How to Make a Fisheye Lens Adapter Fit

Fisheye lenses can capture highly-distorted wide-angle shots.

Fisheye lenses capture ultra wide-angle shots while distorting the image into a round, center-magnified view. This view is used for several types of shots, including landscapes and sky photography. Their unique build and optics tend to be on the expensive side, with lenses costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, a cheaper alternative exists: Fisheye lens adapters, which screw onto the filter threads of your existing lens and mimic the behavior of a dedicated fisheye lens. Unlike a fisheye lens, fisheye lens adapters have different thread sizes and fit differently-sized filter threads. If a fisheye lens adapter doesn't fit, install a stepping ring onto the adapter.

Things You'll Need

• Step-up or step-down adapter ring

Instructions

1. Determine the size of the fisheye lens adapter's threading. On some models, this number will be on the outside of the thread. On other models, remove the rear cap and look for the threading size number imprinted on it.

2. Remove the camera's front lens cap and turn it over. The number imprinted on it is the camera's filter threading size.

3. Purchase a step-up or step-down adapter ring that corresponds to both filter threading sizes. For example, if the fisheye lens adapter is 72mm and the camera lens is 52mm, you'll need a 52mm to 72mm step-up ring. If the fisheye lens adapter is 52mm and the camera has a 62mm filter size, get a 62mm to 52mm step-down ring.

4. Screw the stepping ring onto the camera lens.

5. Remove the fisheye lens adapter's rear cap and screw the adapter onto the stepping ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Fisheye lens adapters capture less light than the lens it is installed on, so you'll need to step down a shutter speed or aperture size to compensate.

• Do not over-tighten the stepping ring or lens adapter as doing so may damage the lens threading or optics.

References

• Photopoly; "An Introduction to Fisheye Lens"; Anna Altez; August 2011
• "Understanding Photography"; Bryan Peterson; 2009
• Michigan Technological University: Dr. Ching-Kuang Shene: C-K's Digital Camera Page: It All Starts with Thread Size and Rings

Resources

• Panopticus: The Fish List
• "Creative Lighting: Digital Photography Tips and Techniques"; Harold Davis; 2011
• Digital Photography School; "15 Fun Fabulous Fisheye Photos"; Neil Creek