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Convince me to keep or sell my Fisheye

bunnspecial

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 3, 2014
8,359
6,498
Kentucky
I spent a little while this afternoon taking photos of the only fisheye I've ever owned, a 16mm f/2.8 AI-s Fisheye-Nikkor, with the intent of listing it on Ebay.

(MOD NOTE-NOT A SALES POST AND NO INTENT TO LINK TO AUCTION IF I DO-JUST SOLICITING OPINIONS).

This particular one is a beauty of a lens. It's sharp, looks nearly unused, and I have a full set of the rear-mount filters for it.

In my time buying AI/AI-s lenses, this is one of the more expensive(not most expensive) lenses I've bought, and tends to sell in the range of some other classic favorites(some of which I have) like the 35mm f/1.4, 105mm f/1.8, and the like. Price isn't super relevant, other than the fact that I have a few hundred dollars in this lens that could potentially go elseswhere.

I've floated selling it a few times and have even made half hearted attempts at listing it, but can never quite bring myself to really try to sell it.

Here's my issue-Fisheyes in theory are fun, and I opted for this because I thought a full frame would be more practical.

Also, for reference, I use a decent bit of film, usually an F2sb, F2AS, or FM2n if using MF, but something like this is easy on an AF camera so don't mind it on my F6. With digital, my workhorses are my D810, with a D800 as either a back-up or for a second lens.

As another reference, I love and regularly use rectilinear UWs. In that context, 20mm is sometimes too narrow for me. I don't like carrying a "normal" zoom unless it can go to 24mm(which to me straddles the line of almost being UW, and at least can get some of the "in your face" WA perspective). My lightweight MF kit has a 20mm f/4, while I have the beast of 14-24mm f/2.8 and also the wimpy little plastic 10-20mm DX lens that's actually a perfectly useable FX lens from 14-20mm.

My problem is that I can never seem to find a good use for the fisheye. Every time I try to use it, I end up being disappointed that I didn't take it with a rectilinear lens. I've tried "defishing" in post, but have never been 100% happy with the results I got.

Those of you who have fisheyes, can you give me samples of how you use them, or explain situations where you do? I want to like this lens, but like I said I'm having a hard time even finding good subjects.
 
I don't own a fisheye because I've never felt a need for myself. As for how I might use one: I've always looked at them as an art lens. (I know some will disagree with this.) I do have an art lens that I only use when I'm sure that's what I want. I try to think of those outings as exercises in abstract or art photography rather than photo-realism. (I do this even if I'm looking for photo-realism. It just helps with the way that I think about the shoot.) Perhaps it will help you to think about why or how you're using it in addition to what you are shooting.

As for the sell vs don't sell dilemma: We're all gear junkies. Your struggle is a profoundly clear indication that you MUST NOT sell. If you decide one way or the other and then realized you made a mistake, would you rather err by selling or keeping. I think most of us would go with keeping.
 
deep diver said:
As for the sell vs don't sell dilemma: We're all gear junkies. Your struggle is a profoundly clear indication that you MUST NOT sell. If you decide one way or the other and then realized you made a mistake, would you rather err by selling or keeping. I think most of us would go with keeping.
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I think you are right on this.

I don't know when just the right time will come up, but at the same time it's a small lens and they don't eat anything :) .
Also, even though, as you say, this is an "art lens" I've heard of a decent amount of sample variability in them. I know this one is a good one, and it can be a roll of the dice as to whether or not any particular one is.

Sometimes the sell decision is easy. Sometimes I'll realize I've accumulated a half dozen F2As, cameras I don't really even use, and realize I should narrow it down to one or two. Somehow or another that will still creep back up, but it's there. Sometimes selling one lens or camera is a clear path to getting an upgrade, or a newer piece makes one superfluous(although I didn't do that when I bought a D810, since having the very similar D800 makes sense). This isn't one of those cases, though, since this is the only thing like this I have.

Still, though, my mind isn't completely made up.
 
