I've been wondering about this lens on and off, but apart from conversion tutorials there seems to very little about its IQ (for landscape use on Canon 5DII with Ed Mika conversion.)
Can you point me to some reviews or comparisons including it? Perhaps there's something in the archives here?
EDIT: So far every image I've seen from it appears rather flat and low contrast, but then they all seem to have been taken in dull, flat conditions.
I recently acquired one for use on my NEX 5N. So far I'm pretty happy with it but I haven't compared it to anything else really. I was thinking of doing the Ed Mika conversion but I'm traveling at the moment so it'll have to wait. Could post up some samples from the NEX if that'd help.
I have owned these lenses since 1973, and had written up a thread about the FD to EOS conversion here a couple of years ago (prior to the EdMika conversion). My experiance with this lens on film and digital is that it was (is) a very high quality optic. I still have one copy that I kept (sold three others - all converted to EOS), and will not be moving it out of my inventory, as I feel it is that good. If you are interested, I can send you some large RAW files taken with it over the past few years...just let me know.
Thanks Edd and Lightshow, those are great, look good and contrasty too. I love that shot of the dahlia, wonderful smooth bokeh, I hadn't expected that.
I bought one from Eastern Europe on eBay at a relatively good price. It was and is in mint condition. The EdMika brass adapter is not cheap but makes conversion very straightforward for those of us with less mechanical skills (he supplies a 2nd ball bearing for good reason - don't ask me how I know).
CameraServiceOne.com in the UK also convert this lens to EOS
I love the lens and haven't used it enough but will do so more in the future (too many lenses, too little time).
Not in any way the same class as the photos in the link above, however I've posted some of my own shots here: http://tinyurl.com/c4alvad That album also contains two pics of my actual lens.
PM me if you want samples of RAW files, or 100% crops.
Two samples below. Picture Style was probably Landscape. Colours etc exactly as produced by camera ('film standard' curve and 5D Mk III-Generic ICC Profile in Capture One Pro)
Despite the CA showing in the 100% crop, I think this is a stellar lens!
18% RAW to jpeg conversion in C1 Pro. No sharpening or other PP, ISO100, f8
100% crop centre-left of previous image. No PP, ISO100, f8. CA on stone column!
timballic wrote:
Thanks Edd and Lightshow, those are great, look good and contrasty too. I love that shot of the dahlia, wonderful smooth bokeh, I hadn't expected that.
I'm starting saving!
You're most welcome, and good luck with the lens hunting! As has been said, it really is a stellar lens...
I have owned these lenses since 1973, and had written up a thread about the FD to EOS conversion here a couple of years ago (prior to the EdMika conversion). My experiance with this lens on film and digital is that it was (is) a very high quality optic. I still have one copy that I kept (sold three others - all converted to EOS), and will not be moving it out of my inventory, as I feel it is that good. If you are interested, I can send you some large RAW files taken with it over the past few years...just let me know.
Annapurna wrote:
Hi, do you have any links on your conversion?
Regards, Mikkelsen, Denmark
Jorgen: It looks like the archive links are gone now, sorry. The process required access and skills with a lathe & milling machine, and about 6.5 hours of time. The EdMika adapter is money well-spent in comparison to what my time is really worth. He runs a very good operation and the products are made to a very high standard. Just my 2 cents as an owner-operator-user
Edd, as you've had several of these, did you notice any difference in IQ between the earlier orange numbered optics and the later green numbered ones? I notice the later ones are slightly more expensive and wondered if the extra was worth paying?
