The other day I went into the city with Frank from Vanbars and he had a Samyang 12mm fisheye lens that I was able to try out. I’ve been hearing about Samyang Optics Australia quite a bit and it was great to be able to try out one of their lenses. Also, being a fisheye was even more interesting.
It does create a lot of distortion, but fisheyes are always going to do that. That is part of the attraction, and then trying to work out how to use them and for what.
I spent a few hours in the city experimenting with it. I have to admit I had a lot of fun using it and was reluctant to give it back. If you ever get a chance to play with one, do it. I might have to think about getting one of my own, though I would like to try a wider one, maybe an 8mm.
I have a gallery of images for you. They were taken around the city in some arcades and foyers. There are photos from the Emporium, Myer, Royal Arcade, Block Arcade and the foyer of 333 Collins Street. I have a lot more and will show them tomorrow.
How amazing are they? If you could try out a fisheye what would you photograph?
Great images! I’ve been trying my luck after I was given their 8mm lens mid year. I’m very happy with my results.
Thank you, that is great, apparently I can’t use the 8mm with my full frame, so I suppose I won’t be trying it, that’s great that you happy with what you are getting.
My problem is that I am using it with a D90. This is not ideal. I have problems with focusing. I was told that upgrading to a D610 would improve the image quality.
I don’t think a D610 will help because it is a full frame camera and you will get that circle thing happening. With focusing turn the focus ring around to infinity, so all the way to the left, I believe it is, from memory, and just shoot. That should be fine for everything that is more than about 2 or 3 meters from you. See how you go and let me know.
Wow, these are wonderful compositions! You’ve inspired me to rent a fish for some architectural abstract studies. I also have a D750, this lens appears to have worked well.
thank you. That’s great to hear, I’m sure you will have a lot of fun with it. It did work well with the full frame, not sure if it would be much good on a cropped sensor, but you don’t need to worry about that.
Hey Leanne .. A whole new perspective. And my fav cake shop too! 😃
Thanks Julie, it is, quite a different view. I love that cake shop too. Next time you are here, we should go there. 😀
The only time a shopping mall has ever appeared attractive to me. 🙂 Extraordinary images!
that’s good to hear Manja, thank you.
By they way, Leanne, I love the symmetry you achieve in these shots.
Thank you Don.
Cathedrals is a great idea. Fortunately, we have a number of suitable candidates right here in Melbourne. That would cut out enough expense to justify purchasing an 8mm fisheye. See, Leanne, there’s more than one way to justify spending money on gear.
I think so too Don, we do have a few here, we might have to check them out. I would like to try the 8mm. Yeah, true, but I still can’t justify it, I need to earn more money lol.
I love these.I think you made the most of that lens! 🙂
Thank you Nicci, I tried to, would love to try it on some other stuff, might have to think about getting one. 😉
What a terrific effect, Leanne. Beautiful images.
Thank you Jane, it is a great effect, I think I like it.
Great shots, I’ve not got a fisheye lens, but now I’m tempted to get one 😉
You and me both Simon, I think it could be a lot of fun, seeing what you could do with it. Thanks.
Beautiful images as usual, Leanne. Very interesting as well. Your photos set me off investigating the lens (Rokinon 12 mm and Samyang 12 mm are the same lens, made in the same factory). I also found that it is possible in Photoshop to remove as much (or as little) of the distortion as you fancy using the Warp feature. So, for me, a really valuable post! I am ordering one from B & H because since I am going to be in London in less than a month, so lots of potential for interior shots.
Thank you Derek. That’s great to hear. I think for me the idea of using the fisheye is to get that distortion and to try and make it work for you, but that could just be me. I’m sure you will have lots of fun with it.
What beautiful photos! I love the character of the buildings there!!!!! Happy weekend wishes my friend! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Thank you Lisa, we have some lovely old ones here, well old for us. You have a good one too.
Must be great to play with. However in the long run? How long until it becomes a gimmick? Ans than an expensive gimmick as well. Nevertheless some very interesting shots.I prefer those that have the floor in the middle (least distorted).
It is, I think there are definite uses for it, but as you said, it could get boring quickly, I think if I were to get it, I would have to know exactly why I was buying it and getting it for something specific. I like the distortion, which for me is the point of the lens, and why you would use a fisheye. Would be good to play with it a lot more, but I only got that one day with it. Thanks Jim.
Fun.
Most definitely, lots of fun Sherry.
Well, I would go back to Europe and shoot some more interiors of Gothic cathedrals! I would probably need a full-sensor camera, too, to get the full fisheye effect. Oh, I can see this becoming a very expensive project!
Oh I love that idea, cathedrals would be amazing to use it with. Great idea, I have the full frame already, so that is good, but would love to go to Europe to photograph them. Maybe we can find someone to sponsor us, lol. Thanks.