Fun at f/1.2 (not)

[cooltouch]

When I bought my Canon FD 85mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical several months ago, I also bought an FL 55mm f/1.2 along with it. I haven't done much with this lens, mostly because it's an FL mount and the only way I can use it with my EOS DSLR is with an FD-EOS adapter. I discovered soon after buying the adapter that it flares noticeably at apertures wider than about f/4, and flares terribly at apertures wider than about f/2. So for using it with my two fast lenses on my EOS DSLR, it was next to useless.

But the optical element is removable. So, today I decided to try out these two lenses with the adapter but without its glass element. First thing I noticed was that the range of focus is very narrow. Somewhere around 20 to 30cm in front of the camera from infinity to closest focus. A very narrow range, so when the element is removed, all it's good for is macro uses.

I've played around enough with the 85mm using decent slide film and am satisfied with its performance, but I haven't done the same yet with the 55mm so I spent most of my time with it.

Following are some photos. Sorry the subjects are rather plain. Here during the dog days of late summer, there are no flowers in bloom around my house, but my holly tree has been heavy with berries for some time. So it would have to do.

Trying to get the focus right using fast lenses with my EOS XS (1000D) is a real chore because of the focusing screen's built-in depth of field. Anything faster than about f/4 and you can't tell if the image is actually in focus at the sensor plane. A real PITA. The only solution I've found is to take a lot of photos of the same subject, adjusting the focus slightly (or moving the camera in and out slightly), and hope that at least one is in focus. This is what I had to do with all the shots taken at f/1.2 below.

Some shots with the 55mm f/1.2 at f/1.2. First thing I noticed was the strong CA. But the bokeh are so extreme at that aperture, that it's possible to do something with the bokeh and CA, as the fourth shot shows. Wide open, the focus appears rather soft, but it's hard to say with my camera. Examining the images at 100% reveals a good amount of detail. Note the strong CA and oval shaped bokeh.


The spider web really shows the CA, mostly purple. There was a lot of green CA also.


Sometimes the results can be interesting . . .


A decent amount of detail in the next two shots.




And same as above, but at f/4.


The following two shots were taken with the 85/1.2. Wide open then at f/4. The level of detail between the two lenses is pretty close. But the 85's CA is much less.




Crops of both the 55mm and 85mm wide open at f/1.2. The 85mm crop was at 100%. The 55mm was somewhat less, since its magnification with the adapter was greater.

55mm


85mm


I feel the need to emphasize again that my best attempts at focusing with these lenses and my camera may have focusing errors. The discussions and descriptions I've read on the subject of focusing screens have left me with unanswered questions, so I remain confused.

[egidio]

that 85mm really looks great

[Himself]

Is there any way to adapt FL mount to EOS?

[cooltouch]

The FD to EOS adapter also works with FL lenses.

Or can I assume by your question you're wondering if the lenses can be converted? The answer to that is 'Yes.' I know of at least one person who has converted an FL 19mm f/3.5 to EOS mount. I'm sure it can be done with others, especially since the FL mount itself is so much simpler in construction than the FD mount.

[LucisPictor]

But on the other hand, our hinnerker has tried to convert some FL lenses to EOS and encountered some real difficulties (I think with diaphragm control, but I'm not sure). And he's great with FD to EOS conversions!

[ManualFocus-G]

I found f1.2 challenging with a 5D, fair play for giving it a go with the 1000D!

I think we have to accept that these lenses are great for low light and special effects, but not brilliantly usable on a day to day basis )certainly not wide open anyway). People buying these obviously had some cash!

[AhamB]

[convert1]

My Canon FD ssc asph 85mm f1.2 was converted in Year 2008 by me. The results which I saw in your shots, shows me exactly the same effects which I had during the conversion.
I have found also that the last glass element should be 42mm distance to the sensor (don't know why, I am not lense designer), otherwise you get strong CA and dream colour.
Regards

[cooltouch]