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Archive 2014 · Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R

  
 
p.1 #1Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
I just picked up the FDn 20 f/2.8 and 24 f/2.8 lenses for the A7R and they performed very well. Once you stop down to f/5.6, there is great center and corner resolution. The 20 f/2.8 performs a little better than the 24 f/2.8 but they are very similar. At f/8 center and extreme corners are excellent. I am using the Novoflex adapter.

There is some CA on both FD lenses but LR CA removal takes care of it.
The 2 FD lenses perform much better than the new Sony FE 24-70 f/4 @ 24mm at extreme corners but the Sony zoom still wins by a small margin in center contrast/color/resolution. The zoom has very little CA.

Distortion and field curvature are very well controlled on both lenses. Build quality is also excellent.

I'm surprised by the results because the current EF 20mm f/2.8 does not perform well towards corners even at smaller apertures.

Together with the Rokinon 14mm, these FD lenses are a great complement for the A7R wide range.
My new copy of the Rokinon 14mm is excellent center to corners on the A7R. See this post.

Update: Samples were posted on this thread
Mar 04, 2014 at 08:15 PM
tsdevine
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p.1 #2Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R

I wonder which would win, the FDn 24mm f/2.8 or OM 24mm f/2.8, but either way I'd love to see the FDn samples.

-Tim
Mar 04, 2014 at 08:18 PM
LightShow
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p.1 #3Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
When I get a chance I'll try and shoot some test shots with my SSC 24/2.8 & SSC 24/1.4 Aspherical on my A7r.
Mar 04, 2014 at 11:49 PM
tsdevine
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p.1 #4Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R

Itching to see samples of the FDn 24mm (or SSC) guys. I just picked up a FDn 24 and now I'm really curious as to what to expect.

-Tim
Mar 06, 2014 at 08:01 AM
Peire
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p.1 #5Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
You shall expect the same,very good results,doesn't matter SSC or nFD.Having both and tested out a few before,I found out that only a bad sample can influence IQ.

BTW: OM 24/2.8 wins by a tad the 24/2.8 SSC/FDn having more even sharpness across the frame and less CA.24/2 OM is not better IMO.At least my copy.And 20/2.8 nFD is as good as Fred said above.
A few A7+24/2.8 SSC (cross posted from FD forum)

http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1393190317.SEQ.0.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1393190318.SEQ.1.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1393190318.SEQ.2.jpg
Mar 06, 2014 at 10:19 AM
Beni
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p.1 #6Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
And the prices just jumped...
Mar 06, 2014 at 10:34 AM
nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #7Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Nice thread! What are the differences among FD, FDn, and SSC? What can I expect performance wise from each? Thanks
Mar 06, 2014 at 01:23 PM
tsdevine
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p.1 #8Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R

Thanks Peire...and that's part of the reason I bought one quickly, once a secret is out...well...

Beni wrote:
And the prices just jumped...

Mar 06, 2014 at 01:51 PM
JimBuchanan
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p.1 #9Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just picked up the FDn 20 f/2.8 and 24 f/2.8 lenses for the A7R and they performed very well. Once you stop down to f/5.6, there is great center and corner resolution. The 20 f/2.8 performs a little better than the 24 f/2.8 but they are very similar. At f/8 center and extreme corners are excellent.

There is some CA . . .


Yes, I agree. I didn't have the FD 20/2.8 (yet), but the FD24/2.8 is a very cost effective better image quality lens on the a7R. I was wanting to try the FD24/2.0 (maybe I will), as it has a great reputation, but I came across a Zeiss ZS 25/2.8 at a bit more money. While it and the FD24/2.8 had lateral CA in the corners, the ZS 25/2.8 had significantly greater sharpness in the corners. It is heavier and the focus and aperture are the reversed of normal lenses. My tests were at infinity distances. Maybe the FD24/2.0 or other floating element design 24-25mm would offer better closer performance than the ZS25/2.8. I don't know, but the modern Zeiss 25/2.8 is a pretty good landscape lens on the a7R.
Mar 06, 2014 at 08:19 PM
40Driggs
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p.1 #10Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Nice thread! What are the differences among FD, FDn, and SSC? What can I expect performance wise from each? Thanks


The oldest lenses are FL, next came SSC lenses which have better coatings and then the new FD lenses are a different body that is lighter weight.

FL and SSC versions use the "breach lock" system to mount the lens to the camera. I went with new FD for the lighter weight and (in my opinion) easier mounting system.

