How can I create a convex, bulging fisheye look in my photos?
Asked 6/30/2011
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I want to make photos with a strong bulge in the center and tapered, curved edges, similar to a convex-lens or fisheye effect. I use a Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd, which does not have interchangeable lenses. Is this effect created with a lens, an add-on adapter, or software, and what are my options with this camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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I used to take a lot of pictures like that and you have the same make of camera as me. The Fuji Finepix doesn't have interchangeable lenses so it's not as easily done as on other SLRs where you just buy a new super-wide lens.
I used a fisheye adapter that screws onto the front filter thread of the camera. This is a 0.42 times converter so a 30mm lens becomes a 18.6mm lens. The adapter is not too expensive so is a cheap option for people who can't afford a dedicated fish-eye lens. However, it is not as optically perfect as the dedicated lens would be. You may find it a little soft at the edges and there is quite pronounced vignetting, sometimes producing an almost round image.
The picture below is one of mine. In this shot I put the horizon dead centre so it wouldn't distort but you can see the bending effect on the trees. Simply moving the horizon up or down in the frame will cause it to bend like the photo you linked to.
Originally by user5763. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user5763
15y ago
0
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That look is typically a fisheye effect. It’s usually made with a dedicated fisheye lens, but since your Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd doesn’t use interchangeable lenses, your practical options are:
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A screw-on wide/fisheye converter that fits the camera’s front filter thread. These can produce the bulging center and curved edges, but image quality is usually lower than a real fisheye lens. Expect softer corners and possible heavy vignetting, sometimes even a circular image.
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Software simulation after shooting. Some programs can apply fisheye-style distortion convincingly. This is often the easiest option if you can’t fit a suitable adapter.
For the strongest effect, shoot as wide as your camera allows and place straight lines or the horizon away from the center if you want them to curve more noticeably. Keeping the horizon centered reduces distortion; moving it up or down exaggerates the fisheye look.
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