MetroRuss
Posts: 44
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Registered: 6 Mar 2013
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Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 Sony-alpha
Posted: 7 Mar 2013 at 6:57 GMT
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Hello all,
Great hang out, thanks for all the info.
Just purchased an A57 with the 18-55 kit lens. Aquired a Minolta 70-210 F4 and now would now like to add a wide angle or fisheye lens to the pack. I am totally captivated with 360/180 panos and I hope to map out a few areas in my city with the hotspot map links.
I have a noob question based on my requirements, I hope it is not already gone over here in the forum. If it has please forgive me for posting my own.
I have been practicing with the 18-55 in a few malls and public parks. It takes a long time to complete a 360 with the kit lense and as well, the final product is not turning out so well. I am using Autopano giga trial and PS CS5.1 to stitch in the most basic ways and Panotour Pro to view.
I am trying to learn how to do this at a higher level so that I can offer this service to retailers and businesses in my area. I think the google maps walking right into a storefront will be big.
As well, I would like to take interior real estate photos and 360 tours for my own listings. (I am a real estate sales person)
My wife thinks my new camera and gear are going to be a money pit and will cost endless amounts of money. I promised her I will stop buying equipment after I get a wide angle or fisheye lens, panohead and some software. 
So, my question..... with this Sony A57, and what I would like to do, what wide angle/fisheye lens would you recommend to hopefully satismy most of my requirements. Or would I have to plead to the wife to buy both. Something like a Sigma 10-20 and the above mentioned OEM 8mm fisheye.
Dennis, John and Smooth, love your work and all your generous help here on the forum. God bless you guys.
Thank you so much for any comments in advance.
Russ
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Smooth
Posts: 4014
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 Sony-alpha
Posted: 7 Mar 2013 at 8:23 GMT
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G'day Russ,
Mate, the Samyang/Rokinon 8mm Fisheye is your cheapest way in. It will give you the results with a minimum of shots although it will require a zenith shot. Probably best shooting 6 around @ 60° Click stops + 2 Zenith Shots at +70° 180° opposed.
You will of course require a panohead like the Nodal Ninja 4.
Welcome to the forum and panorama photography.
Regards, Smooth 
www.omnipix.com.au
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MetroRuss
Posts: 44
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Registered: 6 Mar 2013
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Re: Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 Sony-alpha
Posted: 8 Mar 2013 at 3:26 GMT
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Hi smooth,
Thanks for confirming the lens choice.
I just shot a friends rental suite, 4br-2bath with 2 panoramas -1,0,+1 and took 220+ pics. The panos took up a lot of time with 3 rows of pics.
I just watched the panorama tutorial by pano.ir and it was enlightening.
Have you ever used an 8mm for interior architecture? Would I use panorama software to straighten out the fisheye effect?
Would the 8mm be a suitable lens for a real estate salesperson. Or should I plan for and start saving up for a rectilinear 10-20 type lens?
Kudos to you smooth.
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Smooth
Posts: 4014
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 Sony-alpha
Posted: 8 Mar 2013 at 4:00 GMT
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Hi Russ,
Yes, I have used the 8mm for interior architecture and de-fished using PTGui or Auto Pano Pro/Giga. As a bonus you can choose your projection type. While you will get satisfactory results, you will eventually find it far easier and faster to use the correct lens for the job. If you can afford both, thats what I would do.
Basically you want the fisheye lens for 360x180 panoramas and a nice wide rectilinear lens for architecture shots.
220+ shots is ridiculous for a single room for real estate purposes. -1,0,+1 doesn't seem to be worthwhile either. Better to go -2,0,+2 as you can pull single stops from a single RAW image quite easily.
Anyway if you can justify both lenses, they should pay for themselves within weeks if you have the work.
Regards, Smooth
www.omnipix.com.au
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MetroRuss
Posts: 44
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Registered: 6 Mar 2013
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Re: Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 Sony-alpha
Posted: 8 Mar 2013 at 5:35 GMT
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Thanks smooth
keep on rocking 
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MetroRuss
Posts: 44
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Registered: 6 Mar 2013
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Re: Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 Sony-alpha
Posted: 9 Mar 2013 at 17:37 GMT
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Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has had a look or owns the Rokinon HD8M, its a new HD lens from Samyang www.amazon.com/Rokinon-HD8M-C-Fisheye-Removeable-...
I just found it last night and I am trying to figure out if it is a better lens for my requirements over the FE8M.
Have a great weekend
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