Three new Nikkors officially annouced

[chris dees]

Okay, I've never owned, or even shot, a fisheye, but I think I understand them, somewhat. With that in mind, I have a question. If the question is not applicable, please let me know, and I'll go back to knowing absolutely nothing about a fisheye, much less somewhat.

In order not to include one's feet in the image they need to extend the camera further away from their body. I won't get into the part where that would make good technique harder to accomplish, at lest for me. But, with the camera extended, the eye is no longer able to see through the viewfinder, so one would have to go to Live View. If one did that then wouldn't they need to block the viewfinder to keep stray light entering it from altering the exposure? If so, how  did folks manage before camera had the Live View function?

Yes, I know that the use of a tripod would allow one to setup the image using the VF, then step back and pull the trigger, but it looks to me like we are seeing a lot of hand held fisheye work here. If I sound confused, well, I am. 

You mean like this?
Beside the unsharpness.

[CS]

Yes, that is an example of what I'm talking about.

[David H. Hartman]

A sort of boom arm (don't know what to call the device) with a counter weight would allow one to use a tripod with a fisheye. I don't think this will be come popular for a variety of reasons. Anyway it's out there and might be useful in some special situations. I'm pretty sure I have the stuff but I've never done it.

Dave Hartman

The widest I've shot is 15/5.6 AI and 16/2.8 AIS. Even here one has to take care not to photography one's feet.

[atpaula]

With the Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 one has to take care not to get his own butt in the frame.
lol

[golunvolo]

With the Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 one has to take care not to get his own butt in the frame.
lol

  I have several examples of my own feet in the frame too if you like 

  I have no answer to your question other than I´m being extra cautious. Extending the arms to shot and framing per practice or per instinct or perhaps is on the way. My best bet, other than that, is the angle in which you point it. Others may have more and better advice.

[Akira]

I've only used a diagonal fisheye, and it was enough to remember to lean my upper body forward, even in the portrait orientation.

That said, my camera was a m4/3 one.  The angle of view of APS-C and full frame formats are wider on the longer side, so a bit of extra care would be necessary.

[David H. Hartman]

The foremost problem with shooting the 15/5.6 AI is all the people waving back at you when all you intended was to keep the sun from gracing the bulbous front element with your hand.

The problem of photographing one's feet is easily solved if the photographer would simply remember to wear nice shoes.

[Roland Vink]

Feel free to contribute the first serial number to my site ...

[chris dees]

Feel free to contribute the first serial number to my site ...

Done...

[Akira]

Chris, congrats on your purchase of zoom fisheye which hasn't hit the shelf in Japan yet.   

[Erik Lund]

Congratulations Chris
Here is how to shoot with the 6mm
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,3011.msg44104.html#msg44104
Same principle worked on a monopod, images of that in the Scotland thread,,,

[CS]

Nobody wants to address my question as to whether or not folks are blocking the VF when stretching out for these fish eye images.   

[Akira]

Congratulations Chris
Here is how to shoot with the 6mm
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,3011.msg44104.html#msg44104
Same principle worked on a monopod, images of that in the Scotland thread,,,

Yes, the bow tie is essential.   

[Jakov Minić]

Carl, it could be that nobody understands what you are asking?
At least, I don't

[pluton]

Nobody wants to address my question as to whether or not folks are blocking the VF when stretching out for these fish eye images.   

Normal precautions, not unique to any particular lens type:
Block it you are relying on the camera meter to control exposure, unless it's dark outside.  If you aren't on auto exposure, it doesn't matter whether you block it or not, except if there is a possibility that extremely bright light(direct sun, bright spotlight, laser, etc) could enter the finder and find its way into the image path between the lens and sensor. On most occasions outside during the day, it isn't necessary to close the finder.