Hi, I am looking at buying teh Nikon D300 and wondered which fisheye lens to go for. Should it be the Nikon 10.5mm or the Sigma 8mm or other.

I am currently using a one shot lens and want to improve my game. I see taht many people use the D300 and it has a lot of good reviews. I am confused however which lens to get and also what else I should be looking at getting. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. I know this is open territory but user feed back from people actually doing tours and the equipement they use is the only way I can find out the direction to go. If I am going to spend a lot of money I would like to know that I have spent it in the right direction. 

I am off to Hong Kong in a weeks time and hope to find some good deals on the camera and lens its just a case of knowing what to go for.

Look forward to any advice going.

It really depends on what you want to produce.

You have options:

• Nikkor 10.5mm Fisheye (6+TB) can be five shot +TB
• Sigma 4.5mm Fisheye (3) can be two shot with little overlap
• Sigma 8mm Fisheye (4) can be three shot with 60 degree angle
• Sigma 10mm Fisheye (6+TB) can be five shot +TB
• Tokina 10-17mm Zoom Fisheye (6+TB) can be five shot +TB
• Sunex Superfisheye (3) can be two shot with little overlap
• (Panoweaver compatible)

Personally I feel you really can't go passed the Nikkor 10.5mm Fisheye. Second to that would be the Sigma 8mm Fisheye for minimising shots. The Tokina has it's advantages as it can be used for different purposes. They would be my top three.

........and you will need a quality panohead too match.

If you are looking for used secondhand panohead contact me I have quite a few for sale.

Regards, Smooth 

Thanks Smooth, as I am new to this I guess I would like to take as fewer shots as necessary so I am guessing that the Sigma 8mm would be my best option.

Am I right in thinking that all I require is

A) The Camera - possibly D300 a good option

B) Sigma 8mm Lens

C) A Pano head/rotator

D) Decent Tripod - i.e Manfrotto

C) Stitching Software

D) Possibly HDR software for merging bracketed shots.

Am I missing any fundamental parts/accessories in my shopping list?

Thanks for the input.

Hi

Mmmm, the Nikkor lens seems to get a very respectful rating. I currently use the Sigma 8mm (4+T) with reasonable results(although I will embark shortly with smooth regarding tuition on improving my end results). I have 2 questions. Would it make a noticeable difference with the end result to justify the expense of the Nikkor lens?. Secondly, I assume I would need to reset the NP each time a lens change is required? Has anyone gone from the Sigma to the Nikkor lens and, if so, what is there opinion between the two.

Terry,

You will not see a huge difference in quality of result when compared at the same "final" display size. The advantage of the Sigma 8mm is the reduction in images needed. But you are also sacrificing "possible" maximum image size. 

It is horses for courses and that is why I own both.

Simply buying another lens will not instantly improve your results (unless you think and display bigger is better).

Finding the correct Hyperfocal focus setting and having a good processing workflow is much more valuable.

....and yes the NPP setting for each lens is different and will require adjustment.

Regards, Smooth

Mike,

You should look to Pano2VR software and it's new Patch option. This is not restricted in file sizes like PTEditor and can handle 16Bit image files. (and soon will remember it's extracted position with $c command) Really worth a look!

Regards, Smooth