Bill C1664885404 Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 <p>Another FD lens I've been thinking about / looking for is the Canon FD 200 / 4.0 Macro.<br>Short of finding a clean used affordable one, I have an FD 200/2.8...plus I have an FD 50 Extension Tube...anyone know if that combination would get me in the ballpark?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 <p>I don't have the 200 but do shoot the 100 macro and 50 Macro. The 50mm macro is an amazingly sharp lens. I have the 200 f2.8 (IF and an extension tube so I will do a quick test</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 <p>I just played with a 200 f2.8 and 25 and 50mm tube on my old Panasonic G1 with an adapter. This gives instant feedback. In general I found the following</p> <p>1 The focus distance is a bit long for macro - since the minimum focusing distance is 1.5 meters<br> 2 The IQ is pretty poor - even stopped down to F8. Below this it deteriorates a lot.</p> <p>This was just a quick test but the results were pretty bad</p> <p>Here are two test shots - using a tripod but without a full lighting or putting the focusing rail on.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 <p>This one is taken of I magazine I propped up. the fact it goes OOF is more to do with the curve of the magazine page than the lens. Not bad but this combination is hard to set up and use and with film may well be very limited by light and speed.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 <p>Note these images were taken with the 50mm extension from about 1.7 meters (note the G1 is a 2x effective focal length). The image area is about 1.5 inches by 2.3 inches.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_kushner2 Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 200/4 Macro hard to find & still in the $400 range. I used a Viv S1 90-180 Flat Field lens as it gives a more variable distance & magnification range. In combination with the very sharp Viv S1 90/2.5 Macro,which can be used as a normal lens, all macro bases covered. 50 Macro sharp but usable distance for macro way too short for my applications. Currently using both on EOS with original Canon FD/EOS adapter on EOS bodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 <p>Thanks for going to all that trouble Philip...<br> I also experimented with a FD50 extension tube on FD 85 / 135 / 200 primes, and then the 50-135 / 70-150 zooms. So right at this point...(just using a glass of flowers on the kitchen counter)...I came away liking the Extension Tube + 70-150 zoom a lot.<br /><br /> It seemed to have a good moderate working distance from the subject and the ability to tweak an overall zone of focus with the zoom rather than repositioning the tripod...plus, I already knew its IQ / color rendition was excellent from a lot of close-up flower shots at a local Arboretum last year so I may have a starting point.<br> It's still very early on the learning curve, but I think what I have will work for some halfway decent beginner macros.<br />(And if an FD 200/4 Macro should fall into my lap at an affordable price.....well) </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 If you get a chance buy the 50 mm macro. It is an astonishingly sharp lens. It gets close to the sharpness of my Leica sumicron but costs about the same as a Leica lens cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 <p>50mm is an awfully short focal length.<br> Do you also happen to have any first hand knowledge about the FD 100mm macro?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w_t1 Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 <p>I have the fd 200 f4 macro and almost always use on tripod, and these days mostly on eos or u4/3 via adaptor. I also have the fd 50 macro and it is a nice lens. I actually shot my sisters outdoor wedding on the 50 macro years ago. I do like the 100macro but my experience is limited to the EF version.</p> <p>i see the fd 100 macro at keh for less than $140</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 <p>I appreciate all that info as well.<br> So, in spite of "the best laid plans of mice and men to just make do with what I already had"...if you guys get a moment, take a peek at each of these. 100% positive rating, return policy, includes shipping, seems like a pretty good price and pretty low risk.<br> (Scroll down a screen or so to the main item)<br> http://www.ebay.com/itm/141306155069?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649<br> http://www.ebay.com/itm/111371878283?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w_t1 Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 <p>Wednesday morning here on the left coast, looks like both items are sold. I buy all my used lenses (canon fd, hasselblad, large format) from keh due to their generous warranty.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 <p>Bill I have the 100 Macro and it is a good lens. The only reason that I suggest you also consider the 50 is that it is cheap and very sharp. If you need to shoot from longer ranges then the 100 or 200 would also be necessary.</p> <p>Keh has an EX 50 macro with extension tube for $65 and the 100 for $139 - plus the extension tube for about $8. KEH EX is usually very good and a safer option than ebay.