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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Converting Nikons to PL mount... Anyone intersted?

Matthew Duclos said:
This is all very simple, in theory.
As with any lens conversion, it can be done cheap and quick. But that's not how I would do it. This is, of course, all theoretical... Increasing the focus throw be a large project. These lenses are helical driven focus mechanisms which means you would have to take the entire lens apart, design and manufacture matching helicals that travel at a rate that allows a 360 degree throw while maintaining travel from infinity to minimum focus distance. All of this while still maintaining the dimensions and tolerances set forth by the manufacturer of the original lens. On top of that, each focal length has a different mechanical design, so each lens would require it's own redesigned focus helical.
Second, the PL mount is simple to adapt to any blank surface at the rear of the lens given the proper physical dimensions are available. However, this would be sloppy and probably wont las very long. Adequate mounting surfaces must be considered to attach a larger mount to in a way that also permits control of back focus adjustment (shims).
So far we are looking at 50%-80% of the original lens housing being replaced. At this point, yes a focus gear would be an obvious, simple addition.
The complication in doing such a conversion (older lenses, not available to purchase new) is the prototyping and designs may vary drastically from model to model considering their age and use. Additionally, is with any production, cost is drastically effected by quantity. RED has made a perfect example of this with their Red Pro Primes. They are awesome quality at a relatively low cost due in large part to their production quantity.
So in short, yes. It can be done.
Will it be cheap, no.
Click to expand...

Matthew,

sound good.

Could you give us approximative costs or price for that sort of conversion per lens.
 
Sanjin Jukic said:
Matthew,

sound good.

Could you give us approximative costs or price for that sort of conversion per lens.
Click to expand...

lol. I'll save you some time and money. It's not worth it.
You can purchase NEW lenses that are far better quality for much less than it would cost to re-house lenses such as these.
 
I perfectly understand Matthew.

I wonder if there are any FD lenses that have acceptable focus rotation travel distance for cine work.

Then, the only challenge would be a solid PL mount (and the focus gear).

Best,
George
 
In fact, are there any still lenses that have a focus throw as long as (or at least comparable to) cine lenses?

George
 
Matthew Duclos said:
lol. I'll save you some time and money. It's not worth it.
You can purchase NEW lenses that are far better quality for much less than it would cost to re-house lenses such as these.
Click to expand...

Matthew,

totally agree.

But I'm still satisfied with some of the old and new still lenses like a Canon FD (not at all with new EF-L), Angenieux, Leica-M, Leica -R, Nikkors,...

For example shot in very dark street in Vienna at Josephsplatz 5 with the Arch which is an entrance to Michaelerplatz in the background

and it is at the front of the house (Palais Pallavicini) where was living Harry Lime (Orson Welles) in the famous movie "The Third Man" (1949):

A015_C002_0110JH.0003528.jpg

Shot handheld in available light at wide open @ f1.2 (very short DoF) on RED1-M with Canon 50mm FD f/1.2, ISO 320, 24FPS, shutter 180.

A015_C002_0110JH.0003927.jpg

Shot handheld in available light at @ f/2.0 on RED1-M with Canon 50mm FD f/1.2, ISO 320, 24FPS, shutter 180.

A015_C002_0110JH.0002374.jpg

Shot handheld in available light at wide open @ f1.2 (very short DoF) on RED1-M with Canon 50mm FD f/1.2, ISO 320, 24FPS, shutter 180.

A015_C002_0110JH.0004484.jpg

Shot handheld in available light at wide open @ f1.2 (very short DoF) on RED1-M with Canon 50mm FD f/1.2, ISO 320, 24FPS, shutter 180.

A015_C003_0110FV.0000821.jpg

Shot handheld in available light at wide open @ f1.2 (very short DoF) on RED1-M with Canon 50mm FD f/1.2, ISO 320, 24FPS, shutter 180.
 
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George A. said:
In fact, are there any still lenses that have a focus throw as long as (or at least comparable to) cine lenses?

George
Click to expand...

The Canon 17-35mmF2.8 USM/L (full frame 35mm) lens is a tad too long a throw for fast still photography.. for me anyway. You can check out a slow rack focus I did the other day when trying it out on a Canon 7D.. http://vimeo.com/9719447 (the shot I'm referring to starts at about 0:45sec in) It goes slowly from the books in the foreground to books on the racks deep in the store. --Not graded footage. Not as long a throw as any cine lens I've used, but longer than pro-video/broadcast 2/3" lenses I've shot with(such as Canon or Fujinon). It is also very smooth, and very sharp--as long as I don't use cheap filters in front of it.

