FS: Canon FD 150-600 f5.6L

[Steve Gibby]

I have multiple projects going this year so I’m selling off some of my favorite lenses to generate some needed capital - my Canon FD 150-600 f5.6L zoom. I love this lens, especially on Red, for shooting sports and wildlife. These lenses were made from the mid-80’s to the early-‘90’s. The Canon 150-600 was a favorite of Canon still photographers for sports and wildlife, but then was converted frequently for motion use by film cinematographers, and more recently digital sports and wildlife cinematographers. Most of those conversions were complete re-housings to cine lenses done by Century, Otto Nemenz, and others. Other conversions were done by Optex, where motors were added to the lens base housing.

When I was buying my 150-600 several years ago, I specifically looked for a stock lens, having only a PL mount conversion. The reason I like this stock lens for sports and wildlife cinematography is that the stock sliding lever on the lower left side of the lens allows you to simultaneously zoom and focus shots – push forward to zoom in, pull back to widen out, and simply twist the knob on the lever to rack focus. The re-housed cine versions of the lens are much heavier, and then have separate gears for iris, focus, and zoom. The stock but motorized versions (Optex) also then take away your ability to zoom and focus simply with one manual knob – plus then you have to supply power to run the motor.

Here are some more details about this lens:

It’s a full frame 35mm lens, thus covers 5k, 4k, and 3k easily. Great sports and wildlife lens for Red One and Epic.
The rolloff, bokeh, and contrast are excellent. Footage shot on Red has a warm and filmic quality.
It is easily and inexpensively filtered by using screw-on 40.5mm filters on the camera end of the Century PL mount.
I generally use the lens as a variable prime, but it holds focus very well through a complete zoom in or out. You quickly get used to not twisting the knob as you push/pull the lever while zooming.
This lens has been regularly serviced for me by Duclos
The glass is in superb condition, the mechanics very good. There are some small cosmetic nicks in the housing paint.
Last year some of my Red 4k wildlife footage shot with this lens was put through the Lowry processing in L.A., then output to 65mm film, and projected on a giant screen for studio executives – and the results received highly approving comments from them.
The lens weighs just 9 pounds and is easily backpacked to any location. Setup on Red One, the entire camera system weighs just 26 pounds.
Included with the lens are its shipping box which is in pretty good shape, a 15mm lens support bracket, two 18” 15mm steel rods, and four 40.5mm screw on filters (including ND).
A stock 150-600, with just a PL mount, which is in this good of condition, and has been maintained closely by quality lens technicians is basically impossible to find! This is an extremely rare offering.


For samples of some of my Red shots using the lens here are some links to some of the clips in my Artbeats collection. I realize these are low-resolution samples, but they will still give you a taste of the quality of the footage possible from using the lens on Red, and also on several of them a taste of how smooth you can manually zoom the lens – without losing focus in the process.



Surfing, Windsurfing, and Kiteboarding
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH105-50/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH105-71/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH105-53/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH105-54/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH105-49/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH104-42/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH104-70/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH105-39/HD

Bison
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-54/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-69/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-99/HD

Zebras
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH101-14/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH101-10/HD

Seabirds
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH101-30/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH104-03/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH104-20/HD

Monarch Butterflies
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH101-50/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH101-53/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH101-67/HD

Elephant Seals
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH103-04/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH103-09/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH103-01/HD

Ocean Scenics and Closeups
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH106-09/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH106-15/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-11/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-06/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-41/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-39/HD
http://www.artbeats.com/clips/SG-FH100-50/HD



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I’m selling this lens and its accessories for $7,875 (just reduced to $7,200) USD. Sale will be via PayPal, although if I know you well a direct deposit into my bank will be fine. I’m seeking buyers within the USA. I’ll answer questions here, but I’d prefer to talk via email (no PM please). My email address is : steve (at) cut4 (dot) tv

I expect this lens to sell quickly! Anyone who shoots sports and/or wildlife with Red cameras should seriously consider buying it. Its with regret that I’m selling the lens – but I need to raise some capital for some of my projects, thus I’m marketing off lots of my kits items.

Pics of the lens in use on my Red cameras are attached below

 

[Jay Gannon]

I have used these lenses myself and they are stunning, and to find a stock one without extensive conversion is very very rare. Its also incredibly light for the coverage it provides, anyone shooting wilderness/backcountry work should be looking for one of these.

 

[Steve Gibby]

Thanks Jay...I definitely agree :thumbup1:

 

[Louis Maddalena]

nice lens! even though I'm off loading some of my gear to fund future endeavors as well, I'm tempted to say "ahh why the hell not" and buy it, but I know at this point its the irresponsible thing to do.

 

[Steve Gibby]

Louis,

If you do work where you need a PL mount long zoom, and you buy this lens, I assure you that you will be way happy that you made the purchase. At times something may initially seem to be irresponsible, but in fact it turns out to be one of the best moves someone ever made.

A stock version of this Canon FD 150-600 f5.6L zoom is nearly impossible to find. Then finding one that is in real good condition, with a Century PL mount conversion, is even harder to find.

Food for thought

If you decide you may like to buy the lens, email me at steve (at) cut4 (dot) tv and we'll can figure it out.

 

[Steve Gibby]

The reason I prefer this stock lens over the rehoused versions is it has lower weight, and with the re-housed versions you then have gear rings to deal with - which increases the amount of equipment you have to carry and install (follow focus, etc.). The stock lens simply has a smooth slider lever with which you can both manually and simultaneously zoom and rack focus. That's critical for wildlife and sports shooting - which are two of the genres this lens is very excellent for.

I also prefer the stock lens to the motorized versions like Optex. Those require you to carry extra battery power, you run the risk of electronics failure, and you can't manually (and quickly) focus the lens, which causes you to miss many wildlife and sports shots. The stock lens is manual, quick and easy to simultaneously zoom and focus, holds focus throughout a zoom, has no motor to quit on you, enables lighter field packages, and is more quiet.

Also, the Century PL mount included on my lens is almost impossible to find. Even Century doesn't carry this mount anymore. If you found this Century PL mount, it would be around $1,800 for the mount, plus probably another $500 to install it.

In view of the info in my thread opening post, plus the info above in this post, I believe the $7,875 I'm asking for my lens is an excellent price. Email me at steve (at) cut4 (dot) tv with your interest in the lens

 

[Steve Gibby]

Price is now set to $7,200 USD.

Won't last...

 

[Steve Gibby]

SOLD!