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Canon new FD 200mm f/2.8
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 12:50 pm    Post subject: Canon new FD 200mm f/2.8 Reply with quote

If you can deal with a fair amount of chromatic aberrations, this is very nice bokeh lens and a lot of fun to play with. They can be found very cheap; I bought mine for 66 euros + shipping from Japan. All images wide open:

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_7 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_5 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_4 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_3 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_1 by devoscasper, on Flickr


PostPosted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Canon new FD 200mm f/2.8


Are you talking about the earlier nFD 2.8/200mm without IF (identical optics as the FD 2.8/200mm), or is it the later nFD 2.8/200mm with IF?

S


PostPosted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had a love-hate relationship with this lens ever since I bought my first one, brand new, back in the mid-80s. I discovered early on when shooting slide film that I had to be very careful about the subject and background because of pronounced CAs. They can be tamed now somewhat when shooting digital, cleaned up in post. I've even successfully cleaned up slide images in post that I shot with this lens. It is indeed a great performer as long as you keep in mind its drawbacks.

Here is a small selectioion of slides that I shot when I was freelancing as a motorsports photographer. Fujichrome 100. Duped with my NEX 7 and 55mm f/2.8 Nikkor macro lens. Because of the angle of the sun, I didn't have to do much clean-up in post.

A Pair of Corner Workers at Willow Springs Raceway on a cold, blustery January morning, circa 1986. Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.


IMSA Race, 1986 at Riverside International Raceway. Group 44 Jaguar XJR7. Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.
[url=http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/202211/big_1067_imsa_rir_group_44_jag_xjr7_1b_1.jpg]
[/url]

IMSA Race, 1986 at Riverside International Raceway. Group 44 Jaguar XJR7 overtaking a GT-1 Camaro. Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.
[url=http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/202211/big_1067_imsa_rir_group_44_jag_camaro_1a_2.jpg]
[/url]

IMSA Race, 1986 at Riverside International Raceway. Bayside Disposal Porsche 962. Sounded like a vacuum cleaner, but it was fast! Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.


I don't know why this is, but there is a slight softening of the images shown here compared to what I'm observing on my own machine. So in other words, the images are somewhat sharper than they appear here.


PostPosted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

stevemark wrote:
Quote:
Canon new FD 200mm f/2.8


Are you talking about the earlier nFD 2.8/200mm without IF (identical optics as the FD 2.8/200mm), or is it the later nFD 2.8/200mm with IF?

S


I have the IF one.

@cooltouch: nice images.
I noticed that the lens is sharp enough wide open. Focus Peaking works good with this lens.


PostPosted: Sat Nov 12, 2022 7:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cooltouch wrote:
I've had a love-hate relationship with this lens ever since I bought my first one, brand new, back in the mid-80s. I discovered early on when shooting slide film that I had to be very careful about the subject and background because of pronounced CAs.

Since I got the my FD 2.8/200mm and my nFD 2.8/200mm IF I always was wondering why Canon didn't make this lens an "L" lens, using UD glass or fluorite. At least the nFD 2.8/200 IF should have gotten an upgraded color correction.
Nikon had their 2.8/180mm ED (not IF, though), and Minolta soon would introduce the AF 2.8/200mm APO G (also an IF lens).


cooltouch wrote:
Here is a small selectioion of slides that I shot when I was freelancing as a motorsports photographer.

Thanks for sharing them!


cooltouch wrote:
I don't know why this is, but there is a slight softening of the images shown here compared to what I'm observing on my own machine. So in other words, the images are somewhat sharper than they appear here.

That's why I always recommend to click on my test images published here at mflenses.
The images you see within the thread usually are not really sharp.

S


PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 10:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some more images:
Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_10bw by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_9 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_8 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_11 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_13bw by devoscasper, on Flickr


PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Casper, looking at your last group of images, it appears to me that your nFD 200 IF has better CA control than mine did. I would have avoided shots such as your second and third because of rather severe CAs, especially along the reflections in that chain link fence.


PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cooltouch wrote:
Hey Casper, looking at your last group of images, it appears to me that your nFD 200 IF has better CA control than mine did. I would have avoided shots such as your second and third because of rather severe CAs, especially along the reflections in that chain link fence.


