Oddest Piece in Your Kit or Collection?

[j.b._bissell]

<p>With spring supposedly around the corner here, I was cleaning up and go over my kit and collected pieces, when it occurred to me that I have a couple of strange items. This made me wonder what everyone else might call their “oddest” piece of gear. When it comes to just the photo equipment, the strangest thing here is a Bell & Howell labeled 80mm to 220mm f/4.5 zoom made by The Osawa Co., who were at the time making lenses for the short lived 35mm Mayima line. The question of who really made the lens and where, or if it was Mayima quality (doubtful) or seconds has been lost to 25 years of corporate paper shuffling. I picked it up used years ago with my nearly new and perfect B&H FD35. It’s bizarre origin is the only reason I’ve hung on to it and I’d have to consider it my oddest piece. I’d love to hear what other odd bits everyone else has collected! -JB</p>

[dave_s]

<p>(I deleted my response because I used a non-Canon FD example.)</p>

[User_502260]

<p>I have two Canon Macro Auto Rings. These allow FD lenses to be reversed and used with a double cable release for semi-automatic diaphragm control. It is used most often with reversed wide angle lenses for macro work. Canon made two helicoids for FD and FL lenses. I have one of them. The helicoids do not have any aperture linkage so they might also be used together with the Macro Auto Ring. Another odd item I have for canon cameras is the Loreo 35mm f/11 PC lens. The shift is not very great and focusing can be difficult even in good light but it's an interesting piece. If I needed a PC lens now I would use my 35/2.8 PC Nikkor with an adapter. I have mentioned my 24/2.8 chrome front FD SSC lens before. The explanation usually given is that Canon had chrome rings left over after it changed the lens to SSC coating. I know I don't have the only such lens but I haven't seen too many others. The Panagor Auto Macro Converter is a device I find handy in certain situations. I have enough macro lenses in the 50-55 range in Canon mount that I rarely use this with one of those lenses. With a macro lens in the 90-105 range the Auto Macro Converter can give a little more working distance. If you close the lens down a few stops the results can still be quite good. I don't have a 200/4 Canon macro lens so if I am not using the Auto Macro Converter I might use a 200/3 Vivitar Series 1 lens with extra extension or a 150mm enlarging lens on a bellows.</p>

[awahlster]

<p>Hmmm. I have a Canon Auto Macro Ring, I have the LC-2 IR and remote trigger, I have a 85mm f2.8 nFD Soft Focus. I have 2) Canon LG. Ball heads, And all the Wide and Tele adapters for The 533G and 577G flashes. I a complete set of J and K screens for my F-1N's I guess those items are a bit hard to find. I have the Ringlite flash and a full set of connecting cords for the T-90. And I have a US NAVY F1N Along with a couple US NAVY lenses.</p>

[casualcollector]

<p>Focusing adapters RA and RB. Introduced with the Canonflex but usable on any manual focus Canon. Adapter RB allows me to use the optical head of my 100/3.5 Canon RF lens on my FD, FL and R series SLRs.</p>

[Lou_Meluso]

<p>I got the often overlooked but excellent Canon Cable release:<br /><a href="../canon-fd-camera-forum/00PdCX">http://www.photo.net/canon-fd-camera-forum/00PdCX</a><br />and a complete Canon U.S. Navy F-1N Photograpahers Mate kit in the original case.</p>

[j.b._bissell]

<p>Wow, right when I thought I've seen it all, done it all, and photographed most of it, I catch a tidbit of information that I didn't know. Thanks Jeff for giving me a new assignment: finding a FD 24/2.8 chrome nose! So, if my (now updated) list is correct, the Chromeys should include the following: 24/2.8 SSC, 28/3.5, 35/1.2, 35/3.5, 50/1.4 SSC, 50/1.8, 55/1.2 SSC, 100/2.8 SSC and lastly the 135/3.5. or did I miss another? -jb</p>

[User_502260]

<p>I didn't know that some of these lenses were also made in a chrome front version. My chrome fronts include the 24/2.8 FD SSC, 28/3.5 FD, 35/3.5 FD, 50/1.8 FD, 50/1.4 FD, two 100/2.8 FDs and two or three 135/3.5 FDs. Mark or someone else has posted a photo of an old brochure which shows a 200/4 chrome front FD. I would really like to get one of those if I could find one. The only chrome front FD SSC I've ever seen is the 24/2.8. If you have photos of others I would love to see them. </p>

