Slight correction: No, the coating doesn't turn brown-yellow. It's the glass itself. A reaction in the F centers of the atoms, because of radioactive decay. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-center Lovely lens. I'm happy with a few normal focal range f/1.4 vintage lenses, for video work. Much more affordable. The Canon FD aspherical have reached collector's value now.
I had watched a video from @MediaDivision about addressing the yellowing issue. From what I understood they had said to get a UV lamp and a mirror. Placing the lens front element down on the mirror and shine the UV lamp down the rear element. Based on how much yellowing you have it can be a couple days to a week of constantly UV treating. Correct me if I remember it wrong 😣
I have the non-aspherical version of this lens and I love it! I use it on my EOS RP all the time. The character of the images is pretty much the same, but with a little less corner sharpness. Also it's like $500 instead of $5000. I recommend the Media Division video about these lenses!
Good to see vintage film lenses being used on mirrorless cameras . I have this Canon 55mm 1.2 ssc aspherical lens. It’s soft at 1.2 but stopped down just a little to 1.4 or 1.6 and it really sharpens up a lot. Mine has a yellow look with the thorium radioactive ☢️ glass .
You should try the Canon FD 135mm f/3.5 for the other end of the spectrum. You can grab them for $30 to $40 on ebay and they have an amazing vintage look for the money! Still one of my favorites to pull out and shoot.
I have a minolta 135mm f/2.8. it may not be the same with the canon 135mm you mentioned but i'm pretty sure it's the only vintage lens that i won't be letting go of. too much character, i love it :)
I bought it when i needed a long " lens" but didnt want to invest too much since i wont be using it that much. best 40 $ spent. specially on a gh5/s5 with internal ibis its a saver and a lot of character. I should try to make a comparison with 3.5 with 2.8
Nice, these old fd primes are amazing. I’ve got the 50mm 1.4 and it’s my favorite lens. All manual and I just love the feel of the focus and aperture rings. Not quite the same level as this aspherical 1.2, but still amazing quality for next to nothing.
i love the 50mm f1.4 to death. Unfortunately, my first copy of the lens was quite hazy, so I picked up another copy. This time it was an FDn. the times when I wasn't shooting directly into the sun, the photos it produced looked lovely. I just haven't been able to get the same results since. Something about that combination of film stock (kodak utramax), body (canon ae-1) and lens produced almost magical results.
In the Great Film Selloff (c2005-2010), I picked up a bag full of pristine Canon primes and a film body for just over a hundred nicker. The FD 50 1.4 is my favourite full frame video lens, and a great portrait lens on aps-c. Should have picked up the 1.2 when it was 250 quid.
you can always go beyond FD and go for Canon LTM lenses. I picked up a 50/1.2 some time ago and it's gorgeous. Really bad in backlit situations, but otherwise it doesn't have issues that aren't easy and quick to fix in post.
Recently I reactivated my decades sleeping FD lenses - adapted to RF. It is not just about a vintage look, it is about aspects of optical performance: - Angenieux 185mm 2.3, the only 3rd party lens: It is a monster in soft bokeh, it is lightweight, it is a biest to focus non static objects like any portrait, but it got it to the active set. - FD 28 2.0 My favorite among the Canons so far: Shooting open gives a dream of flares with the sun in the corner, back to the active set as well. - FD 50 1.4 & FD 100 2.0 will be challenged in street photography in the next future. - FD 20 2.8 looks like we will not start any friendship, but never say never. - there is a FD 200 4.0 Macro still in the box, I did not touch it for 30 years.
@@Iam-mad The rendering this lens offers is amazing in many aspects. The Zeiss Milvus 135 is quite a bit more consistent me turning in the focus, the EF70-200 2.8 II is not too bad in its category - to say it mild. Regarding the images you get, I prefer the Angenieux in most cases.
I have one too, and it pretty much lives on my EOS RP unless I need a wider lens for landscape photography or if I need a telephoto or something. Or if I need autofocus, I guess... But any time I'm just walking around and taking photos for fun, this is almost always the lens I reach for.
