Hi,

I would like to upgrade  my equipment (Nikon coolpix 4300 + FC-E8 + Ipix Rotator) to a coolpix 8700 + FC-E9 + Agnos MrotatorB.

Everything was allright, but now that Agnos have Rotators for Canon SLR cameras, my desition on the coolpix 8700 is not 100%.

I have an Canon EOS rebel (Not digital) with a Sigma 28-300 lens. So now I'm thinking in the EOS 300D.

Now, I have to decide between EOS 300D or Coolpix 8700.

I'm thinking using Nikon FC-E9 with the camera I will decide, as now Agnos Mrotator can combine this lens with Canon EOS SLR digital camera.

Wich one would be better?....

1.- Coolpix 8700 + FC-E9 + Mrotator.

or

2.- Canon EOS 300D +  FC-E9 + Mrotator.

I will appreciatte your comments.

Thanks  :)

Hard choice!

But as Agnos has pointed out you will require a 24mm lens (But I guess the 18-55 that ships with the 300D would be OK)

Not sure the quality of the images would be any (or much) better with a FC-E9 coupled to a Canon lens. For superior quality you would need look to fitting a Sigma 8mm.

For me at this stage I think you would probably be better off with a Coolpix 8800 that has just been released.

But! SLR's are a better camera for versatility so I'm not really being that much help. I know!, do like me and buy both! That way you sleep better.... (Most likely because the wife has knocked you out! LOL)

Oh! and Panoweaver 4 is not that far away! (Just to add more confusion  )

Regards, Smooth

Another solution could be the new Raynox 185 dgr. full circle Hi-grade fisheye released at Photokina. I think this will be a better choise for Dslr.

regards

Per

Per,

Do you have sample shots taken with this lens?

Better still panorama images?

All the reports I have read do not really rate the Raynox lens very highly.

But the proof is in the pudding "As they say" Show us all, I'm sure we all would like to see.

Regards, Smooth

Smooth

Sorry, no samples.

the only information I have is a picture.

http://boligfoto.dk/raynox/raynox185.html

If any other should have any further information, please share it.

regards

Per

The Raynox website has some examples
http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/egindex.htm

I wasn't impressed.

IMO I would keep the cp4300 as and get a Digital rebel or a Nikon D70 for versatility.

Not totally unexpected: Nikon CP8800 8mp

DPREVIEW - Preview - Expected $999,  Available Fall 2004 ?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0409/04091603nikoncp8800.asp

The Coolpix 8800 is compatible with Coolpix accessory lenses including the all new 1.7x ED glass teleconverter (TC-E17ED) (600mm), the new 0.8x Wide Angle Adapter (WM-E80) (28mm) and the Fisheye converter lens (FC-E9) (7mm).

Magnesium alloy / Plastic
Sensor	? 8.3 megapixel (total) CCD ? 8.0 million effective pixels ? 2/3" Type (click here) ? RGB Color Filter Array
Image sizes	? 3264 x 2448 ? 3264 x 2176 (3:2) ? 2592 x 1944 ? 2048 x 1536 ? 1600 x 1200 ? 1280 x 960 ? 1024 x 768 ? 640 x 480

? Quality
      ? RAW (RAW)
      ? Hi (TIFF)
      ? Extra (JPEG)
      ? Fine (JPEG)
      ? Normal (JPEG)
      ? Basic (JPEG)
? Size
      ? 8M (3264 x 2448)
      ? 5M (2592 x 1944)
      ? 2M (1600 x 1200)
      ? 1M (1280 x 960)
      ? PC (1024 x 768)
      ? TV (640 x 480)
      ? 3:2 (3264 x 2176)

But then you probably already knew this.

Dave

Thanks for your advise...

Well, it's a Hard choise. I was thinking in Canon EOS with FC-E9 because with the sigma fisheye it doesn't take the "Full" frame..and also..It's more expensive ...I'm not from USA, and I have to pay double with all taxes and shipping fees.

I'm going to take my time, and maybe next month I will decide wich one is better.

I really love nikon coolpix cameras.....but also an SLR is a perfect "Toy".

I have read tha FC-E9 is not as good as FC-E8...Is that right?...Is a good equipment a coolpix 8700 with FC-E9?

Thanks.

Hmmm people here on the forum will say.. you far better off with a dSLR because of its larger 2/3 rds CCD.  Bigger CCD, more pixels to capture, more detail, higher image dynamic range, more lens selection and over all just a better deal.  Some of the panoramas I have seen on forum members sites support this logic.

Few issues I have with dSLR's are,

No digital viewfinder.  You can only see your image on playback mode.

We normally take portrait panorama image series.  The Nikon D70/ D100 does not have a full circle (3 or 4 images) Nikkor fisheye.  Using a Nikkor 10.5 (a 16mm) requires 6 to 8 images +2 up/down. I have heard that Sigma 8mm can be used with some success but it is not as sharp as a Nikkor lens.

Assuming your dSLR was purchased with a zoomable lens. You must change to prime fisheye lens for panorama work.  Changing lenses exposes the CCD to unwanted dust particles which show up on your otherwise crystal clear imaging as undesireable artifacts. This is an on-going built in maintance issue.

For my understanding... that is too many issues with dSLR's at this time.

Regarding the clarity of the FC-E9 versus the E8.  Don't know all we use is the E8.

For most folks "Toy" = "Tool".

Dave

It is a fact that the FC-E9 is a softer lens then the FC-E8. But you of course can connect the FC-E9 lens to both larger mega pixel cameras. (8400,8700 and 8800 Nikon Coolpix and with Agnos adaptor also dSLR) This sort of makes up for the slight loss.

The points Dave mention are fair enough! As for the dust well I change lenses only in my office or car (Never outside) I have never had a problem.

I also agree the Nikon 10.5mm lens is a little clearer then the Sigma 8mm but you are not really comparing apples with apples. Big difference in price and 10.5mm is not 8mm and most of the population prefer Canon over Nikon (or any other brand) when it comes to dSLR's.

Both Canon and Kodak offer "Full Size" sensors 35mm format that will give "full circular" fisheye images that can be used with Panoweaver 3.01 pro. But you will need a good bank balance. The upcoming version of Panoweaver 4.0 we all believe will support images taken with dSLR fitted with a Sigma 8mm lens (No mention of the Nikkor/Nikon 10.5mm lens being supported that I know of.)

If you are unsure, you really should take a look at the panorama's produced with both combinations. I have fullscreen dSLR-Sigma combos on my site and the panorama's on Jeremy's www.360.hk are all done with a Coolpix 8700 and FC-E9. The release of Panoweaver 4.0 will decide where I head next, if I can stitch easily with my Canon 10D + Sigma 8mm I will continue with this set up! If not I will be forced to buy a Canon 1Ds to mate to my Sigma 8mm.

There! That should make things as clear as mud!

Regards, Smooth