[tomscott]

<p>I have a chrome nose 55mm f/1.2 that is not marked S.C. or S.S.C. It also has the green o insead of an A and no lock button for the green o. Build date code L which I believe is '71.</p>

[dennis_kushner2]

<p>Canadian Forces F1N with Motor Drive Cold Weather Cover the most unusual in my collection.</p><div></div>

[rwbowman]

<p>That cold weather cover is pretty cool--no pun intended. What material is it made of?</p>

[jeffrey_e]

<p>Notice that the Canadian Forces camera cover is meant to keep the camera warm. And it's coloured red. That's because red is a warm colour you see. Or as we'd say "It's to keep it warm eh."</p>

[barryreid]

<p>It's probably not <em>that</em> odd but I haven't seen many around, I use a shutter button T3 which screws into the remote socket of my T90 to give a vertical release.</p>

[dennis_kushner2]

<p>The famous Mountie Dudley Do-Right wouldn't leave home without it when after<br>

Snidely Whiplash. What's odd about it is that you would need a lens like the FD 100-200/5.6<br>

(52mm filter size) to fit through the long snout to focus. Camera would need shutter priority<br>

as there is no way to access lens for manual use with the eyelevel finder. Little wonder<br>

that Dudley never caught Snidely tying up Nell Fenwick on the RR tracks. .<br>

Housing is polycarbonate plastic lined with some green felt. Red to keep it warm & match the<br>

Mountie uniforms. Any retired Mounties out there?<br>

I did see another listed a week ago in a kit but was black in color. Haven't seen any others in the<br>

past 30 years.<br>

Canon did make a some rare items for the Professional Services that were more useful than odd.<br>

For the T 90, Verticle Release button & the FD/EOS adapter & FD/EOS MACRO adapter the most<br>

commonly known. There was also a Blimp for the T90. Any pro shooters out there who can shed<br>

more light on other Pro Services goodies?</p>

 

[bob_miller4]

<p>I have a Canon M 135mm/2.5 lens designed to fit onto the Mirror Box 2 of the Canon 7 rangefinder camera. It uses the breechlock mount ring but has a short barrel to allow for the mirror box. To mount it on a Canon SLR that takes breechlock lenses, I have to use a 25mm extension ring. However, the actual extension needed is a tad (maybe 0.2mm) less than 25mm, so, with the ring, it doesn't quite focus out to infinity. It has a many-leaved preset diaphragm, so the aperture is close to round at all settings.<br>

See:<br>

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/s/data/100-1000/s_m135_25.html<br>

http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Canon_MB2.html<br>

It's an outstanding, beautifully made, portrait lens.<br>

I also have what's said to be the original Japanese wide-angle SLR lens, a tiny Asahi Takumar 35mm/4 lens that I use on Canon SLR's with Canon Adapter Ring P. A description and photos of this design are shown here:<br>

http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_Takumar_e.html<br>

in the section on (Preset) Takumar Lenses in M42 (1957-1962)<strong> </strong> under the heading "II. Preset lenses of other focal lengths"<br>

<big><strong><br /> </strong> </big> </p>

<p> </p>

[gordon_yee]

<p>Some of my more unusual items include:</p>

<ul>

<li>Three B&H/Canon FD lenses, the 50mm f/1.8 SC, the 35mm f/2 SSC and the 24mm f/2.8 SSC.</li>

<li>Canon FLP 38mm f/2.8 designed specifically for the Pellix.</li>

<li>Both of the Macro Photo lenses along with a Duplicator 8 for copying 8mm film.</li>

<li>Canon Tele-Coupler R which allowed Canon/Leica screw mount lenses 200mm or longer to be used with infinity focus on a Canonflex. The coupler I acquired also came with a Canon M 200mm f/3.5 RF lens.</li>

<li>Canon Cube Flash Adapter for using flash cubes on your hot shoe.</li>

</ul>

<p>A while back, I purchased a Canon TX with several lenses and accessories. My primary interest was a Canon FL 19mm f/3.5R lens. However, after doing some research, I realized that one of the other lenses was a Miroplar 500mm mirror lens made by the French optical company O.P.L. Foca. According to the following web site, the highest known serial number is 34:</p>

