The smc Pentax-F 17–28mm Fish-eye 3.5–4.5 is the first fisheye

zoom lens A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length (and thus angle of view) can be varied, as opposed to a fixed-focal-length (FFL) lens (see prime lens). A true zoom lens, also called a parfocal lens, is one ...

, manufactured by Pentax for

single-lens reflex camera A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence "reflex" from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. With twin le ...

s (SLRs) with a K lens mount. At its widest setting of 17mm, it affords a 180° diagonal angle of view images for all K-mount full-frame SLR cameras; at 28mm, the diagonal angle of view is reduced to 90° on the diagonal. Typical fisheye barrel distortion is evident at all focal lengths. A successor model, the

Pentax DA 10-17mm lens The smc Pentax-DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye lens is a fisheye zoom lens for the Pentax K-mount. It offers an up to 180 degree view, and allows quick shift focus (Pentax's term for giving the photographer the ability to manually focus the l ...

, was introduced with the same view angles and closer focusing capability for APS-C cameras in 2006.

History and design

The lens was designed by

Jun Hirakawa Mr. Jun Hirakawa is a Japanese lens designer best known for creating the Pentax Pentax FA 43mm Limited lens, FA 43mm Limited and Pentax FA 77mm Limited lens, FA 77mm Limited lenses during his time at Pentax. Hirakawa said at the time that he regr ...

and a patent was applied for the design in 1994, granted in 1998. Longtime photography writer

Herbert Keppler Herbert "Burt" Keppler (April 21, 1925 – January 4, 2008) was an American photographer, journalist, author and consultant. His career spanned 57 years, including 37 at ''Modern Photography'' and two decades at ''Popular Photography''. He wr ...

was a noted fan of the lens, as its unique zoom capabilities allow the user to minimize the appearance of barrel distortion. Keppler wrote in an informal review "You don't use this lens to make your best girl- or boyfriend look pretty or handsome, but it does produce some fantastically fascinating effects. ..there still are many moments when its coverage just fits the coverage of my mind."

Gallery

File:MacEwan LRT and Rogers Place.jpg, Rogers Centre, 17mm (2016). File:Giant Mark (29489544662).jpg, Inside Rogers Centre, 28mm (2016). File:Jungle Kuku (26732273215).jpg, Distortion minimized by subject matter and placement, 28mm (2016). File:Training Day (26487300220).jpg, Lines not passing through center are distorted, 17mm (2016). File:Autumn Afternoon (36672978234).jpg, Distortion at full-frame view, 17mm (2016).

References

External links

* * * * * *The 17-28mm smc PENTAX-
"on the fisheye list"/

Specifications

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Pentax SMC-F 17-28mm lens 17 Fisheye lenses Camera lenses introduced in 1995