Any CHEAP fisheyes?

Rizzice

Rizzice

Active member
Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone can suggest a fisheye lens for the 7D that is under $100. I'm not looking for super high quality, but I shoot a lot of action scenes (martial arts, freerunning) that from time to time make me want to have the fisheye effect. I don't care about vignetting or quality, as long as it's not DIRT poor, since I would only be using the lens for selective shots, and with fisheye distortion for film, the quality isn't as important as it is for stills.

I have actually been using my Raynox HD-7062 Wide Angle .7X HD 62mm (I had it previously for my Casio EX-F1) with a stepup from my 50mm f1.4, and it works surprisingly well in giving more focal length options with a prime lens. For the price, it's quite satisfactory (I can post up pictures/footage if anyone is interested in a cheap wide angle solution).

Unfortunately my Raynox MX-3062PRO MX-3062 0.3X Fisheye doesn't work the same. I would need like 10 filter rings in between before the focus will work correctly with the fisheye, and I'm guessing that's because of the nature of the fisheye lens, or I'm just doing something wrong.

But yeah, basically, I'm looking for a reasonable quality fisheye lens I can use just for specific stylized shot. There are QUITE a few cheap ones on eBay and such, but I figure there's probably some that are better than others..
 
Would anyone recommend the Canon MC Zenitar 16mm Fisheye? It's about $175, but I really feel like even for the Opteka that $300 is too much for a lens that I will only use selectively..
 
It depends on if you use it for recreation or if you get paid for your gigs.

BTW, 16mm is not fisheye with a 7d. It's wide, but not fisheye.
 
j said:
It depends on if you use it for recreation or if you get paid for your gigs.

BTW, 16mm is not fisheye with a 7d. It's wide, but not fisheye.
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This is true. There is some distortion but not much. It's a sharp tough little lens though if your lucky and get a good one

The Samyang8mm/Opteka6.5mm is the best option.
 
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If you want to go cheap and versatile...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CANON-EF-S-...iewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item2c51ef4e54

It's an 18-55mm zoom for well under $100. They are the stock lens for the rebel cameras and they are cheap so people get rid of them quick. I got one to supplement my 28-135 stock lens and it's actually a great deal. It's an eos lens, so all the auto functions work with it. Plus you can pick up a 58mm .5 WA adapter on ebay for dirt cheap. (they aren't flawless by any means, but if you want to get in the 9mm range, that'll get you there.)

I needed a 2nd wider lens for a spec trailer and it would have been $150 for 1 week rental. I got my lens for $65 and the adapter for $20.

If you're looking for cheap, this worked out great for me.
 
Rumor has it the Opteka, Vivitar, Bower, Rokinon, Samyang are all the same manufactured lens, just labelled differently for each brand. Overstock.com is selling the Rokinon for $249, free shipping, no sales tax. Just ordered one.

There is a recent test video of the 7d with the Opteka on Vimeo
 
ronscuba said:
Rumor has it the Opteka, Vivitar, Bower, Rokinon, Samyang are all the same manufactured lens, just labelled differently for each brand. Overstock.com is selling the Rokinon for $249, free shipping, no sales tax. Just ordered one.

There is a recent test video of the 7d with the Opteka on Vimeo
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I couldn't find that test on Vimeo do you have a link?
 
j said:
If you want to go cheap and versatile...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CANON-EF-S-...iewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item2c51ef4e54

It's an 18-55mm zoom for well under $100. They are the stock lens for the rebel cameras and they are cheap so people get rid of them quick. I got one to supplement my 28-135 stock lens and it's actually a great deal. It's an eos lens, so all the auto functions work with it. Plus you can pick up a 58mm .5 WA adapter on ebay for dirt cheap. (they aren't flawless by any means, but if you want to get in the 9mm range, that'll get you there.)

I needed a 2nd wider lens for a spec trailer and it would have been $150 for 1 week rental. I got my lens for $65 and the adapter for $20.

If you're looking for cheap, this worked out great for me.
Click to expand...


Wow, that is really cool actually. I would be getting a zoom lens (but my first, nonetheless) as well as a fisheye with 1 lens purchase. Do you know where I can find any samples of the 18-55 with the 58mm .5 WA adapter?
 
Well, it's not on the short list any more - just pulled the trigger... $275 on ebay.
 
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