paulfish4570
Veteran
... for my FED-2d.
Any quality difference between the aluminum finish 12s and black finish 12s?
Am I looking at the wrong lens? Suitable options? I figure a Canon 35 would cost twice as much or more. And Leitz is out of range.
Thanks,
Paul
Any quality difference between the aluminum finish 12s and black finish 12s?
Am I looking at the wrong lens? Suitable options? I figure a Canon 35 would cost twice as much or more. And Leitz is out of range.
Thanks,
Paul
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wolves3012
Veteran
General opinion says not, personal experience says not. Admittedly I have only two to compare and they are different mounts as well as different finishes.
If you want it for a FED 2, one thing to be careful of is that the RF sensor commonly fouls the lens on them. When you first try it, take the back off and mount it very carefully to check. It's allowable to bend the sensor arm up or down by a fraction to cure this but be careful to make only a SMALL change.
The sensor can scrape the paint off the rear element if too low and can snag on the RF cam if too high. Most people seem to say they're too low!
The Canon/Leitz alternatives won't focus spot-on on the FED anyway, unless you re-set the RF for them - although DOF is likely to cover the error on a 35mm, of course. I don't own other 35mm RF lenses to compare but my J-12s don't disappoint me.
If you want it for a FED 2, one thing to be careful of is that the RF sensor commonly fouls the lens on them. When you first try it, take the back off and mount it very carefully to check. It's allowable to bend the sensor arm up or down by a fraction to cure this but be careful to make only a SMALL change.
The sensor can scrape the paint off the rear element if too low and can snag on the RF cam if too high. Most people seem to say they're too low!
The Canon/Leitz alternatives won't focus spot-on on the FED anyway, unless you re-set the RF for them - although DOF is likely to cover the error on a 35mm, of course. I don't own other 35mm RF lenses to compare but my J-12s don't disappoint me.
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paulfish4570
Veteran
Thanks, lupus lupus.
Brian Legge
Veteran
Also -
the default finder the j12 often comes with doesn't fit into some the shoe for many fed2s. I think you have one of the later fed twoswith the elevated shoe do you're fine on that. Just another little trap.
My first fed2 was specifically for that lens. It turned out to be beyond repair anyway but it had a recessed shoe. I still haven't picked another one up.
the default finder the j12 often comes with doesn't fit into some the shoe for many fed2s. I think you have one of the later fed twoswith the elevated shoe do you're fine on that. Just another little trap.
My first fed2 was specifically for that lens. It turned out to be beyond repair anyway but it had a recessed shoe. I still haven't picked another one up.
raid
Dad Photographer
The other option, Paul, is to get Canon Adapter B, and then pick up Canon FD wide angle lenses very cheaply on ebay.
wolves3012
Veteran
If I remember my latin, that'll be "lupi", no?
gb hill
Veteran
I have a J-12 that I use on my Fed 2 without any problems. It's the black type. I just hate that it don't fit on the Bessa R. I don't use it very much because I have a 35/2.5 color skopar. I haven't been shooting much lately but when I have it's been with one of the 50's.
paulfish4570
Veteran
Raid, by Canon FD lenses, do you mean SLR lenses?
Brian Legge
Veteran
I had to look up the adapters - from http://www.cameraquest.com/nikonaf.htm :
"The B adapter will mount Canon FD Lenses on Leica screw mount bodies--with no rangefinder coupling. This is VERY useful for wide-angle lenses, since wides can usually be scale focused with their great depth of field. Add a Leica M Bayonet adapter and presto, you can use a Canon wide on a Leica M mount!"
"The B adapter will mount Canon FD Lenses on Leica screw mount bodies--with no rangefinder coupling. This is VERY useful for wide-angle lenses, since wides can usually be scale focused with their great depth of field. Add a Leica M Bayonet adapter and presto, you can use a Canon wide on a Leica M mount!"
paulfish4570
Veteran
Aha! Thank you. Perhaps a 28mm ...
raid
Dad Photographer
Yes,Paul. I mean the SLR lenses. Adapter B fits LTM [camera mount] on one side and Canon FD [lens mount] at the other side.
I use Canon Adapter B with the often less expensive but superb Canon wide angle lenses. The 28mm costs a dime if you are patient. Even a 24mm/2.8 is rather cheap.
This approach allows you on the long run to save a lot of money compared to buying RF wide angle lenses in any brand.
I even use a Minolta to FD adapter. I have no recollection when and where I got this obscure adapter, but now I use a 20mm Rokkor on my Leica cameras. The lens cost me initially $225, but the seller dropped the price to $125 after we found a flaw in the lens. The lens is superb and is non-retro focus.
I also use a Canon FL 19mm lens that is classic. Why buy the costly RF version which is 100% identical optically to the SLR version. Set the distance scale to 1m and the f stop to 16 and pretend you have an AF lens/camera.
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raid
Dad Photographer
paulfish4570
Veteran
Thank you, Raid ...
raid
Dad Photographer
You are welcome. Now find the Adapter B! It is not always easy.
paulfish4570
Veteran
Well, a fellow forum membersis sending me a J-12 and finder to use (Surely a blessing). I hope it does not require any finder arm tweaking to register exactly ...
raid
Dad Photographer
Wonderful! I hope things work out well, Paul.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Don't worry, J-12s are not very critical in this regard, and DOF will take care of the rest.
paulfish4570
Veteran
Thanks, rxmd ...