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Archive 2015 · canon fl 58 1.2

  
 
rkonrad
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · canon fl 58 1.2


I may have an opportunity to buy this lens cheap. I have seen plenty of examples of the fl 55 1.2 but not many fl 58 1.2. Is there much difference between the two? Since I intend to use this lens almost exclusively at 1.2, I would like to know how it performs wide open. From the few photos I've seen, it looks good - but just few photos. Would anyone highly recommend it? Thanks!


Feb 04, 2015 at 10:49 AM
trogdon
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · canon fl 58 1.2


I know that it uses a thorium element in it, so there can be slight yellowing caused by it. Overall I think that it won't be much different from the 55mm, though I don't have any direct experience with the 58mm.

Pretty sure the optical redesign was just because of the thorium element, and judging by the 35mm f2 FD lens the use of a different element in place did not change performance much.



Feb 04, 2015 at 11:40 AM
LightShow
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · canon fl 58 1.2


The only difference I've seen is that the 58 has more interesting Bokeh.


Feb 06, 2015 at 03:19 AM
justruss
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · canon fl 58 1.2


Note quite the same.

The 58mm isn't as nice from an optical standpoint: more optical aberrations, not quite as sharp. And the yellowing thing.

But a good lens. And I suspect, given the age, that sample variation today may overcome the design differences between the 55mm and 58mm FL f/1.2 lenses. A good, still-in-spec version of the 58mm may well outperform a less-in-spec 55mm version.

If you can get it cheap, you might as well pick it up. It's used. Worst thing that happens is that you don't love it-- and you sell it for a small transaction cost loss. Or, if you convert it, perhaps you'll make a profit!



Feb 06, 2015 at 03:35 AM
rkonrad
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · canon fl 58 1.2


Good bokeh is essential. For me, sharpness is fairly important though I know it won't be stellar at 1.2 but I'm hoping to get the best I can get. My research says the fl 55 at 1.2 is pretty good wide open and the nikkor 50 1.2 even better (latter too expensive for me). Here is a comparison of the 55 and 58 but unfortunately the focus points were different so it showed the 58 being substantially softer. I like the bokeh of the 58 but perhaps this has something to do with greater focal length thus narrow dof. Here is the link http://captureoflife.blogspot.ca/2009/04/canon-fl-5812-vs-5512.html.

Cheers



Feb 06, 2015 at 10:59 AM
ccihon
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · canon fl 58 1.2


I have been tempted towards the ultra-fast FDs for my EOS M, but think a Nikkor or Minolta of similar fl and speed is more versatile as I can use it on Canon DSLR without optical adapter. In fact, I think the lack of infinity focus on EOS is one of the reasons the prices stay relatively lower for these in the market.


Feb 06, 2015 at 01:27 PM
rkonrad
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · canon fl 58 1.2


You are saying that a Nikkor or Minolta lens woull focus to infinity without an adapter that uses extra glass? I wasn't aware of that. Interesting. I know that 95% of my shots would not require infinity as the 1.2 is a very specific type of lens, good for close-ups or medium shots. I can only think of night shots that would require infinity. Nevertheless I may need to re-think. I also hear that the extra glass can reduce exposure by a stop.


Feb 06, 2015 at 01:34 PM
LightShow
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · canon fl 58 1.2


Canon EF is 44mm, anything shorter than that will need a mount conversion or modification to reach infinity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance
http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~westin/misc/mounts-by-register.html



Feb 06, 2015 at 01:55 PM
mcbroomf
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · canon fl 58 1.2


I had a copy of the 58/1.2 Canon R which looks suspiciously the same as the FL (same group and blades)
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/lens/r/data/35-2000/r_58_12.html
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/lens/fl/data/19-85/fl_58_12v2.html
The copy I bought had a stuck aperture (WO) so I returned it. WO it was nothing special, certainly not sharp, but I'm not a fan of "glow".

Mike

Nex 6
http://m5.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/153495825.QepFBIe8._DSC2908.jpg





Feb 06, 2015 at 07:10 PM
mcbroomf
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · canon fl 58 1.2


rkonrad wrote:
You are saying that a Nikkor or Minolta lens woull focus to infinity without an adapter that uses extra glass? I wasn't aware of that. Interesting. I know that 95% of my shots would not require infinity as the 1.2 is a very specific type of lens, good for close-ups or medium shots. I can only think of night shots that would require infinity. Nevertheless I may need to re-think. I also hear that the extra glass can reduce exposure by a stop.


Minolta won't focus to infinity (on regular EOS, EOS M is a short flange distance like Sony-E).
This is one of the problems you'll have unless you do your own conversions, ie you won't be able to find an "add -on" adapter as no-one is interested in making them. The Ed-Mika adapter (for Canon FD/FL) is a replacement of the rear flange and includes having to reconnect the aperture control. Google him on ebay and take time to look at the video on how it's installed before you buy. There's also a list of the lenses he supports ... not all of them.
If you do find an add-on adapter with glass then it's pretty thick and pushes the lens into macro territory only (if you remove the glass and use it without).



Feb 06, 2015 at 07:13 PM
LightShow
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · canon fl 58 1.2


The Minolta MC PG 58/1.2 can be converted relatively easily, Jim Buchanan from this site does a conversion service, and sells kits for some lenses.
http://www.jimbuchananspace.com/Camera_Services.html



Feb 06, 2015 at 09:05 PM
mcbroomf
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · canon fl 58 1.2


Yep, I should have mentioned them ...


Feb 07, 2015 at 04:23 AM
justruss
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · canon fl 58 1.2


The FL 55 is a really sharp lens, and like the Rokkor the bokeh quality improves at around f/2 vs. f/1.2, even if the degree to blurring is a touch less. The lens stopped down to f/4 is sharper than many modern lenses. At all f-stops it's a sharper lens than the Rokkor.

The lens also displays some glow, but not the same amount as the Rokkor (some people surely like the look of the Rokkor despite it being less controlled and less sharp), and like the Rokkor it has significant LoCa wide open.




Feb 07, 2015 at 04:36 AM
Mike Ganz
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · canon fl 58 1.2


I once considered the FL 58/1.2 when the opportunity came up, but passed due to most of the reasons already stated and went with an FL 55/1.2 instead. Nice lens, very pleasing bokeh...I find it best at f/2:

http://northlake.smugmug.com/SmugPreview/Paris-2014/i-cxrpZnf/0/XL/Heineken1-2-XL.jpg

http://northlake.smugmug.com/Photography/Canon-FL-5512-Lens-Test/i-tt3vSVx/0/XL/Corona1-5565-XL.jpg



Feb 08, 2015 at 06:28 AM
staticInc
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · canon fl 58 1.2


Yellowing can be cured, though. So if price is a consideration for you, I recommend you going with the FL 58. Stopped down a bit it is okay-ish.
Bought one to convert it to EF mount. Didn't do that but cured the yellow cast with a simple LED desk lamp. It took about two weeks of constant exposure, but was nearly gone afterwards. Never had the time to do the conversion so I ended up selling it again with a bit of surplus due to untinted glass.



Feb 09, 2015 at 03:21 PM
rkonrad
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · canon fl 58 1.2


Thanks for all the replies. I did a bit more research and found out that (to my knowledge) that a non-optical correction adapter (Ed Mika and one other) are not able to adapt the 58 to the eos mount. The fl 55 works so that may be my ebay search. The adapters are expensive so was wondering if anyone knows of a cheaper option (non glass adapter).


Feb 09, 2015 at 03:50 PM





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