GH13 with Canon FD/FL Lens Thread.

I've got 2 FD35/2 lenses, and both responded very well to a UVA bath. My first 35/2 took a week under a $9 Home Depot UVA blacklight bulb to lose its amber, and the backup I just scored is at this very moment under the bulb on day 4. I love this lens even before you clear it up. The lens I leave on my GF13 all the time for stills and video, unless I need more light or reach. Definitely my favorite of my FD/FL lenses.

The yellow cast never bothered me, it was quite nice actually, and Lightroom took care of it automatically anyway. But I like shooting natural light and need every last candle I can muster, so the tanning bed was a big help.

trez said:
Be aware that 35mm f2.0 can have yellow cast (if you get thorium radioactive version with concave from element and minimum aperture f16), so you might need to white-balance every time you change your lens. Some people say you can get rid of it by exposing the lens to UV radiation for a week or two. Other report it doesn't help. Can't confirm - mine is convex f22 version, no thorium glass inside. I have one radioactive lens in my collection (amazing 55mm f1.2 Aspherical), but for some reason its thorium element hasn't turned yellow.
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I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but if you are looking for a great place to buy used canon lenses, go to www.keh.com I bought my 50mm, 1.4 there and I just picked up the 24mm, 2.8. I have bought from them for years and when they say a lens is in a certain condition, you can count on it. Both my canons were called "excellent +" and they are like brand new lenses.
 
The Hexanon is a lens that keeps bobbing up as a must-have for adapted m43 use, and I love that it's a low-profile pancake in addition to being a much-loved lens. But already owning 35mm and 50mm focal lengths in Canon FD I wonder if the Hexanon would really fill a hole or not. The lens plus an AR-m43 adapter would run around $75-100. Do you feel the Konica has enough charms of its own to warrant a place in a collection that already has Canon FD 35mm and 50mm glass? I'm trying really hard not to be That Guy who buys every legacy lens anyone says nice things about, and with glass at 20mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm, I feel pretty done.

Still..

lpowell said:
Check out the classic Konica Hexanon 40mm f1.8 pancake lens, I got a near-mint copy from KEH for less than $75:

http://www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e40_18.html
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shaveblog said:
Do you feel the Konica has enough charms of its own to warrant a place in a collection that already has Canon FD 35mm and 50mm glass?
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With the micro four-thirds 2x crop factor, 35mm and 50mm feel a lot like 70mm and 100mm lens. While the Canon FD 50mm f1.4 is hard to resist, I think a 24 - 40 - 85mm lens progression is more flexible than the standard 28 - 35 - 50 - 85mm set.

I also managed to console myself with this substitute:
121817279.HiJduG1N.jpg
 
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Thanks for the feedback, LPowell. I may have to go ahead and scratch the Hexanon itch one of these days. I'm very happy with the 20mm pancake and the FDs 35/2, 50/1.5 and 85/1.8 but I keep reading about Hexanon love and of course the output examples always look gorgeous.

I know you're enjoying that FD55/1.2. That's one I'd love to own but its one of the more sought-after FDs and too rich for my blood. That's why the Hexanon 40mm appeals to me, it's a cheapskate's dream lens.

lpowell said:
With the micro four-thirds 2x crop factor, 35mm and 50mm feel a lot like 70mm and 100mm lens. While the Canon FD 50mm f1.4 is hard to resist, I think a 24 - 40 - 85mm lens progression is more flexible than the standard 28 - 35 - 50 - 85mm set.

I also managed to console myself with this substitute:
121817279.HiJduG1N.jpg
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Please tell me what is the difference in FD and FL mount?

Can both be mounted with same mount adapter on GH1?
 
Canon FL is the older mount that has been replaced by Canon FD mount in 1971. FL lenses can also be used on FD-mount cameras. Also the FD breechlock mount has been consequently replaced by the newer FD mount. But all of these mounts can be used with the same mount adapter on the GH1.
The basic difference between older FL lenses and newer ones is the coating (some FL lenses have single coating).
 
lpowell said:
With the micro four-thirds 2x crop factor, 35mm and 50mm feel a lot like 70mm and 100mm lens. While the Canon FD 50mm f1.4 is hard to resist, I think a 24 - 40 - 85mm lens progression is more flexible than the standard 28 - 35 - 50 - 85mm set.

I also managed to console myself with this substitute:
121817279.HiJduG1N.jpg
Click to expand...

A chrome-nose 55mm f/1.2: Very, very nice.
 
shaveblog said:
Thanks for the feedback, LPowell. I may have to go ahead and scratch the Hexanon itch one of these days. I'm very happy with the 20mm pancake and the FDs 35/2, 50/1.5 and 85/1.8 but I keep reading about Hexanon love and of course the output examples always look gorgeous.

I know you're enjoying that FD55/1.2. That's one I'd love to own but its one of the more sought-after FDs and too rich for my blood. That's why the Hexanon 40mm appeals to me, it's a cheapskate's dream lens.
Click to expand...

