Review on Opteka Professional Fisheye Digital Cameras by Trey Samuels

Just received this conversion lens. As other reviews say, you get what you pay for. But in this case it's not so bad. If you want to have fun experimenting with a wide-angle fisheye lens before buying the $600-$900 Pro option, it's definitely worth it. Fisheye pictures are something of a novelty and all the fun factor can wear off over time. Another reason to choose an inexpensive option. I'm not entirely sure why that matters, but the lens is actually made in China, not Japan. (Edit: I notified Revain and they removed this detail from the product description. China.) With this I got a solid, well-made lens and the glass is crystal clear. I was impressed with the design. The rubber grips work well and the threads allow for easy and smooth screwing of the lens into the lens. It also comes with two adapter rings that allow it to fit any diameter from 52mm to 58mm. It fits my Canon 18-55mm kit lens with the larger of the two adapters. Without either adapter, it fits my Canon Prime f/1.8 50mm lens perfectly. It also comes with a mostly useless cleaning cloth and a small felt pouch for storing the lens when not in use. The bag felt comfortable.2. The lens is quite heavy. While it can be nice when you hold it, I'm wondering if the weight can affect the "gears" in my kit lens when the camera is autofocusing. I can't help but feel that this could add significant tension. So far this doesn't seem to be an issue, but it might be worth mentioning. The weight seems to slow down the autofocus of my 18-55mm kit lens a bit. but not enough to really worry. I guess I'll have to see some effects from extended use, but I think my Canon lenses are built well enough to handle the extra weight.3. It doesn't say "Canon", "Canon", "XS", "XT", "XSi", "30D", etc. anywhere on the lens or packaging. However, this lens is suitable for any camera if the diameter is correct from 50 to 58 mm. It must also match the video cameras. This is a regular SLR converter lens that fits most lenses with adapter rings.4. I don't understand all the fuss about the HD aspect at all. When you hold the lens to your eye and look into it like a mirror, it becomes amazingly bright and clear and truly "HD". The rest of the camera looks good. Nothing to admire.5. As mentioned in previous reviews, at maximum magnification you get a full "round" fisheye look. You can see the edge of the lens, but it's a beautiful effect and a joy to use. Zoom in a bit and you'll get a nice wide-angle shot. The edges look a bit washed out, but I don't see that as a big issue as it's a cheap lens. All in all, I'm really looking forward to using it for longer. I don't regret the purchase one bit. Photography is an expensive hobby and I'm glad there are inexpensive options for people who just want to try different shots.