FD Lenses and Epic

[Björn Benckert]

WOW those look scary good. Love the coatings. Has some of the low-con action I love in the Contax's as well.

NICE!!!

Agree, I been against tungsten for a while but adding light and filtering it out is really a nice way to go. The green screen shot here is clearly under exposed in the foreground and overexposed in the greenscreen. But it's actually a frame taken right before they hit her with some colored lights. So it does not give it true justice, I pushed it in RCXP to about 1650 iso or such, so thats the reason for the grain on that one. The rest of the sequence was with camera movement and actor in motion, so all motion blurred, but still even at such high iso it still comes rather clean for being tungsten, So... where do we buy a set of those C filters ? lol.

 

[Peter Karlsson]

Mmm those shoots looks great Björn! I think I'll make some effort in picking up some FDs aswell Funny thing, is by looking at those few frames, I think I know exactly what production you are doing. I pitched that idea last time that show was aired but was replaced by xfactor

 

[Zak Brickett]

Mmm those shoots looks great Björn! I think I'll make some effort in picking up some FDs aswell Funny thing, is by looking at those few frames, I think I know exactly what production you are doing. I pitched that idea last time that show was aired but was replaced by xfactor

If you're looking to jump into FD this mount is the one I picked up...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-FD-FL...457?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccc48a439

I've only been using it a few days, but it's been flawless so far.

 

[Peter Karlsson]

Yep found it, and it was the same that Björn is using, so I will put that on order

 

[Timur Civan]

are gorgeous.

I used to have a 9 lens set all SSC. Stupidly sold them to get a 5DmkII......

 

[Peter Strietmann]

85mm 1.2-1.4 rules!

 

[Jance Allen]

Hey, everyone. Just wanted to chime in, even though I hesitate to rain on anyone's parade (even the parade that I want to join!). I inquired with my Bomb Rep about the FD mount that's being discussed (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-FD-FL...457?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccc48a439) and was told officially by Red that it would void my warranty, and that no FD mount is approved by Red at this time. I've really wanted to use my FD lenses and add to the collection, but I'm not sure what to do. I've also contacted Jacek/Optitek a few times about his FD mount but have gotten no response. Personally I'm considering a dead end, even though it bums me out. I suggested to Chad Koeller at Red that they might want to join in these discussions so we can all be informed.

I don't want to deter anyone, especially if you're getting great results. Just passing along info.

 

[Zak Brickett]

Thanks Jance. Still going to go through with this, but thanks for the heads up.

 

[Zak Brickett]

Has anyone de-clicked an FD lens? I sent a message to Duclos and they said that they don't do FD lenses because on some of them it's actually impossible.

Looking for a second opinion here.

 

[Henry Ceiro]

How exactly does it void your warranty?

 

[Dave Blackham]

Has anyone de-clicked an FD lens? I sent a message to Duclos and they said that they don't do FD lenses because on some of them it's actually impossible.

Looking for a second opinion here.

All of ours are declicked. They have a hear fitted and also EF mount and 80mm front installed.

I realise the EF mount is contencious as the FD mount is more solid but we wanted the lenses to be used on other Non FD mount cameras also. Given Red's EF moutn locks lenses the results are good. Our lenses have stainless EF mounts installed. Mechanics are silky smooth and have aluminium lens gears lenses have at least 180 degrees throw cinewise.

We did try the Breechblock 35mm convex lens but discovered it could not be converted for EF mount so we used the FDn 35mm f2 which appeaeers perfectly satisfactory.

Overall we are very pleased and are now building a second set.

 

[Mike Quill]

Hey Dave,

So you've done more than just add an FD to EF adaptor with glass element? You've actually permanently changed the mount to EF? How much does this conversion cost?

Thanks,
Mike

All of ours are declicked. They have a hear fitted and also EF mount and 80mm front installed.

I realise the EF mount is contencious as the FD mount is more solid but we wanted the lenses to be used on other Non FD mount cameras also. Given Red's EF moutn locks lenses the results are good. Our lenses have stainless EF mounts installed. Mechanics are silky smooth and have aluminium lens gears lenses have at least 180 degrees throw cinewise.

We did try the Breechblock 35mm convex lens but discovered it could not be converted for EF mount so we used the FDn 35mm f2 which appeaeers perfectly satisfactory.

Overall we are very pleased and are now building a second set.

 

[Dave Blackham]

Hey Dave,

So you've done more than just add an FD to EF adaptor with glass element? You've actually permanently changed the mount to EF? How much does this conversion cost?

Thanks,
Mike

An optical elemnt is not good.....

There are various people doing this type of conversion. Seems FDn lenses are more suited but seems there are companies converting FD breech lock mount lenses too. I see Edmika and the lens doctor as two guys doing this work.

