Phoenix 0.25X Super Fisheye Converter w/49,52,55 & 58mm adptrs. Review

I have to agree with everything that has been written in the previous reviews. This is a fun gadget; it is not for serious photography. But so what? Who cares? For the vast majority of users, our cameras are toys. We use them for entertainment, not to produce income. But other than that, ALL fisheye lenses are toys. They are novelties for occaisonal use. How often do the pros use fisheye lenses? Only occaisionally. A fisheye lens is a special effect in the same way that solarizing is a special effect. I have a different expectation of resolution and detail in a solarized image than I do in a normal image. Likewise, I have different expectations of a fisheye image than I do of a normal image.

I will differ on one point made in a previous review in that I have not noticed significant darkening near the edges of the image using my Minolta Dimage 7i. Nor do I see significant darkening at the edges of the customer images at the top of the product page. Only at extreme magnifications do I become aware of color fringing at the edges. But again, so what? If you were really determined to make a giant print you would be doing post processing work anyway.

This fisheye converter seems to be reasonably well made, however mine was not assembled with the greatest care. The edges of the lens elements are blackened to reduce internal reflections. A smear of the black paint got on the inside of the front element and escaped the scrutiny of the QC inspector (if there is a QC inspector). The smear left very noticeable spots on the photos. I was able to unscrew the front element (required two strap wrenches) and clean the marks.

One of my photos taken with this lens was featured on Earth Science Picture of the Day, August 14, 2007. ([...])

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