Looks like Brooklands race track, I used to live near there as a kid (and 2 minutes away from it just a few years ago too actually). I once managed to get my car on it before being chased off by security. :D
I think you may have a regular non aspherical, as it appears that those two tiny dots on the front of the lens were used to replace that front ring where it says aspherical, to inflate value... It's been done before, but I could be wrong.
I love your videos on vintage cameras and lenses. You are so knowledgeable and passionate about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts about the Helios 44-2 in all its versions!
a friend of a friend has what I think is one of these lenses on a flea market camera they just keep on a shelf as a decoration. I'm not exactly positive if it meets all the qualifications but I do remember it was a 50 or 55, bright aperture less than 1.8 and it had the black and silver look. I asked if I could borrow just the lens to use with my Fuji but they are really into the vintage camera next to a monstera plant look.
UV lamp works great. Sunlight can overheat the internal grease as it can heat up the whole barrel, and the you can get that oil running onto the aperture blades. Sun should be used with some caution.
@@christianpluguez if you leave camera lenses in the sun to remove yellow tint from thorium lens elements the helicoid lubrication gets hot and releases vapors that condense on the inner lens glass elements in the form of a fine crystalline haze. Lenses that have haze on inner lens elements from being left in the sun have lower picture quality and the manual focus and aperture will become stiff because the helicoid lubrication dries out and or goes where it is not supposed to be. That is why you see some lenses with oil on the aperture blades. When you use an ultraviolet lamp the lens does not get hot preventing the need to have the lens serviced to get it back into good working condition as is the case with lenses left in the sun for a few days.
I used the IKEA Jänsjo led lamp to de-yellow some lenses. It works great. I believe they don't sell it anymore and it was quite famous for this purpose.
Years ago I bought an A1 and the seller told me it had a 1.2 on it,which I doubted but I was wrong. It is a breechlock 1.2 SSC non aspherical and with a hood too which it needs. Would it be worth using on my D 800?
You all in on the L mount now Kai? I want better low light and dynamic performance than what my g85 is giving me. I cannot really figure out if I should go G9 with more lenses or S5 with a 24-105 f4 and a prime
But why stop there? Someone in San Diego is selling a lens kit on eBay for $58K. This one is included, along with the 24mm and 85mm Aspherical lenses also.
Interesting considering I own a Canon AE-1 Program. I would have to come across one way cheaper at a garage sale or flee market from someone who didn’t know what they have for me to spring for one.
I love this video and the idea of using FD lenses, but haven't had much luck with EF adapters. I could use an RF adapter, but I'm looking at a 5Ds to shoot high res for under 1k USD so would need EF for a while. Anyone have a good FD->EF solution (I'm in Asia, so sending to US for permanent conversion not attractive option for me). Thanks!
I've been testing out the 50mm 1.4 and, well, it is not great wide open: soft, lots of CA and in general unpredictable. It would seem that this 1.2 is far better, but the price tag is quite over most people's budget...
It’s the most affordable of the three “unicorn” FD lenses. The price has come down quite a bit from the high point about six months ago. You can have it converted to EF mount by SIMMOD, but mine has been with them for six months. They won’t let you do the conversion yourself on this lens (nor the 85mm).
The Canon FD prime lenses are some of the best vintage lenses ever made. They’ve gained a lot of popularity now that people are going back and using them again in mirrorless cameras. I actually got the itch to invest/collect vintage Canon Film cameras and lenses and they’ve skyrocketed in value over the years. This lens remains incredibly high priced. Maybe one day.
th-cam.com/video/v8Il_l3tu6Q/w-d-xo.html found the video for the thorium yellowing. It’s near the last chapter of the video for treating Thorium. Hope this helps!
It seems like somebody didn`t had the proper tools to open the lens, and drilled some semi-holes in it :D, my 50mm f1.2 L nfd came with the same holes , for those willing to service their gear, please buy the tools for them, they are not expensive, and you will not affect the value of the lens.
When I used the Canon F-1 system, the FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. was my favorite lens. Super optics!
