Super-telephoto lenses on a budget?

ZoneV · Expire: 2011-12-02

Ed Mikas Adapter would be a good idea. There is a uncertainty wheter the optical quality of the lens change with the internal focussing modification or not. Ed Mika´s test show no difference.
It looks like I have the change to make such a comparrison, I would like to test this in close distance, probably with extension tubes.

For the FD 800L is no IF modification necessary.

I have converted the FD 300/2.8L 400/2.8L and 500/4.5L (see http://www.4photos.de/camera-diy/Photo-DIY.html) in Pre-Ed-Mika-adapter times.
The FD 400/2.8L I got for conversion had some metal abrasion in the optical system, I suppose from focussing mechanism wear. This could have a influence on optical quality. This lens seems less contrasty than the Fd 500/4.5L which I had for conversion too. No direct comparrison. Normal Fd 300/2.8L are very good too - mine has a fungus damaged element.
But I read somewhere that others have the same result - FD 300 and 500 are better than 400mm. But this lens is still good - but ptobably not stellar.
The FD 800/5.6 SSC (not L) I got has very strong purple fringing on high contrast edges like tree branches. This lens did not reach infinity - even with my "0mm" thick DIY adapter (and filter inside) - I suppose this is sample variation.

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

This is all really good info, particularly around the adaptation of FD lenses.

Going back however, to the OP was looking for lenses better than the EF L lenses, for less money. Is it commonly accepted that the FD L lenses are better than the more modern EF L lenses? And can they still be found cheap as it looks to me like they are pretty expensive still?

ZoneV · Expire: 2011-12-02

As far as I understand the Canon EF lens quality is good enough for the TO - but they cost too much.

Rough price used estimations (not great condition ones on the FD):
FD 500/4.5L and FD 400/2.8L one could get for ~1200 Euro each on Ebay. Sometimes cheaper. FD 300/2.8L ~ 650-800 Euro.
FD 800/5.6L ~ 1400 Euro - non "L" SSC version much cheaper.
EF 300/4L IS 1000 Euro, EF 400/5.6L ~1100 Euro.

Erwin Puts (Leica specialist) measured MTF data with a Zeiss MTF device of some few FD and comparable EF lenses.
For example the old FD 85mm f/1.2 aspherical and the new EF 85/1.2L II - his comment:
"A surprise again: more than 30 years of design separate the old and the new versions and no optical advancement, at least not visible."
BTW: I posted exactly this citation today the second time, better buy FD lenses fast Smile

Some astrophotographers say the old FD L tele-lenses are better than the EF lenses - but don´t ask for citation here.

tanheis · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 507 Location: Finland

Here is some testshots from yesterday with the FD 800 5.6L.
Weather / lightning conditions where good as there was sunshine Smile

Click for bigger versions

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