Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black)

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I've given this product 5 stars based on its performance for the $ . The distortion is nice, super wide angle, also nice... the only downfall is that the images are not crystal clear, the absolute center is crisp but there is some bluring towards the outter edges, however this should be expected with any adapter... you get what you pay for, and IMHO you get a good amount from this lens, I only use it from time to time for fun shots... if I decide to use the fisheye effect more often, I will likely upgrade to a professional fisheye with the 10.5mm

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

Fisheye lenses are not for everyday shooting but, they do stand out. That's why I love this little addition to my collection. I use it with my D7000 18-105 lens and it's just great. I also shoot wide with a Tokina 11-16mm but this just gives my shots a little edge that may have been missing. This does add some additional weight so I will only shoot handheld with it but you can't beat it for the price.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

Great adapter, just attach to your lens and it's a whole lot of fun. ...and it's macro!!!!!!!

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I bought this add on so my daughter could experiment with her new love of photography. She now feels I am hogging the lens and wants more camera time.

For the cost this is truly a great attachment. Yes the same limitations typical of add-on elements are there (front weight, prone to blur if not threaded properly, etc) but the final pictures are really amazing. For the HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS in savings and the fabulous quality of the image I cant think of why I wouldn't buy this lens again if I had to do it over.

TIP: due to extra weight focus in manual to avoid overworking servos in auto-focus lens. They just weren't made to handle that much weight.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I use this lens just as an occasional effects lens. It is not as good as a full lens, but definitely gives me enough for my purposes. And for the price, I think it packs a pretty good punch.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I added it to my Nikon d5100 standard lens. It makes a big difference when taking photos in a house, it really opens up the room. I attached photos for you to see. I liked it so much that I purchased another one for my Mom. Great lens!

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I have been wanting a fisheye lens for awhile now but wasn't ready to invest hundreds of dollars on something I wouldn't be using frequently. This fit the bill perfectly! I used it recently at a wedding I shot and it worked great for fun dancing shots and creative group photos. My only complaint is the weight, it is a bit heavy and when added to the weight of camera body, lens, flash, vertical grip, etc it is a bit much.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I just wanted something to play around with I wasn't interested in dropping big bucks on a dedicated fisheve lens, this is a nice low cost alternative. Image quality is fair I found using it on a tripod shooting around f8 produces pretty decent results for not spending $800.00 on a lens. Buy it, it's cheap and fun to play with!

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I like the macro effects better than the fish-eye. Its very fun for expirementing, I like the way that the macro lens blurs the edges slightly and adds more of a whimsicle look to your pictures. Definitly a fun tool to have and play with.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I was happy with this adaptor when it arrived. [...] The adapter makes your 18-55 kit lens a VERY wide fisheye. Mostly good for fun as the quality does suffer a bit through this lens adapter. But for the price, great fun, and great value.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I use this lens for personal use and experimentation. Its wonderful because it has such a scope and the focus is really sharp. Towards the edges it blurs a bit, but thats expected. The wide angle it captures is really awesome as well, as is the inclusion of the step rings.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

It's nice and solidly built (I would give up some of the solidness for a lighter weight), but as would be expected in this price range, the optics leave much to be desired; clarity drops off very quickly from the center. Still, if you know what you're getting beforehand, it's a fun little toy to mess around with, and comes with some adapter rings to boot.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I attach the Bower fisheye lens to my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. The lens has good construction it came with a carrying pouch and some adaptor rings so I don't need to pay extra. It's also a macro I actually spend more time taking pictures with only the macro adaptor.
Fisheye: Soft and blurry at the edges
Macro: With the Tamron 17-50mm my camera can't focus past 40mm. Pictures are very sharp at center, but blurry at the edges (I like the "effect") with heavy chromatic aberration.

I have already recommended this lens to a few friends. Get it and have fun before you save enough for a real fisheye and a 1:1 macro lens!

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

Purchased this fisheye to use on a Panasonic FZ30 which has a zoom lens of 35-420. The 35 just wasn't wide enough on some occasions.Did lots of research on the Raynox wide angle and others out there but decided to go with the Bower fisheye because I could essentially get 3 lens in one-- the wide angle, fisheye, and macro--- and if I didn't like it I could return it and get the Raynox which was twice the money. I have a macro on my camera which as it turns out is almost as close as the macro on the Bower. The fisheye works great for the money as does the wide angle capability. I have to use a step-up ring (3 included but not the size I needed) and my main complaint is that the back lens cap threads onto the lens and will not fit onto the lens with the step-up ring attached. Kind of a pain to take the ring off each time. And, the plastic front lens cap is a little too snug to get on and off. As with other reviews, the lens is heavy but I didn't have any problem steadying the camera. For the money, I'd buy it again.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I use this product for a video i shoot with my N7K , really good image,

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I am using this add-on with the 17-85 lens that came with the 50D. It is heavy so it will add to the creep of a lens that is already too fragile. The effect is strongest at the low end of the zoom range and becomes less noticeable very fast as you zoom in. I have also tried it on a 70-300 lens but, as expected, it did not provide any change that a photographer would find valuable. It distorts, but so does any other fisheye. Use with manual focus and check carefully for clarity on your LCD viewfinder. Overall, good value for the money.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

I bought this lens for my son. It was extremely reasonably priced and gets darn good results. Lots of versatility with fisheye separating from macro.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

Great For The Money. The lens even came with 3 Adapters wich allows me to use the Lens with the 3 Lenses I want to use the Fish Eye with.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

Great for testing the waters of fish eye photography. Focus does diminish towards the edge of frame, but is acceptable. 3 Included adapter rings are well made. Wonderful performance for the price.

Comments about Bower VLB1658 0.16x Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens (58mm Thread, Black):

If you aren't a professional photographer, I think it its the bill. For the price, it gives a nice fisheye effect. Its not perfect, as there is a decent amount of distortion at the edges... but all add-on fisheyes have this distortion anyway.

I like that it doesn't feel cheap and comes with a nice carrying pouch.

So far I'm very happy with the purchase. I bought it for my girlfriend who uses an Canon EOS T2i.