I have to say it (again): I am just so thrilled the band is back together!
Slight correction: No, the coating doesn't turn brown-yellow. It's the glass itself. A reaction in the F centers of the atoms, because of radioactive decay.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-center
Lovely lens. I'm happy with a few normal focal range f/1.4 vintage lenses, for video work. Much more affordable. The Canon FD aspherical have reached collector's value now.
Love myself some radioactive lens! The legendary Takumar 50/1.4, or the legendary Kodak Aero Ektar 178/2.5 :D
My father handed this lens down to me around 5 years ago; and it holds a special place in my life; great it getting attention on this channel!
Scammer alert
Radioactive Thorium ☢️
I had watched a video from @MediaDivision about addressing the yellowing issue. From what I understood they had said to get a UV lamp and a mirror. Placing the lens front element down on the mirror and shine the UV lamp down the rear element. Based on how much yellowing you have it can be a couple days to a week of constantly UV treating. Correct me if I remember it wrong 😣
Correct. Some LED lamps like ikea ones can do it. You need to leave it on for a few days.
@@GeraintDafis Media Division addresses that misconception too.
Nice to see the S5 getting a go. Actually hard to find consistent L mount content.
I wish the S5 had the screen of the S1. 😕
Because the L mount is pointless and overpriced.
@@V0idFace this is accurate, I ditched my s5 for a canon r6
@@Zmar.Photos S5 II >>> R6
@@V0idFace isnt like most of sigma's line on the L mount? lol
I have the non-aspherical version of this lens and I love it! I use it on my EOS RP all the time. The character of the images is pretty much the same, but with a little less corner sharpness. Also it's like $500 instead of $5000. I recommend the Media Division video about these lenses!
Same. Use it on my R6 and A7sIII all the time.
How about nFD 50/1.2 L?
@@ericcoen8894 I've never used the nFD L. But I DO have the nFD 50mm 1.2 non-L. It's great, and lighter, but not the same pizazz as the 55mm 1.2 ssc.
Is there any way to see those photos you took with them? I own RP too and found this lens interesting
I just picked up the aspherical version in a kit with the 35mm f2 ssc and a canon a-1 for 200 bucks.
Good to see vintage film lenses being used on mirrorless cameras . I have this Canon 55mm 1.2 ssc aspherical lens. It’s soft at 1.2 but stopped down just a little to 1.4 or 1.6 and it really sharpens up a lot. Mine has a yellow look with the thorium radioactive ☢️ glass .
You should try the Canon FD 135mm f/3.5 for the other end of the spectrum. You can grab them for $30 to $40 on ebay and they have an amazing vintage look for the money! Still one of my favorites to pull out and shoot.
I have a minolta 135mm f/2.8. it may not be the same with the canon 135mm you mentioned but i'm pretty sure it's the only vintage lens that i won't be letting go of. too much character, i love it :)
I bought it when i needed a long " lens" but didnt want to invest too much since i wont be using it that much.
best 40 $ spent. specially on a gh5/s5 with internal ibis its a saver and a lot of character. I should try to make a comparison with 3.5 with 2.8
Is this Brooklands old race track?
Recently picked the aspherical copy up In mint condition for 200 with a canon A1 and 35mm f2 SSC.
Nice, these old fd primes are amazing. I’ve got the 50mm 1.4 and it’s my favorite lens. All manual and I just love the feel of the focus and aperture rings. Not quite the same level as this aspherical 1.2, but still amazing quality for next to nothing.
Are adapters available to attach to a R6?
@@DarkstarDarth yup.
i love the 50mm f1.4 to death. Unfortunately, my first copy of the lens was quite hazy, so I picked up another copy. This time it was an FDn. the times when I wasn't shooting directly into the sun, the photos it produced looked lovely. I just haven't been able to get the same results since. Something about that combination of film stock (kodak utramax), body (canon ae-1) and lens produced almost magical results.
