Fisheye conversion lens

[Shinnen]

Hi BB,
I will probably use it on my Lumix FZ150; although I would like to have it work on another older Kodak z712 also. I think I'll just go to his place and try it on those two cameras. He tells me that it can be adapted to many cameras. Here is what he says, "But it isn't quite a lens in the traditional sense. It attaches to the front of a lens that's mounted to a camera. Thus it turns any lens into a fisheye lens regardless of focal length. It has a 49mm thread, so if your lens has 52mm threads you could use a step-down ring."
... john

[TCav]

If you need to use a step-down ring, there's a good chance that the ring could cause vignetting.

[BBbuilder467]

Originally Posted by Shinnen

Hi BB,
I will probably use it on my Lumix FZ150; although I would like to have it work on another older Kodak z712 also. I think I'll just go to his place and try it on those two cameras. He tells me that it can be adapted to many cameras. Here is what he says, "But it isn't quite a lens in the traditional sense. It attaches to the front of a lens that's mounted to a camera. Thus it turns any lens into a fisheye lens regardless of focal length. It has a 49mm thread, so if your lens has 52mm threads you could use a step-down ring."
... john

That's the confusion.

You're describing a "conversion lens" that you can adapt to a P&S, but that's not an M42 mount "fisheye lens" for a film body.

There are people responding trying to explain how to adapt an M42 lens to a dslr boody and use manual focus, but you don't have either.

[Shinnen]

Hi,
Well then, I don't know what he has. I'll find out on Saturday though; because I'm going to meet him.
.... john

[Shinnen]

OK. I have put off buying this lens until I have a better feel as to whether it will work with my camera(s).
Is there a SIMPLE way of determining this?
Thanks,
..... john

[BBbuilder467]

Originally Posted by Shinnen

OK. I have put off buying this lens until I have a better feel as to whether it will work with my camera(s).
Is there a SIMPLE way of determining this?
Thanks,
..... john

There is no "simple" way to calculate. There are too many variables.

Raynox makes a complete line of premium grade conversion lenses. If you go to their site, you can look up what is available for your model. If they don't have a listing for that model, there is usually a practical reason why it won't work.

There is no fisheye converter available for the FZ150 on the Raynox site, but there is for m4/3 with the same filter thread. If the lens on the FZ cycles back into the barrel, it would "crash" with the converter attached, but it could work on the Kodak.

There are cheap generic fisheye converters available, but there is no way to know what to adapt or if you will get the full effect.

You're not likely to get anywhere near the effect with a conversion lens on a P&S, that you see with a fisheye lens on a dslr or mirrorless body.

If you study the Raynox site, you'll get a lot better idea of how this works.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

Originally Posted by Shinnen

OK. I have put off buying this lens until I have a better feel as to whether it will work with my camera(s).
Is there a SIMPLE way of determining this?
Thanks, ..... john

G'day John

I have today posted into the Steve's "Add-on / Accessory Lenses" area some sample images using both Wide-Angle & Telephoto attachments

I hope that they are useful for you and help you come to a decision
[Feedback welcome]

Phil

[Shinnen]

Hi Phil,
Thanks. These are not at all what I want, or expect from this lens. I'm looking for a completely circular fish eye image, like



or completely round. That's what I thought this Takumar lens would give me.
I'm going to ask him to send me a picture take with this lens.
..... john

[Shinnen]

Hi BB,
Forgive my ignorance. What's an m4/3? The FZ150 does retract, but the filter attachment is still accessible, so that shouldn't be a problem. Would you call this Takumar lens a conversion lens?
.... john

[TCav]

Originally Posted by Shinnen

Forgive my ignorance. What's an m4/3?

That's Micro Four Thirds. It's a format used by Olympus and Panasonic for their mirrorless, interchangeable lens cameras.