Camera Labs

I wanted to know what the best quality fisheye lens was (Nikkor or 3rd-party).

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Nikon D7000
Bower 8mm f/3.5
Nikkor DX AF-S 35mm f/1.8G
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4
Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
Nikon 70-210mm f/4 Series E
Nikon SB-600
Lowepro Fastpack 250

From your equipment list on your signature, it looks as if you've already made your choice...?

to clarify, I have a cheap fisheye attachment that I put on my my 35mm, but I'm looking to eventually purchase a true fisheye lens, and was looking for guidance regarding the options available.

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Nikon D7000
Bower 8mm f/3.5
Nikkor DX AF-S 35mm f/1.8G
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4
Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E
Nikon 70-210mm f/4 Series E
Nikon SB-600
Lowepro Fastpack 250

It looks like you're a DX user (as you have the D3100).

Your best quality option right now would be the Nikkor 10.5mm DX, but unfortunately, it's an AF model, not AF-S meaning that it would not autofocus on your D3100 as it doesn't have a built in focusing motor. For some people however, the lack of autofocus isn't a big deal. Many people who buy fisheyes want to do astrophotography, where you just set the lens to infinity and you're good to go.

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Id get the 10.5mm fisheye and manually focus it.

Depth of field is basically infinite on these lenses so Id set the focus for a couple of feet away and you'll be good to go for 99% of shots.

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Nikon D5000 and D300 with 12-24mm, 35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.4, 60mm f2.8 Macro, 18-200mm, 17-55mm f2.8 (all Nikon)

I have the Sigma 10mm F/2.8 HSM. Brilliant lens, and it will autofocus on your camera. According to the reviews it's about the same as the Nikon.

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I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".