Canon FD 70-210mm with GH1 ?

ajamils

ajamils

Well-known member
Has anyone used Canon FD 70-210mm with GH1 ?? If so, what are your opinions about it ? Since these sell very cheap of eBay I was thinking of picking one up to use as Macro as well as zoom lens (for complimenting Kit lens, where more zoom is needed).
 
ajamils said:
Has anyone used Canon FD 70-210mm with GH1 ?? If so, what are your opinions about it ? Since these sell very cheap of eBay I was thinking of picking one up to use as Macro as well as zoom lens (for complimenting Kit lens, where more zoom is needed).
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Works fine, but be carefull with the extra weight on the Gh1 lens mount. Definitely a tripod job, 70 becomes 140 and 210 becomes 420, way beyond hand held territory without any IS available.

Rambo
 
I have a Kiron made Vivitar Series 1, 70-210 f 3.5 1:2 macro lens that I have tried with a DOF adapter. Good lens, but boy this lens is heavy. You definitely need good stabilization snd support for the "tiny" gh1 body. But this would make a good telephoto and macro lens
 
I've seen some spectacular stuff on vimeo pairing a gh13 with that lens... but it's not a well-reviewed lens. Still, what can you say? The images I'm seeing look amazing... even the images from CCTV lenses are looking great... so if the price is right, I think the risk is very low.

If you can find an 80-200 (older)... that is higher regarded... and (if you find one) will probably sell for the same cheap price, even though it shouldn't. The regular non-L 80-200 isn't on this page (other sources rate it well)... but I've used this as a reference for old manual lenses and so far my experience has been pretty close to this info as reported:

http://www.photozone.de/active/survey/querylens.jsp

Also... if you think you may be interested in macro photography... the real macro lenses are a dream compared to the zooms with macro function... not even CLOSE in real-world use. The macro lens barrels turn almost a full turn... giving a huge focal range... making it easy to dial in focus... the macro capable zooms have an in-focus range that's about 1/10th as much... so you're constantly chasing focus as the DOF plane zips past it both ways with the slightest turn. I can't emphasize that point enough... I had an FD 35-70 (very highly regarded zoom) and the macro function was virtually useless as it was all but impossible to get it w/o a still object and tripod. The 50mm macro, by contrast, is pure joy in real-world use. Right now it's my favorite of the 7 or so FD lenses I have... in all respects but low-light.
 
Thank you for the replies. I bought 70-210mm from eBay (haven't received it) but now I'm thinking that maybe I should have just gotten a dedicated Macro lens instead not only because this lens is HUGE but also because the few reviews that I found online, do not regard this as a very good lens.

As for the 50mm macro suggestion, how different is that lens from the regular 50mm 1.4 FD ? I bought that lens few weeks ago from eBay as well and I really like it.
 
Well... the macro is comparatively slow. You won't be using the macro in low-light, but if I were shooting in good light I'd probably choose the 50 macro over the 50 1.4, even for normal use.

It definitely isn't an either/or thing though... I have both and love both. I never think of them as duplicating a focal length... they're two totally different lenses in real world use.

The macro is almost like a fixed-length-zoom lens (I know that sounds stupid, but play with one and you'll see what I mean)... because it has such a huge zone of focus. As you move your body closer/farther you can change the lens perspective on your subject a lot... more so then the 50 1.4.
 
Well, since I already bough and paid for 70-210mm lens, I'll just wait for it to arrive and then see how it is and if I don't like it, I'll sell it and pick up 50mm macro instead :)
 
Just to give you an update, I received the lens over the weekend I took quiet a few pictures with it but I wasn't too happy with neither the results nor the lens. So it is going back for sale. First of all I I didn't like the small limit of MACRO focus (my main reason for buying this lens) which makes focusing things very difficult. Also, due to the weight, size and lack of OIS the lens it is almost impossible to use it hand held. My GH1 is mostly used for making videos and taking pics of my 1 year old son and with this lens.... it is IMPOSSIBLE.

So now my quest for another FD lens continue ( I already have a 50mm FD that I love)
 
Get a FD 35mm f/2.0 - you will worship that one like a french cathedral if you love the 50mm. See it in action through my sig link, both "Closing Time" and "The Farmer's Flea Market" are done entirely with it.
 
ajamils said:
Has anyone used Canon FD 70-210mm with GH1 ?? If so, what are your opinions about it ? Since these sell very cheap of eBay I was thinking of picking one up to use as Macro as well as zoom lens (for complimenting Kit lens, where more zoom is needed).
Click to expand...

am getting mine today for $60, will give you my own experience when I start testing it..
 
just tested the 70-210mm FD lens ...contrary to what some people are saying, its a great lens...it is sharp and quite interesting specially for video stolen shots.I have the 35,28,100,50 and 135.These FD lenses were made for Gh1, thats all I can say.I prefer the older FD models though,the ones with metal rings around to lock.

It will realy depends on how you make use of the 70-210mm FD lens but it is a good lens, creatively,there is a lot of latitude.I would not sell this jewel if i were you if you had one.
 
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I recently picked up an older Nikon 80-200 (push-pull type), and it makes gorgeous video. It's a heavy beast, so I use a Manfrotto 293 lens support and mount it on a monopod or tripod. If you're willing to go with a Nikon mount, this is an amazing fast long lens.
 
I am looking to do Macro shots - would I be better going for the canon macro or could I get away with one of the clip on lenses? Was thinking of either the DCR-250 or MSN-202. I could just stick them on the end of the kit lens.... right? Great to hear if anyone is using them.
 
the doc said:
I am looking to do Macro shots - would I be better going for the canon macro or could I get away with one of the clip on lenses? Was thinking of either the DCR-250 or MSN-202. I could just stick them on the end of the kit lens.... right? Great to hear if anyone is using them.
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If you really want to do macro you need a real macro lens.
 
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