Faux Fisheye Lens : Ps

[robertwatcher]

I posted this on another forum and figured it may be of value here as well.

this post is a copy of my response  to a  question regarding whether to purchase a wide angle lens or a fisheye lens. After stating my preference for wide angle lenses and dislike of gimmicky lens like Fisheyes, Lens Baby, etc - and recommending a wide angle as a smarter investment  - - - I responded:

BTW - there used to be screw in fisheye attachments for the front of a lens that did a just fine job for the odd time a fisheye is needed for effect. If they are still available it may save some money so you could have both.

After stating that I got wondering what I could do in Photoshop to get a similar fisheye look. And this was the result and follow up post:

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Or if you just want to have fun once in a while, you can just create your own fisheye images in Photoshop (using the Perspective Control Filter) out of any image file you have.

  you and the odd technical guru might know it's not right - but will anyone else?



The first 2 shots  were taken with long focal lengths of 200mm or so. This one was taken with my Sigma 10-20 (which I love) at the 10mm setting and turned into a usable fisheye in PS:



ON SECOND THOUGHT - Photoshop may result in a better quality image than throwing a cheap plastic fisheye adapter over your lens.

BTW - I've never tried this before - you're question has sparked an interest in me and got my juices going. I always make sure I can do what I want out of nothing or with what I have, instead of investing money in something designed to do it.  If I can't do it with what I have and I need to do it - I may then lay down hard cash

Have Fun

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[robertwatcher]

THEN AFTER SOMEONE RESPONDED THAT THEY WANTED TO DO IT BUT PSE DIDN'T PROVIDE THE TOOLS . . .

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EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE.  FREE FREE FREE

I just did a search to see what software is around for perspective and distortion control. There are many, but I came across this very complex astronomical wonder of a software - not designed for photographers - but providing all the manipulative features desired (by the way I even found a very interesting free stitching software - complex and mathematical, but thorough):

http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/us/iris/iris.htm

Once I installed the program, I opened a normal wide angle rectangular shot I took in Niagara Falls and went to "Geometry > Fisheye >" and set Projection to "Sphere" and VOILA with this result:



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[robertwatcher]

I have never liked Fisheye Gimmicks - - - but I had one request early last year from a musician who wanted a true fisheye image for his website and even though I could rent a camera to do it, I'd have to drive 3 hours to Toronto to get it and learn a new camera and its controls - plus he didn't want to fork out for the rental - - - and so I declined the job. If I had only been thinking then - - - he wouldn't have known the difference. I just printed out an 8x10 of one of the above spheres and it printed perfectly.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Robert,

I like your attitude! And now I know what to do if I ever get a yearning for a fish-eye view.

Thanks for showing this.