In the Great Film Selloff (c2005-2010), I picked up a bag full of pristine Canon primes and a film body for just over a hundred nicker. The FD 50 1.4 is my favourite full frame video lens, and a great portrait lens on aps-c. Should have picked up the 1.2 when it was 250 quid.
you can always go beyond FD and go for Canon LTM lenses. I picked up a 50/1.2 some time ago and it's gorgeous. Really bad in backlit situations, but otherwise it doesn't have issues that aren't easy and quick to fix in post.
Kai: This lens is so well built. They don't make them like this anymore.
Lens immediately breaks.
lol
Yeah they do, they’re called Leica, Voigtländer, and Zeiss M lenses.
helicoid jamed with some crap..
Recently I reactivated my decades sleeping FD lenses - adapted to RF.
It is not just about a vintage look, it is about aspects of optical performance:
- Angenieux 185mm 2.3, the only 3rd party lens: It is a monster in soft bokeh, it is lightweight, it is a biest to focus non static objects like any portrait, but it got it to the active set.
- FD 28 2.0 My favorite among the Canons so far: Shooting open gives a dream of flares with the sun in the corner, back to the active set as well.
- FD 50 1.4 & FD 100 2.0 will be challenged in street photography in the next future.
- FD 20 2.8 looks like we will not start any friendship, but never say never.
- there is a FD 200 4.0 Macro still in the box, I did not touch it for 30 years.
I have the Angenieux 180 2.3 too, it´s an absolute amazing lens making unparalleled stable colours, even compared to my T* and Leica R´s !
@@Iam-mad The rendering this lens offers is amazing in many aspects.
The Zeiss Milvus 135 is quite a bit more consistent me turning in the focus, the EF70-200 2.8 II is not too bad in its category - to say it mild.
Regarding the images you get, I prefer the Angenieux in most cases.
What mount is that Angenieux lens?
@@7evive FD (the new version, not the silver bayonet ring)
I have the 55mm 1.2 SSC (non asph) and can confirm for $500aud it is the best lens for the price I've ever purchased and it's not even close!
I have one too, and it pretty much lives on my EOS RP unless I need a wider lens for landscape photography or if I need a telephoto or something. Or if I need autofocus, I guess... But any time I'm just walking around and taking photos for fun, this is almost always the lens I reach for.
This lens is permanently attached to my Sony A72, via a Metabones adaptor. Awesome rendition of B/W and colour images.
Love the artistic use of silence at the end 😁
The lens has the last word.
love the outtakes, please have more of them in future videos. Thanks for introducing us to this lens!
No audio from 11:10 until the end
Good to see these two together again honestly!!!
They were doing great, back in ... Who knows when... 10 years ago or something...
Looks like Brooklands race track, I used to live near there as a kid (and 2 minutes away from it just a few years ago too actually). I once managed to get my car on it before being chased off by security. :D
Props for using a Lumix! Keep this company afloat!
4:00 i was thinking where the F*stop are you guys.. brooklands old circuit with the banking! wow big balls doing that at over 100 mph. rather bumpy.
I think you may have a regular non aspherical, as it appears that those two tiny dots on the front of the lens were used to replace that front ring where it says aspherical, to inflate value... It's been done before, but I could be wrong.
Did you shoot this at Brooklands?
I love your videos on vintage cameras and lenses. You are so knowledgeable and passionate about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts about the Helios 44-2 in all its versions!
And the ability to put it on a flexible mount on mirrorless cameras and have a tilty-shifty bokeh monster for dirt cheap! :)
I have adapted my 50 mm FD to my Fuji and I also had issues with the knob. It is very tricky to install/uninstall
a friend of a friend has what I think is one of these lenses on a flea market camera they just keep on a shelf as a decoration.
I'm not exactly positive if it meets all the qualifications but I do remember it was a 50 or 55, bright aperture less than 1.8 and it had the black and silver look.
I asked if I could borrow just the lens to use with my Fuji but they are really into the vintage camera next to a monstera plant look.
They also made an FD 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical during the same period. Those fetch close to $10K nowadays.
