FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

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Paul Yi
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p.1 #1 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

I just had my FD 300/2.8 converted and he made a nice custom front cap too..!
When I'm back to the state, I'll post some pictures.
It's pretty tough to hand hold the lens because of the weight of the lens, but so far the lens is very promising.
Despite of its used exterior condition, the glass looks immaculate.
I'm so excited...!!!

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:34 AM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #2 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Paul, I'm just DYING to know:

Did the conversion manage to maintain all electronic communication, as you had hoped, or is the lens functioning like any other alt glass with a chipped adapter?

Nov 26, 2008 at 09:32 AM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #3 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Cableaddict wrote:
Paul, I'm just DYING to know:

Did the conversion manage to maintain all electronic communication, as you had hoped, or is the lens functioning like any other alt glass with a chipped adapter?

It's 100% manual lens with EOS mount.
I intend to use it wide open all the time.

Nov 26, 2008 at 11:45 AM

cogitech
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p.1 #4 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Nice!

I'm looking forward to the samples.

Nov 26, 2008 at 12:25 PM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #5 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

I had to carry it all the way here to Korea from US....

Nov 26, 2008 at 12:32 PM

s23chang
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p.1 #6 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

why wide open all the time?
need to stop down sometimes in a bright day light.

Paul Yi wrote:

It's 100% manual lens with EOS mount.
I intend to use it wide open all the time.

Nov 26, 2008 at 12:38 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #7 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Hi Paul,

Did you manage to mantain the aperture lever working?
Will you have a DIY for it like Cogitech's Rokkor Page? ;-)
If so, I might buy a BGN lens like it for $250-ish around... :-)

Nov 26, 2008 at 12:40 PM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #8 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

alexandre wrote:
Hi Paul,

Did you manage to mantain the aperture lever working?
Will you have a DIY for it like Cogitech's Rokkor Page? ;-)
If so, I might buy a BGN lens like it for $250-ish around... :-)

I'm sorry for the newbie question, but what is DIY?
Aperture lever is no problem...

Nov 26, 2008 at 04:49 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #9 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

DIY = do it yourself.

Nov 26, 2008 at 04:50 PM

Silentlight
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p.1 #10 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Who converted it? How much? I think I must have missed a thread or something.

Nov 26, 2008 at 05:13 PM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #11 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

I'm totally bad when it comes to fixing things.
I paid $80 for the conversion.

Nov 26, 2008 at 05:16 PM

mike reid
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p.1 #12 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

cant wait to see samples

Nov 26, 2008 at 05:18 PM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #13 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Paul Yi wrote:
Cableaddict wrote:
Paul, I'm just DYING to know:

Did the conversion manage to maintain all electronic communication, as you had hoped, or is the lens functioning like any other alt glass with a chipped adapter?

It's 100% manual lens with EOS mount.
I intend to use it wide open all the time.

Hmm. Still pretty cool.

I think actually that it was someone else who recently posted about this, not you. The idea was that somehow 'erother all communication could be maintained. Maybe that was the thread concerning using a modded an FD TC 1.4 instead of modding the lens. Hmmm, my brain is fuzzy today.

(this is still pretty cool)

Anyway, as the others said- Why did you lose aperture control?

Do you have infinity focus?

Nov 27, 2008 at 12:13 AM

Silentlight
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p.1 #14 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Cableaddict wrote:

I think actually that it was someone else who recently posted about this, not you. The idea was that somehow 'erother all communication could be maintained. Maybe that was the thread concerning using a modded an FD TC 1.4 instead of modding the lens. Hmmm, my brain is fuzzy today.

That would be me. I got it to work with my almost-free test Yashica 2x converter mounted in reverse, but I have not continued further testing since I took delivery of a massive Kilfitt 600/5.6 and since I don't have a sharp FD lens for testing. Also, for much better results I would like to use a Mutar 1.4x T* converter, which I have not been able to locate one cheap. So, for the time being I have put the idea on the back burner. But I did achieve infinity focus and beyond due to the registry distances, and overshooting infinity didn't bother me.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/706587/0#6388634

Paul, I do like to get more details on where you had your lens converted. I am going back and forth between FD 300/2.8 L idea vs. saving for a Tamron AF 300/2.8 for faster moving subjects.

Nov 27, 2008 at 07:30 AM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #15 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

I had the lens converted here in Korea.
Aperture dial works perfectly.
I'll try to upload some pictures when I get back to the states.

Nov 27, 2008 at 04:36 PM

s23chang
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p.1 #16 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

that's a great price you paid
: )
Paul Yi wrote:
I had the lens converted here in Korea.
Aperture dial works perfectly.
I'll try to upload some pictures when I get back to the states.

Nov 27, 2008 at 09:31 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #17 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Do you guys think one in UG cosmetic and EX- optic is worth $300??

Nov 28, 2008 at 02:37 AM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #18 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

I'm back in the states.
Here are the two quick snap shots; Both are hand-held at f/2.8
followed by crops of the pictures. ( No post processing....just resized)
Do you think the conversion went well?

2008 © Paul Yi

Dec 01, 2008 at 07:51 PM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #19 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Dec 01, 2008 at 07:52 PM

Hanh
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p.1 #20 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Hi Paul,

The images of the leaves look good.

How is the quality of the conversion. Can you still stop down if needed.
The price of the conversion can be beat for sure.

Thank you for sharing,
Hanh

Dec 01, 2008 at 08:17 PM

Hanh
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p.1 #21 · FD 300/2.8 ... converted!

Alexandre,

Besides the optics, if the housing is in good shape, I think it is a good deal. A good copy of the FD 300 f/2.8 seems to go for US $700 plus minus 50.

Goodluck,
Hanh

Dec 01, 2008 at 08:21 PM