Canon 400mm f/2.8 FD Lens for Leica R

[pgk]

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A well known UK dealer has an interesting lens for sale: http://www.ffordes.com/product/14122310160431 In these days when Leica R lenses are being adapted to fit on other cameras its interesting to note that lens conversions, although far more common, are nothing new although fitting a Canon FD lens onto a Leica does seem to be a bit of an odd thing to do. Apparently, such conversions were undertaken by specialists which goes to show how well thought of the Leica reflex cameras were back when FD lenses were current. Its certainly not a lens i would buy but I was intrigued by the conversion. I am aware that odd conversions were carried out in the past - Nikon camera bodies modified to take R glass for example. Out of curiosity does anyone have any other conversion information? (I have bought from, and sold through Ffordes but have no other connection and know nothing of this lens other than what is in the link).

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[wildlightphoto]

This looks identical to the lens I used about 10 years ago, down to the same scratches in the paint.

 

Assuming it's the lens I used, the conversion was ingenious, using the rear half of the 14198 macro adapter for the 60mm Macro-Elmarit-R and fabricating a simple but effective link to the lens' diaphragm it retained full-aperture 3-cam metering with proper automatic diaphragm function.  I would not be surprised if the conversion was done by the legendary camera repairman and tinkerer Marty Forscher.

Edited June 18, 2015 by wildlightphoto

[bocaburger]

Marty was da man! 

[dkCambridgeshire]

Interesting review:

 

http://photo.net/canon-fd-camera-forum/009P04?start=10

 

dunk

[wildlightphoto]

Interesting review:

 

http://photo.net/canon-fd-camera-forum/009P04?start=10

 

dunk

 

Ultimately my shoulder told me in no uncertain terms to quit using the lens.  Took about a year to recover.  Last I heard (before this) the lens was in Beijing for the Olympics.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Coincidentally Ffordes are also listing a Leica PC-Super-Angulon-R 28/2.8 in Canon EOS mount - complete with its original R mount for reconversion. 

 

dunk 

[Locutus]

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Tom's Camera Laden on ebay also lists one at the moment in original R mount, i was tempted but sanity prevailed.

[apbphoto]

I know this is years out of date but that was my lens. I used it in Beijing for years but found it both too heavy and not as sharp as the 400/2.8 EF lenses. I still use the IS II version. Back in the day I also used the Leica 280/2.8 which I found inferior to Canon’s 300/2.8 alas (since I love Leicas). And the 70-180/2.8 which had flare issues and was an ergonomic nightmare. All these Leica exotica were sold through Ffordes at v low prices compared to current levels so I hope whoever got them enjoyed them! 

[pgk]

I wasn't overimpressed by the 280/2.8 either, although it was ok stopped down! The earlier MF Nikkors were ok but more recent (AF) long lenses are far better. I now use a Sony 200-600 which is relatively cheap, and its surprisingly good even if rather slow and needing a higher ISO to use.

Things change.

[John Black]

@pgk and @apbphoto, I assume you're both talking about the pre-modular 280/2.8 APO.  Folks often speaking highly of that lens, but I wasn't impressed with mine.  As somebody noted earlier in this thread, the Canon EF 300/2.8 L IS was a whole other level.  

Anyways, back to the 280/2.8 APO.  The Modular version is much better.  It's sharp wide open and its CA at wide apertures is much reduced.  That said, my "little" 280/4 APO is probably still the sharpest of the bunch.  Though, I like the contrast from the 280/2.8 Modular a bit better (it has deeper, dark contrast in the shadow areas).

Of course the downside to the Modular kit is... size...

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[dkCambridgeshire]

On 1/16/2024 at 9:37 PM, pgk said:

I wasn't overimpressed by the 280/2.8 either, although it was ok stopped down! The earlier MF Nikkors were ok but more recent (AF) long lenses are far better. I now use a Sony 200-600 which is relatively cheap, and its surprisingly good even if rather slow and needing a higher ISO to use.

Things change.

I abandoned my R 280/2.8 because of its unpleasant (to my eyes) bokeh i.e. OOF areas' renderings. 

dunk

[dkCambridgeshire]

On 1/29/2024 at 5:33 AM, John Black said:

@pgk and @apbphoto, I assume you're both talking about the pre-modular 280/2.8 APO.  Folks often speaking highly of that lens, but I wasn't impressed with mine.  As somebody noted earlier in this thread, the Canon EF 300/2.8 L IS was a whole other level.  

Anyways, back to the 280/2.8 APO.  The Modular version is much better.  It's sharp wide open and its CA at wide apertures is much reduced.  That said, my "little" 280/4 APO is probably still the sharpest of the bunch.  Though, I like the contrast from the 280/2.8 Modular a bit better (it has deeper, dark contrast in the shadow areas).

Of course the downside to the Modular kit is... size...

 

 

.... and COST ... horrendously expensive when listed