After a long, long period of waiting, I finally laid my hands on my precious, long awaited for, highly anticipated, (alright, alright, enough of this already) my Nikkor AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED lens. I had been waiting for this lens since the start of the year. This is one of those lens that is a must have so as to create nice and interesting effect with distortion at the side and less distortion but close-up effect at the centre. I have put my name down at T K Foto for this lens in January and I waited and waited. I was very surprise that a lot of stores in Singapore do not have this lens, it seems like out of a sudden, this lens become very popular.
Anyway, just to tell you briefly what happen, I was surfing Clubsnap when I came across a thread saying that the Nikkor AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED is in stores already. This is quite a new lens from Nikon and it can cover a wide range with 11.1X zoom (the calculation is 200/18) and a lot of people are trying to get their hands on it.
I decided to try my luck in getting this lens, so I called up James from T K Foto. He said that the 18-200mm lens is in, but limited stock. He said that he had called a few people that are on the waiting list (OMG, waiting list for a lens, can you believe this) and it seems that they had either gotten the lens already or not interested anymore. So he said he will get back to me when my turn has come (I also put my name for this lens too, hehe). So I waited and waited. As I was waiting, I feel my chance of getting this lens is slim. Then at around 4pm plus, my mobile rings and I see a familiar number (I have been a regular patron at T K Foto, I have been calling them to enquire about lots of my equipment). I picked up the call and James asked me if I still wants the 18-200mm. I thought, why not, if you have it, I will take it. Before I can answer, he said, he also has a piece of the fisheye 10.5mm. Joy just strike me out of the blues, without even a split second or thought, I told him, reserve the fisheye 10.5mm for me and let go of the 18-200mm. He said he will reserve the fisheye lens for me. I was really so happy. After more than 2 months of waiting, finally can get my fisheye lens.
My morning start quite poorly at work and is not getting any better, but that call from James was a turning point. I sprung up into action at work and keep my eyes on my watch as I am leaving early today. I trust that James will reserve the lens for me, but I just can't contain my excitment and wish to get this lens immediately. At around 5:45pm, I left the office and flew to T K Foto on a cab.
When James saw me as I walk into the shop, he knows what am I after. He took out the lens and took me, this is the one and only piece that come in this shipment and that I have make a wise choice because this lens is getting scarce for don't know what reason and the 18-200mm should be easily available in a month or so.
I took the lens home to try out and a thought flash across my mind. Those who know me well knows that I am a great fan of Scott Adam's Dilbert comics. There was this strip whereby Dilbert had gotten a new equipment or something and was feeling all excited and "evil" like a mad scientist that had gotten a new toy that can use conquer the world. Well, the feeling is mutual.
The lens is really worth the money and the wait. The built of the fisheye lens is made of metal instead of plastics to give it a firm touch. The ability to take 180 degree picture angle and incredible depth of field (DOF) properties characteristic of fisheye lens is simply amazing. Anyway, just to share a few test shots on my subject, "Xiao Gui" to see the effect of the lens. Hope to take more beautiful and creative photos with this great lens. Will keep you all posted. Thanks for reading.
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