A real killer

[benjiboy]

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]

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

 

[Hikingman]

That is good news, congrats!

 

[benjiboy]

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

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]

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

 

[benjiboy]

At my local professional dealer.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

That is great news!

Jeff

 

[benjiboy]

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.

 

[Zuikopath]

I've heard from others that this is a classic lens...well done.

 

[Hikingman]

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

 

[dynachrome]

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]

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.

 

[benjiboy]

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

 

[dynachrome]

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.

 

[benjiboy]

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