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They can be quite a bit of fun, and I was actually surprised how much I used my cheap 9mm body cap lens on my last trip. I also now have a rectilinear 7-14mm. In another forum, a poster mentioned that rectilinear lenses have to compress the detail around the edges, where a fisheye won't. I never gave it much though before then, but I think that's one aspect to using such wide-lenses--what are you trying to capture and can you get the detail while not making it look, well, fisheyed?

An example of using a fisheye, where no defishing correction was made--I just kept the horizon near the middle of the shot and the fisheye effect isn't really there. Granted, you can also go for that look, but it's not always necessary.
1620094664690.png
 
I think your problem can be answered with one question .....
Have you ever tripped over the lens ?
If you have , put it on a shelf and keep it.
If you haven't , keep it , because you know , deep down inside , that a week after it's gone you'll be thinking 'Ya know , this would be a great shot if I only had a fisheye ."
 
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someoldguy said:
I think your problem can be answered with one question .....
Have you ever tripped over the lens ?
If you have , put it on a shelf and keep it.
If you haven't , keep it , because you know , deep down inside , that a week after it's gone you'll be thinking 'Ya know , this would be a great shot if I only had a fisheye ."
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Fall risk as a rationale for keeping a lens?

I like it.
 
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deep diver said:
Fall risk as a rationale for keeping a lens?

I like it.
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At the camera store where I use to hang out(quite literally, Friday afternoon they knew was "my day" and if I missed two weeks or so in a row they'd call and make sure I was alright...a sad loss of my moving) I bought more than one thing that I tripped over.

I didn't buy it because I damaged it. It was more just internal conversation "Oh wow, that's interesting, I wouldn't mind to have that." Outloud, "Hey Chuck(shop owner), how much for this?" Answer was either "Where'd you find that?" or "Oh, that's where that went" and a bit of dickering before I'd usually buy it.

There's nothing like a good camera store, especially when you can go from never having seen a Nikon S2 in hand to owning one in an hour all by virtue of where your feet landed :) . That store recently moved, and I have yet to visit the new location. I'm guessing it won't be the same, even though the owner will no doubt be the same as always. I have at least talked to him a few times.

For now, the fisheye has survived.

For a good enjoyable read too about where the above anecdotes happened,

Inside Chuck Rubin's Legendary Camera Shop

archive.louisville.com archive.louisville.com
 
bunnspecial said:
At the camera store where I use to hang out(quite literally, Friday afternoon they knew was "my day" and if I missed two weeks or so in a row they'd call and make sure I was alright...a sad loss of my moving) I bought more than one thing that I tripped over.

I didn't buy it because I damaged it. It was more just internal conversation "Oh wow, that's interesting, I wouldn't mind to have that." Outloud, "Hey Chuck(shop owner), how much for this?" Answer was either "Where'd you find that?" or "Oh, that's where that went" and a bit of dickering before I'd usually buy it.

There's nothing like a good camera store, especially when you can go from never having seen a Nikon S2 in hand to owning one in an hour all by virtue of where your feet landed :) . That store recently moved, and I have yet to visit the new location. I'm guessing it won't be the same, even though the owner will no doubt be the same as always. I have at least talked to him a few times.

For now, the fisheye has survived.

For a good enjoyable read too about where the above anecdotes happened,

Inside Chuck Rubin's Legendary Camera Shop

archive.louisville.com archive.louisville.com
Click to expand...

In this time of big box and online stores, too many people have forgotten that relationships and good service are worth a lot. In the photo world, sometimes that service doesn't even cost us anything because pricing on lenses and bodies are largely set by the manufacturers.
 
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deep diver said:
In this time of big box and online stores, too many people have forgotten that relationships and good service are worth a lot. In the photo world, sometimes that service doesn't even cost us anything because pricing on lenses and bodies are largely set by the manufacturers.
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Definitely.

Louisville was amazing as a hobbiest photographer when I lived there. Not only was there plenty to keep me interested, but I sometimes took it for granted just how great the camera stores were even in 2020 for a city that size. Chuck's-article above-was the used haven. A mile up the road was the main location of another locally owned store-Murphy's Camera, which had been around I think since the 1950s. They sold used also, but their main business was new.