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 The 50 and 100 are on their way. Thanks for KEH. I'll check them out for a 200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 <p><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/PetuniaFD100mm40Macro_28402M_zps86cb766a.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/PetuniaFD100mm40Macro_28402MCropped_zpsdc19f8f8.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="485" /></p> <p>The FD 100/4.0 Macro just arrived...stepped out and took a couple hasty test shots on a monopod to know if it even worked or not. Hanging basket of Petunias had a very slight sway in the breeze, tried to time the shots when it had swung to a stopping / reversal point, LOL.<br> Shot it native, no tube... 1st photo is original...2nd photo is cropped up to see how the detail looked and the little grains of pollen seem sharp...and the background is incredibly smooth. Lens looks like new, everything seems to work, will learn more about macro lenses and techniques as I get into it deeper this summer.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 <p><strong>Wow…additional test shots using FD 50 extension tube and tripod.<br /></strong><strong>This $99 Canon FD 100/4.0 Macro lens is very sharp picking up detail…I never even saw the single drop of dew at the bottom of the left hand ‘anther’ looking through the lens…only after I cropped it up...definitely a keeper.</strong><strong><br /></strong><br> <strong><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/060614FD100mm40MacroExt50_zpsdfc4daf7.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/060614FD100mm40MacroExt50Cropped_zps0f0b06ad.jpg" alt="" /></strong></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 <p>In experimenting to see just how much detail was there if I cropped it up even further, I discovered that what I thought was a drop of dew was actually one of the tiny micro sized small petals on that 'anther'.</p> <p><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/060614FD100mm40MacroExt50SUPERCropped_zps0ceac9f8.jpg" alt="" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w_t1 Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 <p>Wow Bill that was fast, you must live close to Atlanta. Congrats on the lenses. Be careful though, you'll soon find yourself wanting an FD Autobellows or some kind of slide rail....have fun...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Great to see your photos. When the 50 arrives shoot it as a normal lens not just a macro. While slower than my Leica Sumicron it gets remarkably close in sharpness (for about the price of the sumicron lens caps!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 <p>The 50 Macro arrived today...those last two shots I posted are using it. I also took a couple casual snapshots across the backyard and it does great as a regular 50mm lens to...as does the 100. Zero complaints for a couple of like new specialty lenses for very little money.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 <p><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/060914LiliumKentucky_023Cropped_zpse98f7534.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="520" /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/060914BumbleBeeonEchinaceaSunrise_161Cropped_zps3983592a.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/060914Sunflowerfamily-WaterDropBumbleBeeonflower_053_zpsee573b1c.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p ><strong>Took the Canon FD 100/4.0 Macro on a 3 hour "macro field trip" at a local University Arboretum and really tested it in a target rich environment...to say that it looks new / performed like new is an understatement...it is simply outstanding. Here are just a few quick examples:</strong></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 <p>Apology for the text being "under" the photos but I tried several times to have it at the top...there's something about the operation of this forum that I simply don't understand when it comes to posting, compared to all the other forums I've used for years.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_wilson Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Nice shots - what body do you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 <p>Sony NEX-7 mirror-less body and a CIECIO7 Canon FD/NEX Adapter.<br> It's allowed my entire 1980's inventory of good Canon FD lenses to spring back to life.<br />No automation...I shoot Aperture mode and focus manually...like we always did, LOL.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C1664885404 Posted June 19, 2014 Author Share Posted June 19, 2014 <p ><strong>Right after a raging thunderstorm I got a chance to try out the Canon FD 50mm / 3.5 Macro I recently picked up...between showers, no time for a tripod…thought it turned out OK.</strong></p> <p ><strong> </strong></p> <p ><strong><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/roundball/PHOTOGRAPHY/FLOWERS/061914CanonFD50mm35MacroAfterT-storm_08AC_zps825e4a84.jpg" alt="" /></strong></p> <p ><strong> </strong></p> <p > </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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