ALSO... the Canon 300mmF2.8 USM/L (non-IS) that I have has different modes(switch on side of lens) for the focus.. long and short throws. Very handy for shooting sports action that is all over the place, or trying to get a precision spot-on focus point especially when using a tele 2x (which I also have).

~s
 
There are many Leica R, Leica M and older Carl Zeiss still lenses with pretty long focus throw.
 
What is the point of showing these images above?

It's about to show that for me in the near future with new M-X sensor upgrade should be possible to get speed of lens down for a stop or two and

with that get DoF lager that is easy to focus. Also the lens will get sharper and with more contrast in overall image quality.

This is something compared to shooting a high speed film stock and pushing it later in processing.

The best still lenses are still able to compete pretty good optically with many of cine lenses (primes or zoom)

as Zeiss showed us with its set of lightweight and excellent Compact Primes

that are actually based on Cosina made in Japan still glass elements in its design and construction.

This was confirmed to me by one of Zeiss's main guys on Carl Zeiss stand at IBC last year.
 
Matthew Duclos said:
lol. I'll save you some time and money. It's not worth it.
You can purchase NEW lenses that are far better quality for much less than it would cost to re-house lenses such as these.
Click to expand...

Here i respectfully disagree Matthew.

I immensely prefer the image i shot with the FDs over ANY of my Zeiss ZFs.

Technically why ? i dont no...you're the expert, maybe this particular sensor loves the FDs, but my eyes can't lie to me, i definitely prefer the image coming from the FDs with the RED.

Is it possible to convert the FDs without rehousing them ?

I dont need them to be "full cine" $$$

All i want is the PL mount.

Thanks

Antoine
 
Antoine Fabi said:
Here i respectfully disagree Matthew.

I immensely prefer the image i shot with the FDs over ANY of my Zeiss ZFs.

Technically why ? i dont no...you're the expert, maybe this particular sensor loves the FDs, but my eyes can't lie to me, i definitely prefer the image coming from the FDs with the RED.

Is it possible to convert the FDs without rehousing them ?

I dont need them to be "full cine" $$$

All i want is the PL mount.

Thanks

Antoine
Click to expand...
I respect your respectful disagreement, but I must respectfully disagree your disagreement.
Older Canon glass does have a very nice feel about the image that it produces. But you can't argue that the quality and materials in modern lenses is more advanced and better (by the numbers).
I wasn't referring to preference. I was referring to the cost of a full rehouse vs. the cost of a new lens. Can't argue there ;)

And again, this is all theoretical. I'm not a reduser sponsor so I cannot comment on what Duclos Lenses would charge for such a procedure. However, there are several very competent sponsors here that I'm sure would be able to give you a price quote.
 
About Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical:

"This Canon lens is an amazingly effective lens and a superb design in itself.
Of course it lacks the sparkle and transparancy in small details that we can
see in better designs, but they are of lower maximum aperture.
Some commentators called the Canon FD 1.2 aspherical
the best standard lens in the world. It is hard to disagree."

A quote from a famous lens expert Erwin Puts, a photography lens analyst and tester >>>
 
I dont doubt a second that, by the numbers, new glasses are better.

You perfectly know what i mean Matthew...

All i was asking, is it possible to just convert the FD to PL without rehousing them.

Thanks

Antoine
 
Antoine Fabi said:
I dont doubt a second that, by the numbers, new glasses are better.

You perfectly know what i mean Matthew...

All i was asking, is it possible to just convert the FD to PL without rehousing them.

Thanks

Antoine
Click to expand...

Antoine,

as we know that already exists FD to PL mount conversion(s)

I would suggest that you ask Les Bosher in South Wales, UK for a quote.

"We Specialise in Lens & Camera Conversions, Lens Mounts & Adapters.

We only sell what we make ourselves , so can offer you a good price.

We are able to convert Canon FD Lenses..."

Les Bosher, Camera Engineer >>>
 
Dear Matthew,

I will also send you an e-mail, if it´s all right.

All the best!
George
 
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