For those of you who have the Hexanon, I would like to know how well this lens might mix with the kit lens and the 20mm panny pancake. Certainly a lot cheaper than the Zeiss route suggested by another ...
 
Nowadays cropping is so much easier that I often crop. If hand-held, I must crop after applying software image stabilization. For that reason, I prefer slightly wider angel.

Instead of 14/28/50/85, I prefer 12/24/40/85, too. But I want fast primes. 24mm 2.0, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 are easy choice. But 24mm 2.0 is not cheap. fd 12mm is not available. canon fd 14mm sounds expensive. 24/35/50/85 seems nice. for wider angle, tokina 11-16mm?
 
I just received my 50mm f1.8 lens today and adaptor (cheap one off ebay). Previous to that I only had a 14-140mm lens. A bit sad to hear that I should have got the f1.4 instead!
 
GH1_ said:
I just received my 50mm f1.8 lens today and adaptor (cheap one off ebay). Previous to that I only had a 14-140mm lens. A bit sad to hear that I should have got the f1.4 instead!
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Dont be too sad I have both and the f1.8 is a great lense.

BTW folks I have a WD-55 I want to sell...anyone interested gimme a PM
£25
 
I also want to thank you guys for this thread. I just got a hackable GH1 with the 14-140 and based on the recommendations here I immediately bought a 50 1.4 on e-bay in very good condition. And this lens is really awesome. Rather soft at 1.4 but with a great look. It really got me hooked to the FD lenses. I just ordered a 28 2.8 and can't wait to try this one.
 
stonebat said:
Nowadays cropping is so much easier that I often crop. If hand-held, I must crop after applying software image stabilization. For that reason, I prefer slightly wider angel.

Instead of 14/28/50/85, I prefer 12/24/40/85, too. But I want fast primes. 24mm 2.0, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 are easy choice. But 24mm 2.0 is not cheap. fd 12mm is not available. canon fd 14mm sounds expensive. 24/35/50/85 seems nice. for wider angle, tokina 11-16mm?
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That's amazing Stonebat. I independently came to the exact same conclusions as you.

I've just bought precisely your list: 24/2, 35/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.8 (all for the cost of a second hand 14-140 I might add).

I am planning on the Tokina 11-16 for wides as and when I can afford it. Funny thing is the Tokina, a new lens, will be a whole stop slower than any of the others!!! I wonder if the rumours of a native m4/3 version will manifest this year?

I am loving having so many fast lenses.
 
I have the FD 50mm (1.4 & 1.8) 100mm f2.8 and a few others. One thing that is noticeable when used outdoors is they all exhibit a haze even with a lens hood, where as the kit lenses do not. Under shade, low contrast or indoor conditions the FD's are a very nice look, but you need to take the lower sharpness into account as the bitrate will drop considerably on the GH1/GH13.

I use lpowells 75mb hack for FD's (or MPEG) and 45mb reliable hack for Pana lens or other very sharp lenses.
 
I have the FD 50mm (1.4 & 1.8) 100mm f2.8 and a few others. One thing that is noticeable when used outdoors is they all exhibit a haze even with a lens hood, where as the kit lenses do not. Under shade, low contrast or indoor conditions the FD's are a very nice look, but you need to take the lower sharpness into account as the bitrate will drop considerably on the GH1/GH13.

I use lpowells 75mb hack for FD's (or MPEG) and 45mb reliable hack for Pana lens or other very sharp lenses.
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Don't forget that you need a different lens hood to the one supplied with the lens if used on a crop camera. Actually "need" is perhaps not the right word, but you can certainly get away with a much longer hood on a crop camera like m4/3 sensor. This will help significantly with any flare or haze I should imagine.
 
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rambooc1 said:
Under shade, low contrast or indoor conditions the FD's are a very nice look, but you need to take the lower sharpness into account as the bitrate will drop considerably on the GH1/GH13.

I use lpowells 75mb hack for FD's (or MPEG) and 45mb reliable hack for Pana lens or other very sharp lenses.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the props, Rambo. I've had similar experience with FD primes - they have a pleasingly soft patina under indoor lighting, but are kind of hazy outside. The rounded quality of FD's also blends a little too well with my ISCO and Lomo anamorphic adapters, but it's great for a really dreamy, vintage look.

For a crisp look that's well matched to the 20mm pancake, I'm still sold on the Konica Hexanon 40mm f1.8 I mentioned in an earlier post. Since then, I've acquired Hexanon 57mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8 primes, both very sharp as well. One thing some may prefer about the FD's is their 8-leaf irises over the Hexanons' 6-leaf iris. This gives the FD's more rounded bokeh at all but the widest aperture, where both FD and Hexanon bokeh is perfectly round. The Hexanons are my first choice for use with anamorphics.

For edgy sharpness combined with smooth bokeh, I think it's hard to beat the first-generation Vivitar Series 1 primes. I have the 90mm f2.5 macro and the 135mm f2.3 and they're like knives compared to the corresponding FD's. But overall, I think the FD's are the most well-rounded choice for an inexpensive set of vintage primes. They also combine well with manual-focus Tokina f2.8 zooms.
 
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