Canon CL 250mm does Hermannshof Spring Flowers

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Using the Canon CL f4/250mm CAT lens on my Panasonic GH4 at Hermannhof Botanical Garden / Weinheim Germany

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Full album is here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/albums/72157718893128699

Haven't been taking photos for over a year now, siggghhh...

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7554 Location: Hong Kong

Time for more photos!

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3437 Location: Netherlands

laenee · Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 369 Location: Shanghai

uddhava · Expire: 2021-06-21

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

This lens has a reputation for intense colors and contrast...

I can state that this true...

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Very nice results, Klaus.

vivaldibow · Expire: 2021-03-09

Looks so nice. The bokeh in the 5th photos looks like from a mirror lens.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1121

vivaldibow · Expire: 2021-03-09

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Thanks guys and yes indeed it is a CAT lens and a fast one (f4) which also has a built in filter wheel (ND filters).
I got several of them and had them converted to universal M42 mount (non standard register!) so useable on Sony,
Panasonic and other mirrorless bodies. Amazing lens in my opinion with close-up focusing capabilty.

Carefully chosen BG avoids the CAT bokeh (I like it...)

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1304 Location: Conwy N Wales

very impressive Klaus.

eggplant · Joined: 27 May 2020 Posts: 516

kymarto · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 7:01 am Post subject:

It is amazingly sharp and contrasty! I love mine, and use it on FF, which gets all the edge weirdness in, which I like. Just for the info, it is entirely possible to use this lens with no modification if you get a lens clamp from rafcamera (I think 82.5mm, but I can't check right now) and then get a M65 to (for me) Sony E adapter. This allows infinity to the normal close focus of the lens. Here is an example on FF

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3437 Location: Netherlands

Nice example!
Like 1

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Nice Toby!

My mechanic did the conversion and removed all the rear parts, replaced with a M42 mounting thread ring.

kymarto · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:26 am Post subject:

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

kymarto · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:29 pm Post subject:

Klaus, I wish I lived in Germany sometimes.

eggplant · Joined: 27 May 2020 Posts: 516

kymarto · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:30 am Post subject:

If you mount the doubler, the three sets crews of the clamp are high enough to still secure the body of the lens, with the doubler sitting against the back of the clamp. However the doubler severely reduces the image circle. When I am home in a month I will report back in more detail. It might still cover MFT.

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1571

Searching more info about the Canon CAT lens, I found this setup. That must be very useful for close-ups, given the smaller hight over the ground level. Have you also used it like that, Klaus?

But seriously, image clarity is very impressive.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1571

xaprb · Joined: 28 Jan 2021 Posts: 168

I have one of these lenses. I haven't used it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I have Fujifilm APS-C and Olympus M4/3 bodies I want to use it on. I don't have a FF camera body.

I am interested in the temporary ways of adapting without modification, but I am not familiar with all the terminology. Doing a little web searching, I found what a lens clamp is, and measured the back of my lens with calipers. The ribbed aperture (ND filter) ring has a max diameter of 81.1mm, so it looks to me like the 82.5mm clamp is the right one to use from here: https://rafcamera.com/clamp-82-5mm-to-m65x1m. Can you confirm that is what you have? Where do you position the lens in the clamp: do you insert it into the clamp as far as it will go?

I am not familiar with M65x1, but I know it simply means 65mm threads with a 1mm pitch. However, is there a standard lens mount and flange/register distance for M65x1 for photography uses? How would I know what is the correct adapter thickness for adapting this male thread mount to my cameras? Did you just mount it and test that it still reached infinity focus OK, or did you know for sure the right distances and thicknesses in advance? I'm not sure whether I'm saying this clearly, but I'm just asking whether there's a known right way to do it, or whether it's trial-and-error and good luck.

I'm also interested in considering removing the rear of the lens and converting it to something easy-to-adapt, such as Canon EF (EOS) or Leica M. Does anyone have recommendations for someone skilled and trustworthy at doing such a conversion?

By the way, my copy is essentially open-box. It looks unused and has the original box, manual, warranty card, soft bag, styrofoam inserts to cradle the lens in the box, etc. I feel really fortunate to have found it in such great condition. It's quite a solidly built lens, very impressive!

I'd scan and upload the manual, but it's poster-sized and folded tightly so I'd have to cut it into pieces and iron it to scan it well.