A real killer

benjiboy

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I just got a roll of Ilford FP4 plus back from the lab that I shot to test Canon FD 35mm f2 Thorium lens that I just had CLA'd to check they had put it back together correctly, and all I can say is wow!, considering this lens is almost forty years old, and although I didn't pay a lot for it, it was fairly expensive to have serviced, this lens is a killer, and although I have a house full of Canon FD lenses this must be the sharpest of them all, I'm a very happy bunny.
 

flatulent1

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?? I don't think I've ever heard of having a lens CLA'd. What do they do to it?
 

Hikingman

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That is good news, congrats!
 
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benjiboy

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flatulent1 said:
?? I don't think I've ever heard of having a lens CLA'd. What do they do to it?
Click to expand...
In my case, completely dismantle the lens clean all the elements and remove all the internal dirt and dust, re -lubricate and tighten the focusing mechanism and aperture ring, re- collimate the lens elements on an optical bench to re-align them, and then re-assemble it.
 

mike c

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Thats a lot of work,where did you take it to have this done.
Mike
 
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benjiboy

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Thanks Jeff, these optics are pretty rare now, and highly prized by Canon FD enthusiasts, I got mine for very little in very good condition with no scratches on the glass, fungus or dings in the barrel, and thought it was worth having it re- furbished professionally,because I'm not foolish enough to try doing it myself, it cost about £75(about $115 US) to have the work done but was well worth it, this is now the favourite lens I own.
 

Hikingman

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Great news, the extra 'icing on the cake' would be if the FP4 was an expired roll.
 

dynachrome

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A real killer (lens)

My 35/2 with the concave front element is the 35/2 FD SSC. I gave it a light treatment which must have gone on for eight months. This was done with a CFL lamp amd aluminum foil on the bottom. If I had a UV lamp it would have been faster. The color is almost completely clear. If I had to shoot something on color slide film where the exact color was critical I might switch to a 35/2 New FD. The FD SSC is extremely sharp. I have had lenses completely overhauled too. If you enjoy using the lens it's worthwhile.
 

brucemuir

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When you do a "light treatment" is there danger of the lube warming up and migrating onto the blades?

I have a 4x5 lens or two that look like they may have the start of some fungus and was going to set then in the sun.
 
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benjiboy

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I just wrapped my Thorium lens in Foil and left it on my bedroom window ledge for a couple of months.
 

dynachrome

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That's why I used a CFL. They put off very little heat. It would probaby be faster to use a UV lamp but I don't know how hot that might get. Regular window glass fiters out some UV light but not all of it and most people have reported leaving the lens on a windowsill.
 
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benjiboy

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Bruce-I gave my lens the window ledge treatment before I had had it CLAd for that reason.
 
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