Please consider a Nikon FM3a, maybe with the Voigtlander Ultron 40mm, the best body/lens combo of any system in this format. It suits you
The upload frequency is appreciated
Some of theses old FD lenses are worth a fortune now. For example, the FD 24mm f/1.4 goes for around $10,000-$20,000!!!
It shares the same optics as the Canon K35 lenses. Filmmakers are adapting / rehousing these lenses for video.
Would love to see how it measures up to the Nikon 58mm 1.2
Most legendary is actually the Canon 50mm f/1.0 L. Autofocus full-frame f/1.0 from the 80s!
That Square space splice in was absolutely magical! 😄
i love the flare of this lense when you put in f/1.2 shooting against d'light
How does this compare to the slightly more "standard" 55mm f1.2 SSC NON-aspherical version I wonder?
I have heard you can de-yellow your radioactive thorium lenses by shining a ultraviolet lamp through the lens glass elements for a few days.
You can just put it on the window sill on a sunny day.
UV lamp works great. Sunlight can overheat the internal grease as it can heat up the whole barrel, and the you can get that oil running onto the aperture blades. Sun should be used with some caution.
@@christianpluguez if you leave camera lenses in the sun to remove yellow tint from thorium lens elements the helicoid lubrication gets hot and releases vapors that condense on the inner lens glass elements in the form of a fine crystalline haze. Lenses that have haze on inner lens elements from being left in the sun have lower picture quality and the manual focus and aperture will become stiff because the helicoid lubrication dries out and or goes where it is not supposed to be. That is why you see some lenses with oil on the aperture blades. When you use an ultraviolet lamp the lens does not get hot preventing the need to have the lens serviced to get it back into good working condition as is the case with lenses left in the sun for a few days.
@@willapanews9761 this has never happened in the 15 years of owning the 35 and 55 SSC
I used the IKEA Jänsjo led lamp to de-yellow some lenses. It works great. I believe they don't sell it anymore and it was quite famous for this purpose.
Definitely sharper than my MD 50mm f/1.2. But I still love that $250 lens.
Were you filming at Brooklands Racing Track
Lumix gang! Is it your main camera, or are you using it just for content?
Years ago I bought an A1 and the seller told me it had a 1.2 on it,which I doubted but I was wrong.
It is a breechlock 1.2 SSC non aspherical and with a hood too which it needs.
Would it be worth using on my D 800?
You all in on the L mount now Kai? I want better low light and dynamic performance than what my g85 is giving me. I cannot really figure out if I should go G9 with more lenses or S5 with a 24-105 f4 and a prime
But why stop there? Someone in San Diego is selling a lens kit on eBay for $58K. This one is included, along with the 24mm and 85mm Aspherical lenses also.
i own the nikon 55mm 1.2, great lens
These FDs have a softness that you don't get with modern AF lenses! thats why I love them.
Wish there was a more obscure entry to the legendary lens series with a feature on Kodak Aero Ektar 178/2.5.
Kai, how do you think this will compare with the new Voigtlander VM 50mm f1.0?
You should try this lens on the newest TechArt AF Adapter on Sony.(adapted to M mount )
used to own FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. paired with New F1. It was really nice piece of glass.
Dear Kai Would you do a vid about the Canon 0.95 50mm "Dream" lens, please. Indra Bhose London
Hi, is the 55 Aspherical better than the 50 1.2L, & why?
Brooklands circuit?
What he camera is Kai using the FD lens on? Which LUMIX model?
This lens is like 5 grand. Oh my god. Did you mention that in the video?
Takumar, Voigtlander abd Zeiss rules- the thorium is in the glass, not the coating
I believe the late Dutch optical expert Erwin Puts who championed Leics glass for decades was in high praise
of this Canon lens.
Breechlock mount, Twist the silver ring, not the lens
Is this a disused race track?
I had a friend who let me use his 50 f1.4 FD. God I did not care that there was no AF, I was just having such a good time shooting with it.
" My face tingling! " 😂🤣 Lok cracks me up 😊
I use a FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C on my Sony A7R 3. It gives me a lots of fan. Nice lens, although it is not aspherical.