<p>http://www.foca-collection.fr/pages_accessoires/miroplar.html</p>

<p>After WW II, Foca made a series of rangefinder cameras with interchangeable screw mount lenses similar to, but not compatible with, the 39mm LTM. The Miroplar was designed to be used with a mirror box, comparable to the Visoflex. What's unusual about my lens is that it has a permanent Canon breech lock mount. I have no idea if the lens was ordered from Foca with this modification or if it was converted later.</p>

[pensacolaphoto]

<p>The Pellix?</p>

[darin_cozine]

<p>I have a canon 55mm macro adapter that allows you to reverse a lens with a 55mm thread, that in itself is not interesting but it is also a helical mount so you get some focusing/vaqriable extention.</p>

 

[scott_ferris]

<p>Ah the large crate of retired FD gear threw up a Bulk Film Back FN-100, mint in box with film reels :-) It was so much nicer to use than the bigger 250 film backs for the earlier F1 and the similar sized Nikon version.</p>

[detlef_pr_fert]

<p>hi, the black cold weather cover for the Canon F-1 you see last week in a kit??? where was it ??? could you give me informations???<br>

i want to buy one for my collection !!!!</p>

<p>please mail me to:<br>

dena-detlef@t-online.de</p>

[detlef_pr_fert]

<p>where can i get a vintage CANON POLAROIDBACK called CR-PC1 for the modified Canon NEW F-1 called F-Rb ???<br>

also i seek a vintage Cano Batterycase " D " for the Canon F-1 Motordrive MD for wireless coupling the energy pack to motordrive ??????<br>

and at least i seek for a Canon 577G a Tele Adapter and Motor ADAPTER " F "</p>

<p>please mail me to :<br>

dena-detlef@t-online.de</p>

[sixty4]

<p>My oddest piece must be the Film Chamber 250. Combined with the Motor Drive Unit and offcourse an F-1 it's a good dumbell replacement :)<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3356010757_aa8681b479.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="281" /><br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3356829870_142046a979.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="281" /> <br /><br />Some more images: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sixtyfour/sets/72157615306906924/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/sixtyfour/sets/72157615306906924/</a></p>

[rick_janes]

<p>One just like Jeroen's above, the 250 chamber is need of seals...miles and miles of 'em! Other oddball stuff: a genuine Canon FD-EOS adapter (non-macro type), F-1 focusing screen Y, a pair of FL-F Fluorites (300mm f5.6 and 500mm f5.6), and an FL 1200mm f11 SSC (incl Focusing Unit) with its original aluminum case.</p>

[steven_endo]

<p>The "oddest" piece in my kit is a 3rd party, machined aluminum rear cap. What makes it "odd" (and more useful than a normal cap) is that it was made in two pieces. I was fiddling around with it one day and the back popped out! Because it is machined exactly like the mount on the camera, it is now the perfect tool for checking/testing the aperture blades on my lenses.</p>

[detlef_pr_fert]