The conversion of a lens is £150 UKP in stainless, Ive seem others cheaper and others more expensive. A machined and fitted gear is about £80.

I can recomend Les Bosher's work on these lenses.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

I'm going to chime in here. The ciecio7 FD mount is RED-approved. At least that is what has been represented to me by both the seller and by someone at RED. There are posts regarding this in other reduser threads. Do some research. If RED has changed their mind, or if the Bomb Rep is too new to know about prior mount history, or if everybody is simply wrong, somebody at RED should clear up the confusion.

I was going to buy the ciecio7 mount, but I found a FD to PL adapter that is super easy. Locks on/off so it can be used with PL mounts or with the Optitek/ciecio7 FD mounts.

FD lenses are easily declicked. In fact, a few years ago, back when the 35mm adapters were all the rage, there was a super easy, step-by-step video made by a guy in Baltimore. Can't find the link anymore.

I've got a Century Lens Projector and a Century FD mount for it. I intend to test some FD lenses in what will be the M.A.L.T 1 lens test. So, there should be an objective comparison of FDs to others.

 

[Björn Benckert]

Converting FD's to EF mount is probably far more expansive than buying a FD camera mount. And the FD mount is really solid.
Also declicking FD's is to me not so beneficial as the throw of the Fstop ring is not so long and I personally much rather prefere to know that I'm exactly one stop one way or the other than being able to stop down half a step or being able to make smooth iris pulls. So I decided not to dekick the lenses and not change the mount. I also do not see much use of having fixed focus rings on them. As they are perfect as they are when pulling focus with hand on lens and using a small kit. I have a focus ring that can be mounted in seconds instead but hardly ever use it with full FF or AC and such.

As I see it they are perfect little lenses that preforms just as good or better than any cine glass and cost less than the lens caps cost for most other lenses. So my advice is to get a FD epic mount and then use these lenses as they are they are really great, trying to turn them into something that they are not quite costly and focus rings and Focus motors and such will push on the lens and I'm not sure all FD lenses or any still glass is built enough strong no to take damage from the FF use. Normally you end up getting a worn out lens that affect the image when you pull focus or touch the lens.

 

[Mike Quill]

Hey Michael,

Can you share a link to where you bought this FD to PL adapter? This seems like the most logical way to use FD lenses on RED.

Thanks,
Mike

I'm going to chime in here. The ciecio7 FD mount is RED-approved. At least that is what has been represented to me by both the seller and by someone at RED. There are posts regarding this in other reduser threads. Do some research. If RED has changed their mind, or if the Bomb Rep is too new to know about prior mount history, or if everybody is simply wrong, somebody at RED should clear up the confusion.

I was going to buy the ciecio7 mount, but I found a FD to PL adapter that is super easy. Locks on/off so it can be used with PL mounts or with the Optitek/ciecio7 FD mounts.

FD lenses are easily declicked. In fact, a few years ago, back when the 35mm adapters were all the rage, there was a super easy, step-by-step video made by a guy in Baltimore. Can't find the link anymore.

I've got a Century Lens Projector and a Century FD mount for it. I intend to test some FD lenses in what will be the M.A.L.T 1 lens test. So, there should be an objective comparison of FDs to others.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

Found it on ebay. It might be a one-off custom made thing, or it might be a real product that anybody can buy. No clue who made it. I do know that ciecio7 will make custom adapters, so I would just send him an email (or buy his FD/EPIC mount, as others have done). Oh and, no, I am not going to predict what a reasonable price would be for the LOMO speeds you asked about. But I will tell you that the 18mm LOMO speed is very rare and will probably be double the 22mm speed's value.

 

[Mike Garrick]

Anyone tried these Epic/Scarlet adapters, incorrectly titled but cheap........

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RED-One-Camera-EPIC-SCARLET-Canon-FD-Lens-Adapter-50-available-/111091199183?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item19dd8d2ccf

P.S. In regards to RED warranty aren't all FD mounts "Dumb' so as long as there is no chance of shorting on the back they should be fine ? My camera is out of warranty anyway. Obviously they also need to be accurate which is the reason for this post. I must admit it looks a bit "agricultural'
; )

 

[Ken Willinger]

I had RP Lenses declick my FD's and Peter did a great job. Duclos Lenses put delrin FF gears and 80mm fronts on them so I can use them with a matte box. Sweet glass!

 

[Peter Majtan]

I had RP Lenses declick my FD's and Peter did a great job. Duclos Lenses put delrin FF gears and 80mm fronts on them so I can use them with a matte box. Sweet glass!

Nice set you've got there! Officially jelaous...

I see you opted for the 55 instead of the 50. Have you had a chance to compare the two and/or was there any other reason why the 55?

Cheers

:sifone: Peter