Is there distortion with this large lense? If so, how much of it is clearly usable?
616943
It is not noticeable for 90% of the areas. Only the very edge, and is very slight. Doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I wouldn't have noticed it if weren't because of your question.
616944
So far as working on printed circuit boards there is no noticeable distortion even at the outer edge of the lens.
616945
I haven't noticed any. Since its pretty good quality glass the direct view is distortion free for the whole lens. When I got this question I started playing with it and found no real distortion looking through at a angles up to 30 degrees and past the edge of the lens.
616946
I don't see any distortion, I use it for tying small flies for fly fishing.
2121984
I haven't noticed any distortion. Just shot several photos to recreate what you are seeing and they all look clear, with and without flash. If it started after you got the case, you may have a defective one?
2173991
I got this lens for my brother, and I really like it, we used a lot. Take a look of some pictures at www.mediawork.ws
600121
The thing that makes it is the lenses I have had no problems with mine and it break down in what you want to do with it . Just keep your file updated and you should be happy with it.
846040
This a manual lense. Being 8mm focassing is not a problem as long as you remember to keep it around infinity unless your subject is within a few feet. I have had a lot of success with this lense and would recomend.
1134881
I only really used one lens and that was ok. never checked the others. but I will now. sorry I didn't have the answer.
604638
This is not my experience. My mirror is fabulous. I see no distortion on the "sides". Granted, with 15x magnification, you cannot look at the mirror from a distance. You have to be up close. I bought two of these mirrors. One for my Mother and one for myself. No regrets...would most definitely buy it again.
1695327
I agree it not a super/ ultra wide. I'm not sure that is it's best use anyways. It is as wide as I could find at f/1.8 at 18mm (27mm relative) at this price point with near perfect clarity. I use mine for indoor group shots and can tell you it is wide enough for that and the pictures are amazing with this glass. If you really want wide angle then I would consider prime lens.
196652
This is one of the best lens I ever used in every aspect. There is some distortion especially at 14 mm but nothing that couldn't be automatically corrected during the import phase using the exif data. So I wouldn't worry to much. The main problem you could get for architecture photography is that the keystone effect is more visible with a wide angle lens, but this is a general problem, nothing to do with the lens itself, and could be an effect that you are looking for.
1343521
Ditto on the other answers, plus I added a Wide Angle Converter Lens. Expensive, but worth the price to avoid panning.
1758796
FWIW, mine is usable only for general composition purposes. Forget about focusing, or even really seeing what you're shooting with it. I actually put mine away the day it arrived from amazon and didn't touch it again for probably a year, and figured I should have simply returned it. But since then I've come to terms with what it can and can't do, and put it on in the sunshine when I can't see the screen, and use it just for positioning large objects in the composition.
2272680
I've tinkered with star trails using this lens and I did notice some coma (although it seemed better than my 11-16). That said, with ultrawide lens' general propensity for aberrations, I would expect it to be an issue with any of the lower cost options. However, even my Nikkor 16-35 (as good as it gets) exhibits a little if you are looking for it under the right circumstances, but for trails it is moot. Also, it will depend some on whether or not you get a "good" copy; lens characteristics can vary somewhat between copies, so when I can find a particular lens locally, I'll test a few copies and keep the best one.
2281139
Yes because it is, but it is a telescope lens which means if you plan on taking pictures from far away it is a good size, if not, you may wanna try something with a smaller mm
719928
Not bad to me :-)I mostly use MF lenses adapter on it and the peak value is very useful!
1728846
I was in an art museum and took several pictures of framed paintings. I did have very significant distortion at that closer range. No experience as of yet with buildings but I would assume that with a 17mm there would be some distortion.
1721828
My experience is it's field of view is good, just don't try to stitch two or more later as it does have a small bit of fisheye effect at edges. A single picture by itself is not at all noticeable. Just make sure when you use it make sure it is locked onto the 14 x42 lens and that lens is also full on the 14 setting.
1938142
Very! But the shots taken by it are worth the effort. As the other commenters said, you should slow down and set it up properly...... this is not your regular point and shoot to go type of lens. And it's extremely bulbous and heavy with a lot of knobs...... good luck!