<p>Canon F-1/n/N Collection F-1 w/Prism finder/camera holder F2/Angle finder B programable Data back unit F-1 w/Power winder F/Waist level finder all in red wine leatherette covering F-1 “ HS MD “ version w/Battery case/Motordrive F-1 w/Prism finder/NPC Polaroid back old version F-1 w/Prism finder/NPC polaroid back new version F-1 “Montreal 1976“ w/Motordrive Unit/Battery pack D 250 film chamber/film cassettes/film loader 250/ Booster finder/battery pack/6V connector cable 2B F-1 U.S.NAVY version w/U.S.Navy engraved body and Prism finder/Motordrive MF/connecting cord MF/ F-1 “ Gold plated “ w/gold plated flash unit V3/ brown snake leatherette covering/flash coupler F F-1n w/Motordrive MF/Servo finder EE/Data back F/ 12 V connector cable 2 E/battery pack F-1n “Lake Placid 1980“w/Power winder F/Sport finder/ F-1n “Police” version with complete “Multanova” VR 5F …………radar speed control unit with special tripod and flash, …………control unit and special camera film back for the F-1. F-1n w/ Ikelite UW housing/UW flash housing/sport finder F-1n ODF-1 version w/oliv drap neck strap and camera soft leather case /orig. Box w/Manual F-R by Canon modified F-1n version for opthalmologie w/ spezial “Chimney” finder/spezial Screen/Motordrive MF/ Canon Polaroid back CR-PB ( for 1 polaroid photo) F-R by Canon modified F-1n version for opthalmologie w/ spezial “Chimney“ finder /spezial Screen/Motordrive MF/ Canon Polaroid back CR-PC ( for 2 polaroid photos ) F-R by Canon modified F-1n version for opthalmologie w/ spezial “Chimney”finder/spezial Screen/Motordrive MF Canon Polaroid back CR-PC1 (for SX-70 polaroid film ) F-Rb by Canon modified F-1 New version for opthalmologie w/spezial Power winder CR3-FN/spezial Screen/spezial “Chimney“ finder/optional Canon Polaroid Unit CR3-PC F-Rb by Canon modified F-1 New version for opthalmologie w/ spezial Screen/spezial Power winder CR4-FN/spezial magnification fiew finder with +/- dioptrin adjustment F-1 New ( partiell Oliv Drap ) US Government version w/ NPC spezial magnification Polaroid back MF-9 w/ Polaroid camera Holder/ SX-70 film cassette / full format Polaroid cassette/Polaroid lens protector F-1 New “ Chrome plated “ version w/ AE-finder/blue-green Snake imitate leatherette covering F-1 New “50th anniversary“version w/golden Canon F-1 letters and Medaille /orig. Box /certificate Papers/Manual/ AE Finder/AE Motordrive FN/high power Ni-Cd pack F-1 New “ Los Angeles 1984 “ version w/FN finder /Canon F-1 New w/ AE Finder/AE Motordrive FN/high power Ni-Cd pack/grey snake leatherette covering all over F-1 New U.S. NAVY version w/Waist level finder FN-6X/ Film chamber FN-100/AE Motordrive FN/Battery pack FN/film cassettes F-1 New “ Canadian Forces “ version w/AE Motordrive FN / Sport Finder FN/Data Back FN/Ni-Cd pack/ spezial all over “ cold weather cover “ pack F-1 New w/Power Winder FN/Waist Level finder FN/ F-1 New w/NPC Forscher Pola back/mini tripod/FN finder F-1 New HS MD version w/Battery Pack/connecting cable/ Charger S-12/ 2 x Batteries /Manual/FN finder F-1 New “Pin registrated“version w/spezial Screen/ spezial film back from Double M industries/FN finder F-1 New “ Post “ version w/fixed ALOS 35/3,5 mm Lens/ was used without finder from Switzerland Post F-1 New “ P “ version for Japanese Press photographers/ AE Motordrive FN/Ni-Cd pack/ without film rewind botton/AE finder FN other F-1/n/N System parts F-1 &F-1 New different Books/camera straps/advertisement/ Intervaltimer L/Flash coupler D/Flash coupler L/Selftimer E Battery tester MD/Remote switch MD/Finder iluminator F/ Wireless controller LC 1/Macro Light ML-1/Flash coupler A2/B2/ Speedlites: 133D /011A/J3/V3/480EG/533G 577G /155A/166A/177A/188A/199A/Canon CR3-45NM unit to adapter the F-R/F-Rb camera bodies & Polaback CR3-PC Canon FL/FD 50/55/58 mm lenses : FL 50 mm 3,5 macro / FL 50 mm 1,4 / FL 50 mm 1,8 / FL 55 mm 1,2 / FD 50 mm 3,5 macro SSC / FD 50 mm 1,8 SC / FD 50 mm 1,2 FD 50 mm 1,4 U.S.Navy / FD 50 mm 1,4/ FD 50 mm 1,4 SSC / FD 50 mm 1,2 L / FD 50 mm 2,0 / FD 55mm 1,2 S.S.C Aspherical FD 50 mm 1,8 / FD 50 mm 1,4 U.S. Navy chrome / FD 50 mm 1,4 chrome / FD 50 mm 1,8 chrome FD 50 mm 3,5 macro / FD 55 mm 1,2 SSC / FL 58mm 1,2 Canon items wanted !!! Canon Speedlite 500A Canon Speedlite 1000 ????didn´t knew if ever produced ?? Canon Macro Speedlite 120A ??didn´t knew if also aviable ? Canon Time Laps Programer A & B Canon FD 55mm f/1,2 AL Canon FD 55mm f/1,2 AL S.S.C.</p>