An expensive lesson - Nikon 16mm Fisheye

CabanSail · 10-02-2015 2:34am #1

My 16mm Fisheye has always had problems with AF. It did not worry me much as the DoF is so big it hardly makes a difference. The problem is that now that I have been shooting some stuff with more distance in them the shots have been quite soft in a lot of cases. Rang up the local (ish) Nikon authorised repair centre and they said to bring it in as it's covered under warranty. Dropped it in about two weeks ago and they could not repair it there and it needed to be sent to the main workshop.

It's now back and I have to pay them $75 as stupidity is not covered under the warranty.

The lens comes with a set of rear filters. I did not want any colour correction so did not fit them. Apparently you have to fit one. There is a clear UV filter. If you don't it makes the lens soft and have AF problems.

Note to self - RTFM

pete4130 · 10-02-2015 10:11am

I've got the Nikon 16mm fisheye lens the past 5 or 6 years and never had any issues with it and never had to fit any rear filter to get it to work properly.

Mine is the 2.8 D lens. Same as yours?

....just gone to look at it. Mine DOES in fact have a small rear filter already fitted since from factory. I never knew it was even there.

CabanSail · 11-02-2015 2:42am

Yes Pete, same lens.

My filters were in a little wallet and I did not realise I needed to fit one. I guess if it had been fitted already I would not have made this mistake.

Like using this lens but was not pleased with the softness, so hopefully all will be good now. Just need to modify the lens cap to stay on. I did have some tape around the inner side and it worked but it became soft. Need some better tape I guess.

pete4130 · 11-02-2015 5:26am

The lens cap is an issue for me too. I usually just squeeze it out of shape a little to give it a snug fit but its not a solution. Been meaning to put some thin, very thin velvet tape around the inside of the lens cap to make it a bit tighter.
I've the same issue with my 35mm and 40mm Bronica lenses.

CabanSail · 11-02-2015 9:07am

Velvet tape sounds very sensual.

flyingsnail · 11-02-2015 12:41pm

$75 is expensive for not reading the manual but when I read the thread title I was expecting there to be a lot more digits in the mistake :P

magicbastarder · 11-02-2015 1:03pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLb9CJXO7s4#t=54s

CabanSail · 23-02-2015 12:25am

My Fisheye has returned home. Now with the clear filter fitted it's fantastic. Much sharper and AF works.

They seem to have polished the front element, which had some weird marks on it, so I got something for my money.

@Pete4130 - Have stuck a ring of Elastoplast around the inner diameter of the lens cap. It now fits quite snugly and is still easy to remove.

pete4130 · 23-02-2015 11:17am

That sounds perfect with the elastoplast. I'll try that when I get home in a week.

I'm off to Golden Plains Festival then and weighing up what kit to bring to a 3 day festival....D3 & 24-70/80-200/fisheye kit and be responsible....or Yashica T4 super and Nikonos 5...

Where are you based again?

CabanSail · 23-02-2015 12:17pm

I am up in the wet wet Northern Rivers, near Lismore NSW.

DaireQuinlan · 23-02-2015 12:25pm

pete4130 wrote:

.D3 & 24-70/80-200/fisheye kit and be responsible....or Yashica T4 super and Nikonos 5...

You know what the right decision is

An expensive lesson - Nikon 16mm Fisheye

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