Hard to find lens for Canon FD... anybody?? Voigtlander SL in FD Mount

[lxdude]

BRILLIANT!

Yeah, that was one of my batter ones.

 

[holmburgers]

and they keep coming......... hahaha

On the topic of retro-focus (mentioned above by darinwc), is there anyone out there using non retro-focus lenses on an F-1, EF, or FTb w/ the mirror locked up?

Does it stand to reason that minimum flange distance would be less of an issue with a non-retro focus lens thus allowing a greater variety of lenses to be modified? I know it can and is done, but I'm not sure what lenses are suitable or easy to get/modify.

Basically this is a complete change of topic, but hey why not.

 

[lxdude]

and they keep coming......... hahaha

Didn't mean to sirup, I mean stir up a flap, jack.

Sorry, that was w-awful. :rolleyes:

 

[dynachrome]

Voigtlander SL in Canon FD Mount

"Nikon made a very nice pancake.. the 40mm f2.8 GN and the 40mm f2.8 AIP"

These were 45mm lenses, not 40mm.

 

[darinwc]

Ah you are correct.. I had to pull mine out to look at it.

 

[darinwc]

and they keep coming......... hahaha

On the topic of retro-focus (mentioned above by darinwc), is there anyone out there using non retro-focus lenses on an F-1, EF, or FTb w/ the mirror locked up?

Does it stand to reason that minimum flange distance would be less of an issue with a non-retro focus lens thus allowing a greater variety of lenses to be modified? I know it can and is done, but I'm not sure what lenses are suitable or easy to get/modify.

Basically this is a complete change of topic, but hey why not.

The canon 19mm Fl has a back focus that requires the mirror to be locked up.
It is reputed to be of high quality. But then again, lenses have changed much since then and retro-focus is not as much of a problem as it used to be.

 

[Focus No. 9]

So what your really saying is that I can't retire on my orphan Canon FD 50mm 1.8 lens. hefty, black, and nice looking. Oh well. Now I have to go the chalkboard and write "I will not bid/buy a Canon to work my orphan." 100 times.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Another vote for a rangefinder kit if you want compact:

The majority of rangefinder 35, 40 & 50mm lenses will be smaller, sharper, faster and have far better ergonomics than any SLR pancacke lens.
(and probably offer more accurate focusing in poor light while they're at it).

 

[benjiboy]

Another vote for a rangefinder kit if you want compact:

The majority of rangefinder 35, 40 & 50mm lenses will be smaller, sharper, faster and have far better ergonomics than any SLR pancacke lens.
(and probably offer more accurate focusing in poor light while they're at it).

How do you fit them onto the Holmburgers Canon EF ?

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

How do you fit them onto the Holmburgers Canon EF ?

"Kit" does kind of imply a rangefinder body as well.....

 

[benjiboy]

Actually the 35mm f/2 (thorium!) is the next lens I want to get. The 2.8 sounds appealing, certainly for outside stuff, but I just seriously dislike anything slower than f/2. Call me spoiled...

Holmburger the Thorium lens is just the opposite of what you were originally after, its a nine element and is big it, feels like weighs around the same as your EF body!, if you want "light compact" I recommend you go for the FDn 35mm f2.8.

 

[lxdude]

And the radiation from the thorium lens will cook your holmburgers!

 

[benjiboy]

And the radiation from the thorium lens will cook your holmburgers!

Not if you wear your lead lined boxer shorts Jeff

 

[lxdude]

I always have trouble keeping those up.

 

[holmburgers]

haha!

The thorium lens is big, but I want it irregardless.

And yes, I see a rangefinder in my future.... the far, distant future....

 

[holmburgers]

Ok, update.

I stole a Pentax Spotmatic this weekend (at least it felt like a steal.... perfect condition with a Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 for $35!).

Does this change things? I've found a Industar pancake on eBay.

As I understand it, having an M42 camera makes my options much more plentiful.

What are your fave M42 lenses, regardless of pancake-ness?

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Ok, update.

I stole a Pentax Spotmatic this weekend (at least it felt like a steal.... perfect condition with a Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 for $35!).

Does this change things? I've found a Industar pancake on eBay.

As I understand it, having an M42 camera makes my options much more plentiful.

What are your fave M42 lenses, regardless of pancake-ness?

Some of these may be hard to find in the U.S., but:
Meyer Lydith 30mm
Schneider Curtagon 35mm
Pentax Takumar 35mm f/3.5 (nearly identical signature - massive look - as the Schneider Curtagon)
Just about any Zeiss Jena lens (apart from the Triotar and some Tessars - unless you like soft)*
Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 with a P6=>M42 adapter. Huge & mythical lens. Very nice results if you can stand the weight!
Most Pentacon lenses*
Schacht-Ulm 90mm f/2.8 (most other Schachts should be very good, just little personal experience)
Vivitar (=Tokina) 17mm f/3.5
Zenitar 16mm fisheye
Many Steinheil lenses*
Most Mamiya M42 lenses*
Vivitar/Tokina 400mmm f/5.6 (not the very best FL of its kind, but quite good & cheap)
Meyer Telemegor 300mm f/4.5 & 400mm f/5.5 (not the very best FLs of their kind, but quite good & cheap)

Also many, many others, but a good number are likely to be too rare, expensive and/or specialistic to be of interest.

* In the cases where I say "many" or "most", ask again if you're interested in a particular lens.

P.S. I assume your "Spotmatic" isn't an ES, ES II, or F... In which cases, a number of the lenses I mentioned might not be mountable.

 

[holmburgers]

Hey, thanks for the list. Yeah, it's an SP spotmatic. Such a beauty! Has a really buttery feel, especially the film advance.

 

[benjiboy]

haha!

The thorium lens is big, but I want it irregardless.

And yes, I see a rangefinder in my future.... the far, distant future....

I hope you are as lucky as I was then holmburgers, I came across mine by accident attached to an absolutely mint EF body in a small local camera store for a price that was cheap even for just the lens, and it was for the whole shooting match.

 

[holmburgers]

Dang... that'd be nice. I have the EF too, but paid fair market value on eBay. Such a great camera...

 

[benjiboy]

I wrote previously that FD 35mm f2 is a nine element lens, I was wrong, it Isn't It's ten, which figures because it's very heavy.

 

[tony lockerbie]

Even though I'm a Canon aficionado, I reckon that the Spotmatic will serve you better for the compact camera and lens that you are after. There are so many screw mount lenses available so cheaply that you can keep yourself amused for years just trying them all. The 50mm 1.4 Takumar is hardly bigger than the 1.8 and is of legendary status. Also agree with the 35mm 3.5, a tad slow yes, but great quality and very compact. The Industars that you mention can be really good, or really crap, I have three examples that cover all those bases! They are really cheap however, so just keep buying them until you find a good example, and they are really compact
I currently own two "pancake" lenses, a Minolta and a Konica, the Konica seems better. Funny how these have attained a cult status as both were sold as basic el cheapo lenses for the less prestigious cameras in the model lineup. Good luck with your quest.

 

[benjiboy]

I personally find pancake lenses very fiddly to use because the the focus and aperture rings are so narrow to make them very awkward to use, the new type bayonet mount Canon FD 50mm f1.8 and f1.4 lenses are light because they have plastic barrels, and much easier to use