I removed most CA’s in post 😊.


PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 6:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cooltouch wrote:
...
IMSA Race, 1986 at Riverside International Raceway. Group 44 Jaguar XJR7 overtaking a GT-1 Camaro. Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.

...


WOW!!!


PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2022 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Photos look very nice. I don't own too many 200mm f/2.8. But I like my Soligor 200mm f/2.8 P. Would like to see how it compares.
By the way, which website do you guys buy from Japan? Thanks.


PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2022 6:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vivaldibow wrote:
Photos look very nice. I don't own too many 200mm f/2.8. But I like my Soligor 200mm f/2.8 P. Would like to see how it compares.
By the way, which website do you guys buy from Japan? Thanks.


I bought from Buyee.jp
Just beware, I’m having a dispute with them over an other item, so it’s not without risk.


PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2022 7:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

caspert79 wrote:
Some more images:
Canon nFD 200mm f_2.8_13bw by devoscasper, on Flickr


Wow, fantastic!

Happy Dog


PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2022 7:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vivaldibow wrote:
Photos look very nice. I don't own too many 200mm f/2.8. But I like my Soligor 200mm f/2.8 P. Would like to see how it compares.


I've got two copies of the Soligor 200 mm f/2.8 (Tokina and Sun made) and one copy of the Canon nFD 200 mm f/2.8 (without IF) and I compared the latter to the Tokina made Soligor P lens (a German language review can be found following the "Objektive" links in my signature..). While the Soligor certainly has its merits, it is much inferior to the Canon lens regarding resolution and contrast throughout the frame, up to the point that focusing wide open with a Sony A7 and the focusing loupe function gets a little unreliable due to the low contrast at f/2.8. Border and corner performance is much weaker as well while chromatic aberrations are similarly high. BTW, the later Sun version has a weaker build quality as well as a slightly reduced optical performance (resolution is higher but contrast suffers quite a bit more).


PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2022 3:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A bit off topic, but my EF-L version amazes me any time


PostPosted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

caspert79 wrote:
vivaldibow wrote:
Photos look very nice. I don't own too many 200mm f/2.8. But I like my Soligor 200mm f/2.8 P. Would like to see how it compares.
By the way, which website do you guys buy from Japan? Thanks.


I bought from Buyee.jp
Just beware, I’m having a dispute with them over an other item, so it’s not without risk.


Thanks. Understand.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alsatian2017 wrote:
vivaldibow wrote:
Photos look very nice. I don't own too many 200mm f/2.8. But I like my Soligor 200mm f/2.8 P. Would like to see how it compares.


I've got two copies of the Soligor 200 mm f/2.8 (Tokina and Sun made) and one copy of the Canon nFD 200 mm f/2.8 (without IF) and I compared the latter to the Tokina made Soligor P lens (a German language review can be found following the "Objektive" links in my signature..). While the Soligor certainly has its merits, it is much inferior to the Canon lens regarding resolution and contrast throughout the frame, up to the point that focusing wide open with a Sony A7 and the focusing loupe function gets a little unreliable due to the low contrast at f/2.8. Border and corner performance is much weaker as well while chromatic aberrations are similarly high. BTW, the later Sun version has a weaker build quality as well as a slightly reduced optical performance (resolution is higher but contrast suffers quite a bit more).


Thanks for the info. I feel the Tokina made 200/2.8 is quite decent. Sharp enough indoor; outdoor I really haven't tested enough. Interesting to know Canon version is so much better. I am intrigued. Laugh 1


PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 3:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I loved my nFD 200/2.8 (with Internal focusing).

Yes, sometimes you could see a hint of chromatic aberration, and also longitudinal chromatic aberration (which I hate on lenses). But on the other hand bokeh was really really smooth and the lens balances perfectly and is so easy to focus with only 1 finger.

The results is what count and I got great pictures with this lens, great portraits, and it was an extremely sharp lens, as well.


PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 11:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How do you distinguish the Canon nFD 200mm 2.8 IF from the non-IF version? According to my information the nFD was first made as 5/5 (elements / groups) in 1979 and then from 1982 as 7/6. I assume the IF is the 7/6 version. How do you tell them apart on eBay?

Regards, C.


PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

connloyalist wrote:
How do you distinguish the Canon nFD 200mm 2.8 IF from the non-IF version? According to my information the nFD was first made as 5/5 (elements / groups) in 1979 and then from 1982 as 7/6. I assume the IF is the 7/6 version. How do you tell them apart on eBay?

The 7/6 aka nFD II features MFD of 1.5m compared to the original nFD's 1.8m.

So simply check the minimal value visible on distance scale of the focusing ring. There here should be either a 1.8 or 1.5 mark printed in white.


PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

y wrote:
connloyalist wrote:
How do you distinguish the Canon nFD 200mm 2.8 IF from the non-IF version? According to my information the nFD was first made as 5/5 (elements / groups) in 1979 and then from 1982 as 7/6. I assume the IF is the 7/6 version. How do you tell them apart on eBay?

The 7/6 aka nFD II features MFD of 1.5m compared to the original nFD's 1.8m.

So simply check the minimal value visible on distance scale of the focusing ring. There here should be either a 1.8 or 1.5 mark printed in white.


Also, the easiest visual marker is that the retractable lens hood on the IF version has diamond knurling, while the earlier version is plain with straight grooves for grip
Cheers
Tom


Last edited by Oldhand on Sun Nov 20, 2022 8:42 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

y wrote:
connloyalist wrote:
How do you distinguish the Canon nFD 200mm 2.8 IF from the non-IF version? According to my information the nFD was first made as 5/5 (elements / groups) in 1979 and then from 1982 as 7/6. I assume the IF is the 7/6 version. How do you tell them apart on eBay?

The 7/6 aka nFD II features MFD of 1.5m compared to the original nFD's 1.8m.

So simply check the minimal value visible on distance scale of the focusing ring. There here should be either a 1.8 or 1.5 mark printed in white.


Oldhand wrote:
y wrote:
connloyalist wrote:
How do you distinguish the Canon nFD 200mm 2.8 IF from the non-IF version? According to my information the nFD was first made as 5/5 (elements / groups) in 1979 and then from 1982 as 7/6. I assume the IF is the 7/6 version. How do you tell them apart on eBay?

The 7/6 aka nFD II features MFD of 1.5m compared to the original nFD's 1.8m.

So simply check the minimal value visible on distance scale of the focusing ring. There here should be either a 1.8 or 1.5 mark printed in white.


Also, the easiest visual marker is that the retractable lens hood on the IF version has knurling, while the earlier version is plain
Cheers
Tom


Ah yes, thank you both. I hadn't noticed the difference in knurling. That should be distinguishable even when you can't see the MFD.

Regards, C.


PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

cooltouch wrote:
I've had a love-hate relationship with this lens ever since I bought my first one, brand new, back in the mid-80s. I discovered early on when shooting slide film that I had to be very careful about the subject and background because of pronounced CAs. They can be tamed now somewhat when shooting digital, cleaned up in post. I've even successfully cleaned up slide images in post that I shot with this lens. It is indeed a great performer as long as you keep in mind its drawbacks.

Here is a small selectioion of slides that I shot when I was freelancing as a motorsports photographer. Fujichrome 100. Duped with my NEX 7 and 55mm f/2.8 Nikkor macro lens. Because of the angle of the sun, I didn't have to do much clean-up in post.

A Pair of Corner Workers at Willow Springs Raceway on a cold, blustery January morning, circa 1986. Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.


IMSA Race, 1986 at Riverside International Raceway. Group 44 Jaguar XJR7. Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.
[url=http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/202211/big_1067_imsa_rir_group_44_jag_xjr7_1b_1.jpg]
[/url]

IMSA Race, 1986 at Riverside International Raceway. Group 44 Jaguar XJR7 overtaking a GT-1 Camaro. Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.
[url=http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/202211/big_1067_imsa_rir_group_44_jag_camaro_1a_2.jpg]
[/url]

IMSA Race, 1986 at Riverside International Raceway. Bayside Disposal Porsche 962. Sounded like a vacuum cleaner, but it was fast! Canon F-1, Canon 200mm f/2.8, Fujichrome 100.


I don't know why this is, but there is a slight softening of the images shown here compared to what I'm observing on my own machine. So in other words, the images are somewhat sharper than they appear here.



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