however, often a "weapon of choice" on film, gets very little use these days!

The OP is looking to fit the lens to a K1000 35mm film camera, so should do well with the 16 and 17mm fisheye lenses mentioned.

That said, I'd agree that the Peleng 8mm is great on APS-C

But circular with the top and bottom cut off on 35mm / full frame...

kypfer · 10-17-2019, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

The OP is looking to fit the lens to a K1000 35mm film camera, so should do well with the 16 and 17mm fisheye lenses mentioned.

That said, I'd agree that the Peleng 8mm is great on APS-C

But circular with the top and bottom cut off on 35mm / full frame...

Ooops! My mistake! sorry about that!

**Just1MoreDave** · 10-17-2019, 03:18 PM

There's definitely a fisheye effect when you use the Zenitar FE on a K1000. I got used to using it on APS-C, but on film, everything is in the frame - fingers, feet, hat, etc. Stuff that you thought was behind you ends up in the shot. Only a slight exaggeration, you'll see if you try it. So check the frame before shooting. Also, don't lose the cap, the cap is unique.

tp4379 · 10-18-2019, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

There's definitely a fisheye effect when you use the Zenitar FE on a K1000. I got used to using it on APS-C, but on film, everything is in the frame - fingers, feet, hat, etc. Stuff that you thought was behind you ends up in the shot. Only a slight exaggeration, you'll see if you try it. So check the frame before shooting. Also, don't lose the cap, the cap is unique.

Definitely a fisheye effect, but is it a strong effect (the MC Zenitar 2.8/16mm Pentax-K)? Images of photos taken with the other lenses look a bit more warped/exaggerated in terms of the fishiness. Or is it just slightly more subtle with this lens? Just wondering as I am going for a somewhat dramatic fisheye effect while shooting skateboarders close up to the subject, often from underneath the subject.

stevebrot · 10-18-2019, 02:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by tp4379

Definitely a fisheye effect, but is it a strong effect (the MC Zenitar 2.8/16mm Pentax-K)?

Define "fisheye effect". Whether lines or horizon are bent depends strongly on the orientation of either to the lens axis. The Zenitar 16mm defines 180 degrees FOV on the frame diagonal for 24x36mm. Below are several 35mm film images; without knowing, which would one think were taken with the Zenitar fisheye?

Steve

stevebrot · 10-18-2019, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by tp4379

Just wondering as I am going for a somewhat dramatic fisheye effect while shooting skateboarders close up to the subject, often from underneath the subject.

They should look quite fishy enough, assuming the subject is close with major lines being off-axis. Near/far perspective takes care of itself the same as any other ultrawide.

Steve

stevebrot · 10-18-2019, 02:30 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by stevebrot

Below are several 35mm film images; without knowing, which would one think were taken with the Zenitar fisheye?

Forgot one...Should partially answer the skateboarder question as well as illustrating the lens axis behavior common to all fisheyes.

Scale is sort of strange on this one. The flags to lower left are full-size national flags and are not that far away.

Steve

(...was escorted off the premises by security after making this shot...)

Makx · 11-03-2020, 02:50 PM

I use this Zenitar on Pentax K200D, I'm very satisfied.

10-18-2019, 02:19 PM - 1 Like	#21
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tp4379 Definitely a fisheye effect, but is it a strong effect (the MC Zenitar 2.8/16mm Pentax-K)? Define "fisheye effect". Whether lines or horizon are bent depends strongly on the orientation of either to the lens axis. The Zenitar 16mm defines 180 degrees FOV on the frame diagonal for 24x36mm. Below are several 35mm film images; without knowing, which would one think were taken with the Zenitar fisheye? Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 10-18-2019 at 02:24 PM.

