Wide angle filters...any good?

[Godfuader]

So, came across this on e-bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-52mm-0-45X-Wide-Angle-w-Macro-Lens-for-Nikon-AF-SLR_W0QQitemZ270399311790QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item3ef50e0fae&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:15|66:2|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:2|294:50) Basically its a wide-angle filter. Obviously it wont be as good as a wide-angle lens...but can you really go wrong with a fraction of the price? :dunno:

Eventually would like to go with the 12-24...but that is still $1,000+

[seer_claw]

Why not save up for a lens like Sigma's 10-20?

Sigma (http://www.thecamerastore.com/products/catalog/nikon-af-mount/sigma-10-20-mm-f4-56-ex-dc-hsm-nikon-mount)

Or the Tokina 12-24?

Tokina (http://www.thecamerastore.com/products/catalog/zoom-lenses/tokina-atx-12-24-f4-nikon-mount)

I have the Sigma and its an awesome lens that costs a lot less than the Nikon.

[ex1z7]

Or the Tokina 11-16 which is better than both of the above posted =)

[clem24]

Originally posted by ex1z7
Or the Tokina 11-16 which is better than both of the above posted =)

That's if you can actually find one.

As for the wide angle adapter, I can guarantee that the sample picture they show in the auction is not from the lens itself. I am willing the bet this thing distorts like crazy (as in weird distortions), has soft/unusable sides, probably won't allow your lens to autofocus, and will likely drop the lens by a couple stops... For $35, I suppose it's worth a try, but then again, you can also think of it as $35 off a real wide angle...

Mind you I do have a genuine Sony wide angle adapter for my HD Handycam and that works amazingly well, but it also cost more than $100...

[Bukka]

Originally posted by clem24


That's if you can actually find one.

As for the wide angle adapter, I can guarantee that the sample picture they show in the auction is not from the lens itself. I am willing the bet this thing distorts like crazy (as in weird distortions), has soft/unusable sides, probably won't allow your lens to autofocus, and will likely drop the lens by a couple stops... For $35, I suppose it's worth a try, but then again, you can also think of it as $35 off a real wide angle...

Mind you I do have a genuine Sony wide angle adapter for my HD Handycam and that works amazingly well, but it also cost more than $100...
Seneal Cameras just off stephen has had a few 11-16's for a while now. Maybe the people who go in there aren't into getting one...but everytime I've went in they had a few 11-16's

[AccentAE86]

11-16 stock has finally caught up to demand... it only took them a year.

I tried one of those... holy crap what horrible image quality. And the way it distorts is more along the lines of fisheye distortion rather than the rectilinear distortion of the ultrawide lenses being discussed.

[Godfuader]

Okay, so the generic ones seem like a no-go. :thumbsdow

How about this fisheye one from Tokina (http://cgi.ebay.com/WIDE-ANGLE-0-22X-FISHEYE-LENS-for-Nikon-D50-D40-D40X_W0QQitemZ360153954126QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item53dad9374e&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301:0|293:1|294:30)?

[clem24]

Doesn't seem all that useful:

http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/bud-weis-er

I have a Nikon fish and I must say I hardly use it. It's a fun lens and can create some really amazing pictures, but the times that I can use it is not often. Instead of spending the $70+shipping+taxes+whatever, just look for a used wide. I sold my mint Tokina 12-24 not too long ago here for about $400.