fisheye lens question

[skatephoto]

Does anyone know where i can find a quality used fisheye lens for cheap. Are these fisheyes that they sell on ebay for like 70 bucks any good? thanks

 

[ksmattfish]

Quality is in the eye of the beholder, one man's trash is another man's treasure, etc...

I've used fisheye lenses designed for video camers that screw onto an existing lens; these are usually dirt cheap. I have a Kenko fisheye lens designed to be used on a still camera; I think they are a little more expensive. These are sort of gimmicky, but they work, and only you can decide if the quality is acceptable. You might be surprised.

When I worked in a camera store I got sick of trying to explain the difference between Vivitar's $200 super wide angle zoom and the Canon model which was lots more expensive. I finally shot a roll with each in the store parking lot so I could show folks. We definately started to sell a lot of those Vivitars. I think that you can notice a difference in the quality if you really look, but most folks don't see it. Or they don't see the diff that adds up to all the extra money.

I can't remember exactly what the Vivitar model description is, but it's something like a 16mm to 21mm zoom. I'm sure Sigma makes one too. These come in the common lens mounts and probably go for about $200 new, so hopefully half that used. I think you'd probably be happy with the quality. And then when you're making big bucks shooting for skate mags you can pick up the brand name model.