Choosing a fisheye lens for dx (Nikon D5100)

[bdbroker]

Hi gents,

I own a Nikon D5100 and I want to buy a fisheye lens. Currently I have these three lenses in sight:

1) Nikon 10.5mm 2.8 fisheye. Has the old noisy autofocus.
2) Sigma 10mm 2.8. Has the new autofocus. I have the 17-50 2.8 HSM, no complains about it what so ever.
3) Samyang 8mm. Has no autofocus, but has a smaller focal length.

Has anybody experience with these? What do you recommend me?

Thanks ,
bdbroker

 

[480sparky]

If the Nikkor 10.5 has 'noisy autofocus', it's a dud. They don't have motors in them, so AF on your D5100 is out.

I went with the 10.5 simply because of the f/2.8, size and weight.

"Shorter focal length" will gain you nothing. 180* FOV is 180* FOV.

 

[tirediron]

Why are you concerned with AF on a fisheye????? Even wide open, the DoF is going to be something like 3' to infinity. Focusing really isn't an issue; just point and shoot. If you're going to get one, get the Nikkor 10.5. It is hands down, the BEST fisheye for DX format.

 

[KmH]

For the price the Samyang (Pro-Optic, Bowrer, Rokinon, et al) 8 mm f/3.5 is tough to beat, particularly the newer version updated with a CPU for Nikon cameras.
Still no AF motor because of it's size, but with the CPU you have full exposure control, i-TTL flash exposure control, and lens related EXIF data.