Interesting considering I own a Canon AE-1 Program. I would have to come across one way cheaper at a garage sale or flee market from someone who didn’t know what they have for me to spring for one.
I love this video and the idea of using FD lenses, but haven't had much luck with EF adapters. I could use an RF adapter, but I'm looking at a 5Ds to shoot high res for under 1k USD so would need EF for a while. Anyone have a good FD->EF solution (I'm in Asia, so sending to US for permanent conversion not attractive option for me). Thanks!
Would love to see you cover the Nikon 50mm f1.2 AI-S lens.
I've been testing out the 50mm 1.4 and, well, it is not great wide open: soft, lots of CA and in general unpredictable. It would seem that this 1.2 is far better, but the price tag is quite over most people's budget...
I had the FD 50f1.2L it was so soft and had terrible chromatic aberration.
It’s the most affordable of the three “unicorn” FD lenses. The price has come down quite a bit from the high point about six months ago. You can have it converted to EF mount by SIMMOD, but mine has been with them for six months. They won’t let you do the conversion yourself on this lens (nor the 85mm).
waste of money. get an r mount camera and an adapter. EF will be dead in a few years.
Hello Kai,may we have a chance work together for a gear review?
Kai you are hilarious 🤣 🤣 I’m going to follow the “keeping the tilty flippy screen screen out whilst using the viewfinder” trend 🤣🤣
must be a slow week/month/year
Im getting my Canon F-1… still looking for a lens. Now I know, which one I should go for
I've got one in good condition for sale, If you are interested ;)
Kai's watch collection is insane yet somehow he hesitant on the Noct
The Canon FD prime lenses are some of the best vintage lenses ever made. They’ve gained a lot of popularity now that people are going back and using them again in mirrorless cameras. I actually got the itch to invest/collect vintage Canon Film cameras and lenses and they’ve skyrocketed in value over the years. This lens remains incredibly high priced. Maybe one day.
FD Lens prices after this video 📈📈📈
I have a 85mm ssc aspherical fd 1.2. A beast
The audio drops out at 11:10, just after you say "...a bag of s##*". The audio stays off until the end.
Wow looks really nice
so, Kai and Lok is still living together after all? 😉
th-cam.com/video/v8Il_l3tu6Q/w-d-xo.html found the video for the thorium yellowing. It’s near the last chapter of the video for treating Thorium. Hope this helps!
❤❤❤
Anyone else think Kai is like the Jeremy Clarkson of camera reviewer/critics? ...minus the controversy of course 🤣
I had this on my Sony NEX 5 back in the day. Really nice glass and I regret selling it :)
Ich habe eins zu verkaufen, wenn du es zu sehr bereust ;)
Well this asks for a Nikon Noct 58/1.2 episode now :D
Nice pictures
I have the older FL version of this lens. One of my favorites.
Same.
An underrated lens and good performance for an inexpensive f1.2 lens.
An underrated lens and good performance for an inexpensive f1.2 lens.
The FL 55 1.2 definitely has a more vintage rendering, plenty of character but very sharp.
Love these vintage reviews. I can't afford new lenses so use these old ones.
00:00 Definitely Jupiter and Industar
It's not that you couldn't mount FD lenses on DSLRs. It's that it wasn't simple to mount them ;)
I gotta give some credit to the S5… another workhorse from Lumix.
FL 58mm 1.2 is the poor mans copy and works great. I got chrome nose version.
that pre ad joke got me lmao
yo, if you shared the raws, the addition would be craaazy
I have the same optics - with the same problems ( ;
N FD have radiation?
try the no name shake 15 by Newyi..:) $160
I have also a FD 50mm Lens, but the cheap Version for 30€.
..sadly my glasses look like yours .. love the channel
It seems like somebody didn`t had the proper tools to open the lens, and drilled some semi-holes in it :D, my 50mm f1.2 L nfd came with the same holes , for those willing to service their gear, please buy the tools for them, they are not expensive, and you will not affect the value of the lens.
Classic squarespace ad
Nice Goro´s necklace ;)
40000+cpm radioactivity 🤩☢️