The aim is to boost image quality but it comes at the price of size and weight, this lens being nearly a kilogram heavier than any other 150-600mm lenses, at 2,860g.Īdvanced features include a manual override focus option, in which you can swap to manual focusing simply by twisting the focus ring, without waiting for AF to initially lock onto an object.
The whole of the front section of the lens is a lot larger than in Sigma’s Contemporary class lens, and contains two rather than one top-grade FLD elements. Be sure to back up slightly so that the model is smaller in the frame.As one of the ‘Sport’ lenses in Sigma’s Global Vision line-up, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S is built for speed and optimum performance. Sure, fisheye distortion isn’t always the most flattering, but the effects are plenty eye-catching (and by carefully positioning your portrait subject in the frame, you can avoid distorting the model).įor disorienting shots, try getting up close to your model, then ask them to point a finger, a prop, or even their eye toward the camera.Īlternatively, if you want to keep your model looking normal, position them in the center of the frame, but use the fisheye effect to distort interesting architecture all around the scene edges. Don’t forget to do fisheye portrait photographyįisheye photographers tend to neglect portrait subjects, but in my view, that’s a major mistake. For the best results, choose a location with plenty of lights and shoot at night. Just put your camera on a tripod, use a long shutter speed, and – after triggering the shutter – rotate the camera in a circle, stopping every so often to create areas of sharpness in your image. I love to use the fisheye distortion to frame my subject: The distortion can be used for amazing creative effects, whether you’re shooting outdoors (and capturing beautiful building facades) or you’re shooting indoors (and capturing museum interiors, images of tight spaces, or even photos of your own living room).
The fisheye lens is an absolute gift for architectural photographers. Yes, it’s a simple fisheye photography tip, but it’s important to emphasize: Try to create this upward effect when the sky features dramatic clouds, such as at sunrise or sunset that way, the heavily featured sky will pull its weight. Note that a large portion of the photo will feature the foreground, so make sure you include plenty of close-up interest!Īnd to make the horizon line bend upward, aim the camera toward the sky.
To make the horizon line bend downward, simply aim the lens toward the ground (i.e., the lens should be below parallel to the ground). In fact, by adjusting the position of your fisheye lens, you can make the horizon curve downward (as in the example above) or upward. The result is very cool, and it’ll certainly cause the viewer to do a double take: …and position it so as to create a heavy curve across the image. If you’re after creative landscape photos and you don’t mind heavily emphasizing the fisheye effect, then start by including a horizon line in your image… Now that you’re familiar with the fisheye photography basics, let’s take a closer look at how you can create amazing fisheye photos. The choice is yours! 5 fisheye photography tips for beautiful results So before pulling out that fisheye lens, ask yourself:ĭo I want a creative, unusual, unnatural image? Or do I want a more conventional, yet also more accurate, rendering of my subject?
Therefore, fisheye lenses are not ideal if your goal is to capture accurate documentary photos, flattering portraits, meditative still-life shots, or naturalistic landscapes. Remember, however, that fisheye shots are heavily distorted and therefore unrealistic – and sometimes shocking – in their rendering of everyday subject matter. Photographers rely on these lenses to produce fresh, original images of dozens of subjects, and here are just a few of the many popular choices: The intense distortion produces eye-catching, even disorienting, compositions, and you can use fisheye lenses for all sorts of unique shots. When should you use a fisheye lens?įisheye lenses are a great way to capture stunning creative effects. Manufacturers do sell a few zoom fisheye lenses, which feature smaller (f/4) maximum apertures but – thanks to the zoom range – deliver greater flexibility. The majority of fisheyes are prime lenses, and they typically offer an f/2.8 maximum aperture and a focal length of 8mm or 15mm. Note that you can get either a prime or a zoom fisheye lens. For this reason, you cannot use a regular lens cap on a fisheye lens, and you cannot use standard filters, either. Indeed, fisheye photography is all about capturing unique perspectives and compositions.įisheye lenses, unlike most standard lenses, feature a bulbous front element. Generally speaking, distortion is problematic – but fisheye photographers work to embrace the distortive effect.