10-18-2019, 02:30 PM - 2 Likes	#23
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stevebrot Below are several 35mm film images; without knowing, which would one think were taken with the Zenitar fisheye? Forgot one...Should partially answer the skateboarder question as well as illustrating the lens axis behavior common to all fisheyes. Scale is sort of strange on this one. The flags to lower left are full-size national flags and are not that far away. Steve (...was escorted off the premises by security after making this shot...) Last edited by stevebrot; 10-18-2019 at 03:09 PM.

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10-17-2019, 02:53 PM	#16
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,600	Having both 8mm and 16mm fisheye lenses, albeit not the Zenitar, I'd caution about the amount of "fisheye-effect" you're likely to get on an APS-C camera with a 16mm lens. If you really want extreme distortion, an 8mm lens will be far more satisfactory, the 16mm is little more than a poorly-corrected wide-angle on the small sensor. My Peleng 8mm was always "a bit of a novelty" on full-frame film, but really comes into it's own on APS-C, with only a little vignetting in the extreme corners of the frame. My Fujinon 16mm however, often a "weapon of choice" on film, gets very little use these days! YMMV

10-17-2019, 02:56 PM	#17
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,704	Originally posted by kypfer Having both 8mm and 16mm fisheye lenses, albeit not the Zenitar, I'd caution about the amount of "fisheye-effect" you're likely to get on an APS-C camera with a 16mm lens. If you really want extreme distortion, an 8mm lens will be far more satisfactory, the 16mm is little more than a poorly-corrected wide-angle on the small sensor. My Peleng 8mm was always "a bit of a novelty" on full-frame film, but really comes into it's own on APS-C, with only a little vignetting in the extreme corners of the frame. My Fujinon 16mm however, often a "weapon of choice" on film, gets very little use these days! The OP is looking to fit the lens to a K1000 35mm film camera, so should do well with the 16 and 17mm fisheye lenses mentioned. That said, I'd agree that the Peleng 8mm is great on APS-C But circular with the top and bottom cut off on 35mm / full frame...

10-17-2019, 02:59 PM	#18
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,600	Originally posted by BigMackCam The OP is looking to fit the lens to a K1000 35mm film camera, so should do well with the 16 and 17mm fisheye lenses mentioned. That said, I'd agree that the Peleng 8mm is great on APS-C But circular with the top and bottom cut off on 35mm / full frame... Ooops! My mistake! sorry about that!

10-17-2019, 03:18 PM	#19
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	There's definitely a fisheye effect when you use the Zenitar FE on a K1000. I got used to using it on APS-C, but on film, everything is in the frame - fingers, feet, hat, etc. Stuff that you thought was behind you ends up in the shot. Only a slight exaggeration, you'll see if you try it. So check the frame before shooting. Also, don't lose the cap, the cap is unique.

10-18-2019, 12:25 PM	#20
tp4379 New Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave There's definitely a fisheye effect when you use the Zenitar FE on a K1000. I got used to using it on APS-C, but on film, everything is in the frame - fingers, feet, hat, etc. Stuff that you thought was behind you ends up in the shot. Only a slight exaggeration, you'll see if you try it. So check the frame before shooting. Also, don't lose the cap, the cap is unique. Definitely a fisheye effect, but is it a strong effect (the MC Zenitar 2.8/16mm Pentax-K)? Images of photos taken with the other lenses look a bit more warped/exaggerated in terms of the fishiness. Or is it just slightly more subtle with this lens? Just wondering as I am going for a somewhat dramatic fisheye effect while shooting skateboarders close up to the subject, often from underneath the subject.

10-18-2019, 02:22 PM	#22
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tp4379 Just wondering as I am going for a somewhat dramatic fisheye effect while shooting skateboarders close up to the subject, often from underneath the subject. They should look quite fishy enough, assuming the subject is close with major lines being off-axis. Near/far perspective takes care of itself the same as any other ultrawide. Steve

11-03-2020, 02:50 PM	#24
Makx New Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 26	I use this Zenitar on Pentax K200D, I'm very satisfied.

Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 Fish-Eye lens m42 mount for Pentax K1000

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