I was a regular to both places, and knew the staff along with the owner of Murphy's decently well. I did a fair bit of business with them, and they could usually get me stuff for not too much more than B&H. There was nothing like being able to go in and say "I'm thinking about buying a 24-70mm f/2.8E VR lens but I'm not sure if I'm going to like the weight vs. my G 24-70mm f/2.8." Without even a second thought, they're handing me one of each plus the closest equivalent they have to the camera body I want to use it on, or a "Oh, we have D850s in stock, do you want to try one while you're looking at this?"

A good camera store is worth every penny of extra money you may pay over the big guys.

Chuck's, that I mentioned above, was a totally different world of its own and there's really nothing like it.
 
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or..... Court controversy..... Sell the 16mm Nikkor, use the cash and buy a TT Artisans 11mm f2.8 fisheye plenty good enough if you want to play with fisheye again. They cost pennies, bank the saving.... guilt free.... no gap left in your arsenal, released cash from the lens.... win!
 
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kenoh said:
or..... Court controversy..... Sell the 16mm Nikkor, use the cash and buy a TT Artisans 11mm f2.8 fisheye plenty good enough if you want to play with fisheye again. They cost pennies, bank the saving.... guilt free.... no gap left in your arsenal, released cash from the lens.... win!
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You mean more money you can hide away from Mrs Kenoh towards your next purchase!
 
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Apple fanboy said:
Maybe she’s going to surprise you with some new glass! Or more likely announce YOU are redoing the kitchen!
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She already announced I am soundproofing our daughters room as the neighbours are too noisy. I am doing a "glow up" whatever the hell that means in the bedroom by fitting wall panels and also I am to build slatted cedar fencing to make the garden look more modern... so no kitchens being done here my friend.
 
kenoh said:
She already announced I am soundproofing our daughters room as the neighbours are too noisy. I am doing a "glow up" whatever the hell that means in the bedroom by fitting wall panels and also I am to build slatted cedar fencing to make the garden look more modern... so no kitchens being done here my friend.
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Sounds like you have your hands full. Just the way she likes it! Hope it still leaves some photography time.
 
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kenoh said:
She already announced I am soundproofing our daughters room as the neighbours are too noisy. I am doing a "glow up" whatever the hell that means in the bedroom by fitting wall panels and also I am to build slatted cedar fencing to make the garden look more modern... so no kitchens being done here my friend.
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Just make sure that 'glow up' doesn't involve anything radioactive !
 
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kenoh said:
She already announced I am soundproofing our daughters room as the neighbours are too noisy. I am doing a "glow up" whatever the hell that means in the bedroom by fitting wall panels and also I am to build slatted cedar fencing to make the garden look more modern... so no kitchens being done here my friend.
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As long as she's not asking you to "grow up," right? :D
 
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Out of curiosity I looked up "Glow Up," and it seems to mean a "transformation for the better," whether that applies to a person or to a room or to an object.....

I tend to be rather literal so I actually have recently done a "glow up" in my main living area by installing a new router which indeed does "glow up" with this really cool neon green lighting at the base of the unit. LOL! :D.
 
Search, "fisheye lens and the Northern Lights," and then look at the photo samples. I don't have a fisheye lens, but often look at photos taken by photographers using fisheye lenses at a rocket launch facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. This is a University Of Alaska facility, where NASA and other agencies launch rockets into the night sky to study the Northern Lights. Some of the photos where taken with fisheye lenses by NASA:
 
AlaskaMoose said:
Search, "fisheye lens and the Northern Lights," and then look at the photo samples. I don't have a fisheye lens, but often look at photos taken by photographers using fisheye lenses at a rocket launch facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. This is a University Of Alaska facility, where NASA and other agencies launch rockets into the night sky to study the Northern Lights. Some of the photos where taken with fisheye lenses by NASA:
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Also google image search for "fish eye lens cows" 😁 Edit: or any other animal
 
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