Birger Canon Lens Database

[Michael Hastings]

Anyone tried the 20-35L? Some say it is sharper then the new 16-35's.

I bought one of those used for about $500 very early when I had a prototype Birger, but Erik said these older pre USM motors just don't work very well. Was able to return it, so I never actually tried it.

 

[Shawn R]

Yes the old 20-35L. Pre USM, but it is still way quieter than new Sigma's or Tokina's. It has a bit of a cult following. I posted it for sale here. I did try it on the Birger but no go.



What I really want to know is if anyone else is having this issue:
You choose Iris, set the Iris, back to focus, but mount doesn't respond. Hit CAL several times, no go. Hit FN + CAL and it does its thing and mount still doesn't respond. Press CAL ten more times and it finally responds.
I have all the newest updates as well.

Also is it normal when a new lens is mounted that you have to do a FN - CAL to get the distance to display properly? (yes I hooked it up)

 

[Shawn R]

What about antenna's? How many people switched theirs out?

 

[Stephen Strangways]

What I really want to know is if anyone else is having this issue:
You choose Iris, set the Iris, back to focus, but mount doesn't respond. Hit CAL several times, no go. Hit FN + CAL and it does its thing and mount still doesn't respond. Press CAL ten more times and it finally responds.
I have all the newest updates as well.

I've never had that happen to me... Is that with all your lenses, or just certain ones?

Also is it normal when a new lens is mounted that you have to do a FN - CAL to get the distance to display properly? (yes I hooked it up)

Yes, that's normal.

 

[Shawn R]

This is with all my lenses when I am wireless.

 

[Shawn R]

The 85mm F/1.8 works for iris and manual focus. I do not have a controller yet to vouch for that functionality, but the lens calibrates properly so it should be fine. The 85mm 1.2L is the only fully electronic lens, so no other lens should present a manual focusing problem.

I am very happy with my budget Canon prime set:

85mm f/1.8
50mm f/1.2L
35mm f/1.4L
28mm f/1.8
10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

The non 'L' 85mm and 28mm work very well. To be honest the only reason I bought the 35 and 50 in the 'L' series is that the mid range 35mm is junk and the mid range 50mm has a rack focusing issue.

I have .3, .6, and .9 screw on ND filters for these lenses, and a three stage Redrock MatteBox that will hold a Tiffen hot mirror, a .6 hard grad ND, a 1.2 ND, and a linear polo. Works out to about a grand in filters from film tools.

The 10-22mm is so wide at 10mm that it has to be pushed up to the first stage of the matte box to not clip the sides, but there is no bending of vertical lines. Near as I can figure there's dark matter in there using gravity to straighten out the light vectors. It's just that sick.

I wish I had more time to work with it, but I have a film project underway and too many tasks need my attention...

Bob

I agree with Bob about the Canon 85mm f/1.4. I really like the look of this lens and it's worked great for me.

As others have said as well the Tokina 11-16mm is a great lens too.

I am playing with some Sigmas which I've gotten to work. You just have to get used to the loud lens motors. Just practice that stoic expression like, "hey, this is the way these lenses are supposed to be, no problem here".

 

[Shane Betts]

Support times?

Support times?

Not bitching, just would like to know what kind of turnaround time others are getting when they PM Amy with an issue? Want to know how long I wait patiently and when do I shoot off a follow-up reminder.

 

[Erik Widding]

Not bitching, just would like to know what kind of turnaround time others are getting when they PM Amy with an issue? Want to know how long I wait patiently and when do I shoot off a follow-up reminder.

Not bitching, but have you tried to contact us directly? i.e. email info at birger dot com, telephone, or use the "contact us" link on the web page...

 

[Shane Betts]

Not bitching, but have you tried to contact us directly? i.e. email info at birger dot com, telephone, or use the "contact us" link on the web page...

Sorry Eric. Last time I looked there wasn't a web page and I thought a PM would qualify as contacting you directly. My bad. Support message sent. Thanks.