What an interesting effect! I thought a fisheye would distort the middle of the frame considerably - doesn't seem to be the case here. How did you achieve that?

Abhi: the distortion becomes progressively more severe the further you get from the centre of the lens. Also, if you position a straight line on one of the axes (left to right, or top to bottom, both through the middle of the lens) the distortion is way less noticeable. So, in this case, the horizon is relatively straight and the left side of the pier doesn't seem overly distorted. If I'd pointed the lens down the horizon and the pier would bulge upwards, and vice versa if I pointed it upwards.

All I can really say is: Wow! I really like the prespective on it! Looks sharper to me.

if you would like to scan/shoot the instructions and email them, i can translate them for you. :)

very very cool. this creates such an interesting effect - I wish I had a lens like this to play with!

oh man, i love this shot. I know fisheys lens are known as "gimicky", but I dont care...i want one and everytime i see a picture taken with one, i stare and stare.....

Lens definitely seems very very sharp...how much was added in C1 ?

And speaking of C1. How do you like it compared with PS CS ? I downloaded the trial of C1 and found it very cumbersome...

Wonderful, unique distortion! And the color combo of the rust and green is outstanding. :)

I like this shot better than yesterday. The sidewall somehow gives me a sense of motion. It's like I wanna just slide on down the thing. Love the puffy clouds too.

Very cool...I have to say that I was a mouse click away from getting one of those lenses yesturday but decided my wife may hurt me if I get anything more for my camera before she gets a couple of things she wants! I guess that's fair since I've spent a good chunk on lenses and a D70 in the past month! :) Anyways, this picture makes me want a fish eye lens even more. Keep it up and you'll cause me to sleep in the dog house! :) Thanks for the great shots. I've been visiting for months and I finally posted a comment!

This is pretty amazing. I want to see more pictures taken with your new lens! :)

mark: I've added a link in the description to an 'original' version of this shot which, as you'll see, isn't particularly sharp. As for C1, I love it. It's by far and away my favourite RAW converter. What do you find cumbersome about it?

4 days ago, djn1 said:

"miklos: as for Photoshop: I don’t personally think that a shot can be overly Photoshopped, but I do think it can be done well and it can be done badly ;-)"

I honestly hate to admit it, but I think in this case, you hit the processing dead on.

You know, I really like the original best, but maybe with the colour enhancement. I prefer the edges rounded I guess, adds to the effect.

i love this shot, and thanks for the posting of the original. i'm a beginning photographer and have been trying to figure out how people get their shots and do post-processing (which is why i love coming to chromasia so much). part of the greatness of your photoblog is that your stories. thanks so much!!!

FANTASIC ... out comes my fisheye this weekend! Simply beautiful...

Big difference from the curves adjustment! It's nice to be able to see the original, I've been playing with PS7 a bit recently.

Very nice. I like the combined effect of distortion and normal in the same shot. Thanks again for putting up the original for reference.

miklos: I'm shocked :O)

Yup! I'm going with Caroline, I like the original best.

nice place to have some skate!

I also like the combination of straight and curved lines in this photograph. I'll have to go out with my fisheye lens to capture some shots like this. Very nicely composed. Too bad about the f/8 debacle. I can relate. It's so easy to not check a setting inadvertantly.

Very interesting picture, I like the soft efect achieved with the lens and the colors and proportions.

nice shot, great in colors, i do think the big white sky is a little distracting

This is my first time here and I had to compliment. Lovely work... Your site is now in my favorites.

damit I've been saving for a nikon fisheye, harldy anyone shoots with them and now you're in on it, its going to be so widespread. But seriously nice work with this, cool to see you getting such good shots out of your first sesh. Do you think the peleng lens is a viable alternative to the nikon 10.5mm f2.8 DX fisheye? On the one hand the nikon gives full frame images but on the other it costs £500 and this lens cost what, £150? It'd be interesting to hear your opinion. Thanks

dave, interesting effect and yes, the processed image is more powerful/interesting that the original - thanks fo sharing that one though. my guess/estimate is that it is easy to get tired of this angle/distortion, but once in a while it will produce very appealing images.

Wow!
You really look like you're having a lot of fun with it.
Looks like the minute I get my 300D I will start saving for a fisheye...

Not a straight line in sight. Very entertaining.

luke: the Peleng, with the 1.6 crop of the 20D, isn't far short of being full-frame, so it's comparable to the 10.5mm Nikon. That said, and I haven't used one so this is only my expectation, I would imagine that the Nikon is quite a bit better.

nordilux: I have some specific ideas for this lens, but I agree, it would become tedious after a while.

Please add me to the people with fisheye envy :)

Nice one. I have been working with wide / fisheye type modifications lately. Really like this one. Great use of the frame and lens characteristics. Cheers.