FDn 24mm f/2.8 shots.

Wide open

wide flower_1 by 40Driggs, on Flickr

Stopped down

weeds down the sand_1 by 40Driggs, on Flickr


down the beach_1 by 40Driggs, on Flickr
Mar 06, 2014 at 08:30 PM
douglasf13
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p.1 #11Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Has anyone compared the FD 20 and 24 to the Minolta Maxxum/Sony 20 and 24? Those could be ok options, since you'll also have the AF option with the LA-EA4.
Mar 06, 2014 at 08:48 PM
Peire
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p.1 #12Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
JimBuchanan wrote:
Fred Miranda wroteI just picked up the FDn 20 f/2.8 and 24 f/2.8 lenses for the A7R and they performed very well. Once you stop down to f/5.6, there is great center and corner resolution. The 20 f/2.8 performs a little better than the 24 f/2.8 but they are very similar. At f/8 center and extreme corners are excellent.

There is some CA . . .
Yes, I agree. I didn't have the FD 20/2.8 (yet), but the FD24/2.8 is a very cost effective better image quality lens on the a7R. I was wanting to try the FD24/2.0 (maybe I will), as it has a great reputation, but I came across a Zeiss ZS 25/2.8 at a bit more money. While it and the FD24/2.8 had lateral CA in the corners, the ZS 25/2.8 had significantly greater sharpness in the corners. It is heavier and the focus and aperture are the reversed of normal lenses. My tests were at infinity distances. Maybe the FD24/2.0 or other
...Show more →

Yes.The 25/2.8 Zeiss is even better than 24/2.8 SSC/FDn.Sharper in the center,more microcontrast overall and less CA.Very useful close up facility comes handy too.


ZF 25/2.8+A7
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1388220962.SEQ.3.jpg

Mar 07, 2014 at 12:11 AM
Beni
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p.1 #13Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
The Zeiss is of course about 10 times the price, doesn't stop me lusting after it but...
Mar 07, 2014 at 02:05 AM
Phillip Reeve
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p.1 #14Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
thanks for the comparison Fred! Are you sure that Ca correction was deactivated for the FD20? Because I totally expected at least some CA for a 30 years-old 20mm lens.
Mar 07, 2014 at 02:36 AM
timballic
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p.1 #15Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Peire wrote:

Yes.The 25/2.8 Zeiss is even better than 24/2.8 SSC/FDn.Sharper in the center,more microcontrast overall and less CA.Very useful close up facility comes handy too.




Also I found my ZS Distagon 25/2.8 better than the Rokkor MD 24/2.8 ( which is another good lens)
Mar 07, 2014 at 03:02 AM
alundeb
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p.1 #16Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Phillip Reeve wrote:
thanks for the comparison Fred! Are you sure that Ca correction was deactivated for the FD20? Because I totally expected at least some CA for a 30 years-old 20mm lens.


I was about to ask the same question, the FDn 20mm should show more CA than the 24 mm.

I also would expect more CA from the Sony FE lens at 24 mm than what we see here.
Mar 07, 2014 at 03:19 AM
ebookman
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p.1 #17Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
A7r with Canon FD 20mm F/2.8 SSC, no CA correction applied. An amazing lens for the money! I did have to reduce lens vignetting.



http://jendale.smugmug.com/Dales-Arizona-2014/i-m5Pv6pM/0/X2/DSC01327-1-X2.jpg
Mar 07, 2014 at 08:17 AM
Beni
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p.1 #18Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Would love to see the corners from that image, they look pretty good from here.
Mar 07, 2014 at 08:38 AM
Vern Dewit
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p.1 #19Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
tsdevine wrote:
I wonder which would win, the FDn 24mm f/2.8 or OM 24mm f/2.8, but either way I'd love to see the FDn samples.

-Tim


I pointed out how good the FD lenses were on the A7r already months ago (http://www.explor8ion.com/review/sonya7r.html) Glad people are liking them! They were too big / heavy for my tastes and I went with some OM glass instead.
Mar 07, 2014 at 08:41 AM
alundeb
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p.1 #20Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 on A7R
Beni wrote:
Would love to see the corners from that image, they look pretty good from here.


To me the corners look soft already at this size, much softer than the corners of the maligned FE 24-70 at 24mm and the same output size.
Mar 07, 2014 at 09:01 AM
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