Canon FL lenses

commanderspike

commanderspike

Carbonite Member
I have spotted some deals on REALLY fast F1.2 lenses, but they're not the FD mount we're used to.

They're the slightly older FL mount!

It looks similar... can FL mount Canon lenses be mounted on an FD mount?

These lenses are a LOT cheaper than the FD F1.2 equivalents.

Update: Just bought a Canon 55mm F1.2 FL for £63 plus £30 shipping from Canada to replace my trusty FD F1.4. Fingers crossed. Supposed to be a nice lens.
 
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commanderspike said:
... to replace my trusty FD F1.4. Fingers crossed. Supposed to be a nice lens.
Click to expand...

As far as wanting to test goes, we are on the same page.
I picked up 50mm f.14 and f1.2 in both canon and nikon just so I
could shoot AVCHD thru them and test them.
IMO the 1.4's win. You can judge for yourself as I posted results in this thread
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=1718559#post1718559

EDIT: I know you're asking about canon FL glass but I would assume there is not much difference between quality from FL to FD
 
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J Davis said:
As far as wanting to test goes, we are on the same page.
I picked up 50mm f.14 and f1.2 in both canon and nikon just so I
could shoot AVCHD thru them and test them.
IMO the 1.4's win. You can judge for yourself as I posted results in this thread
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=1718559#post1718559

EDIT: I know you're asking about canon FL glass but I would assume there is not much difference between quality from FL to FD
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comparisons. I see you favour the Nikon glass. However I am not so sure! Going off the pineapple shots on page 3 the Canon F1.2 looks sharper especially wide open. The Nikon has greater contrast but the Canon has slightly more shadow detail, so that suggests that the lens is slightly brighter at the same F stop than the Nikon and the picture is slightly overexposed, lowering the contrast slightly. The Nikon has a warmer tint and the Canon is cooler. This backs up what I found with the FD F1.4 versus a CY Zeiss F1.7.

I assume the FL 55mm F1.2 is gonna fit my FD mount adapter. If not, all the way back to Canada it goes :)

This is an older generation lens. Wonder how it compares to the 50mm FD F1.2?
 
I purchased a Canon FL 1.2 lens recently,I then purchased a canon FD to Nikon mount. I then mounted it together but for some reason the extra aperture control rod that sticks out of the Fl lens mount, got in the way, I just went ahead and cut it off. I have used it in one of my video shoots and have had great results in low light. I mounted it to my Redrock Micro video adapter, However I did have a bit of softness or diffusion when set at 1.2.
 
Canon 55mm FL 1.2

Canon 55mm FL 1.2

The FL mount lenses work perfectly on FD adapters, or Canon cameras with FD mounts. The only difference is that the aperture control on the older FL mount lenses is in the front of the lens (at least, it's this way on my 55mm FL f1.2)

The FL mount is a bit different in that these lenses (or again, at least the FLs I have) can have their aperture adjusted even when not mounted to the body, or in this case, an FD adapter. So you will still have full aperture control over the FL lens on the FD adapter.

I think you were smart to pick up one of these, not too many people are aware of them, or know what they are--but the results (at least in my experience shooting this lens on 35mm film) from this lenses is excellent, even wide open, and pretty easy to focus. I can't wait to use mine with the GH1 as soon as my GH1 arrives, but I think this is probably the best fast lens for the money out there, considering the fact that these go for about $100-200 on eBay, there just aren't many equivalents (I got mine for $85!).

Not only that, the old Canon lenses are rock solid with great optics, it's not, nor never was it, a "cheap" lens...although, I guess it's cheap compared to a Noctilux!
 
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Me too I got the GH1K from japan 2 weeks ago, and just need to order the adapter, I can't wait to try the 55 FL on it. You are right about the quality and price, It is still a small amount of people that know you can use FL lenses and for such a low price it is a steal. I have used it on a Nikon D60 and had no problems , the picture is crisp and the focus is easy to use. I am thinking of buying another for another one of our cameras.
 
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