Messages

16

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika Adapters; the less fun side of selling

« on: March 17, 2012, 11:48:27 PM »

But your ebay feedback says 100% to me, is there a happy end to this story after all?

I just check it, too, and it shows 100% positive feedback, as it should be.

17

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 (Ed Mika Conversion)

« on: March 17, 2012, 11:03:20 PM »

(Not bad for a 40-year-old lens bolted to a hunk of brass cut down by some canadian guy in his back shed  )

Ha!  Yeah, what would we do with out Canadians whittling brass...  Nice shot! 

18

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika Adapters; the less fun side of selling

« on: March 17, 2012, 11:00:33 PM »

Ed,

That's terrible and unfair.  You've been an absolute pleasure to deal with, especially when CanadaPost was making things difficult for everyone.  Glad you vented rather than let this stew.  It has nothing to do with you and I don't even think your tone was out of line in anyway.  This guy is trying to rip you off.  Thanks for posting the eBay account ID. 

BTW, I am really enjoying the updated FL 55mm adapter!  (Not to mention the old version of the FL 55mm, the 0.5mm bi-rotational adapter for superteles, and the TS 35mm adapter.)  Your inventions are the best thing that has happened to my photography habit in a decade or more.  Keep it up because you're creating a whole new life for some great forgotten glass!

Just got a couple photos with the new FL 55 adapter posted:
http://www.harleycowan.com/Street-Scenes/San-Francisco/21982217_cDZ8v3#!i=1753424578&k=t55FPCH

Take care!

H

19

EOS Bodies / Re: Selling 5D mk ll. Reasonable price?

« on: February 27, 2012, 03:14:15 AM »

I agree with ereka, too.  Sounds about right. 

20

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Looking for tripod advice...

« on: February 25, 2012, 02:42:13 AM »

I got mine on eBay after the recommendation from a couple others on the forum who had done the same.  I was nervous about ordering from China, but we all got the real deal.  Mine was $360 including the shipping. 

The ballhead is much, much better than I ever expected it to be.  It's smooth, solid, and works with any alfa-swiss plate (one comes with it).  I put an old, all-metal FD 300mm f/2.8 L lens on mine and it doesn't phase the ballhead or the tripod one little bit. 

I've had mine for a couple months now and I absolutely feel like I bought the right thing.  It's super-easy to take anywhere with me.  The leg diameter is quite beefy.  And it's built to last.  If I remember all my research, the total weight including ballhead is under 4 lbs.  Regardless, the whole package is so much lighter than my Slik aluminum tripod that I simply don't notice the weight.  That telephoto lens weighs more...

21

Lenses / Re: What's your favorite Canon lens and why?

« on: February 22, 2012, 07:22:56 PM »

I have or have had more than my fair share of Canon lenses ( over 50 by last count ). If I had to pick 1 it would depend on the subject, and my mood. A top 10 in no particular order would be

EF 135/2L
EF 14 2.8 II L
EF 400 2.8 L IS
EF 300 2.8 L IS
FD 800 5.6 L made EF by EdMika adapter
FD 300 2.8 L made EF by EdMika adapter
FL 55 1.2 made EF by EdMika kit
TS 35 2.8 made EF by EdMika kit
EF 70-200 2.8 L IS II
EF 100 2.8 L HIS

Honorable mention
EF 85mm 1.2 L II

Hear, hear for the FL 55mm f/1.2...!  My TS 35mm f/2.8 and FD 300mm f/2.8 L are tied for second.

22

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 21, 2012, 10:18:56 AM »

Interesting.  I will have to keep my eyes open.  For some reason I had it in my head that they were a lot pricier then that.. but maybe I was confusing that with when I was looking at Canon's 0.95f lenses.

Yeah, not nearly as expensive as a TS-E lens.  Plus I think the 35mm focal length, which is not available in the TS-E line, is just a great, usable focal length.  The length and weight of the lens balances nicely with my 7D body. 
Ed's adapter retains all the rotational functionality of the lens, too!  So you can rotate it 180 degrees in order to tilt and shift horizontal or vertical or in whatever direction you need.  It has detents at every 15 degrees.  It's really a brilliant adapter. 

23

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 20, 2012, 08:06:16 PM »

That is my current plan, I guess I will see if eBay plays along.

It is a pity the TS 35mm lenses are so pricy, that looks like it would be a fun one to convert...

Right on!  The TS can be found for around $600 or so if you keep an eye out for deals. KEH.com has them occassionally.  Blue Moon Camera currently has one: http://www.bluemooncamera.com/inventory.php?menuID=0&catID=100&deptID=121  That's such a compact lens for a tilt-shift -- a lot nicer to carry around than a TS-E lens.  And like the FL 55mm, the build quality is really solid plus beautiful glass with the S.S.C. coating.

Thanks for the info, I found a T-60-2 on KEH and it's on the way to me as we speak (type?)

This thing does like to flare. It may be a nice effect sometimes, but I'd rather lessen it in most circumstances with a hood.

Glad you found one!  It'll definitely help with the flare. 

24

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 20, 2012, 12:56:28 PM »

Did you mean T-60-2 or is the -1 correct? I can't find any info on the -1.

From the pictures, it looks like the chrome part of the hood slips over the black lip at the front of the lens, and there is a screw to clamp it on? I think I like that type of design over one that screws into the filter threads, as long as it's not going to slip off. The s-60/t-60 look pretty snazzy

I take it back, I have the T-60-2.  It slips over the end of the lens (whether or not it has a filter on it).  The screw pushes the hood's inner ring tight against the lens to keep it from slipping.  It's easy to fix and to remove.

I believe there is also a T-60-1 hood and the difference is that one is slightly deeper than the other.  The T-60-2 is about an inch and a half deep.  The S-60 is about an inch.  Both are all metal and have black felt on the inside of the hood.

Though now I am wondering if I should grab one, or wait till the FD 55 1.2 kits are ready.  I have heard good things about both lenses....

Get an FL 55mm!  It's a great lens, compact, with excellent build quality and feel.

25

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 19, 2012, 09:05:34 PM »

hmmm, seems I, ... uh, ... "accidentally" bought an FL 55 f/1.2 off ebay overnight.

Oh well, now i'll just have to get an adapter for it and use it, although i'll be torn as to what to do with my gorgeous Takumar 50 f/1.4 if the FL is better (Tak @ f/2 > 50/1.8ii @f/4).

Now the question is whether to get the 0.5mm tele kit at the same time to save on postage "just in case" I accidentally buy a 600mm FD as well...

Speaking as someone who has both adapters (my tele is the 300 f/2.8 L), I say better to buy now just on the off chance that you purchase an FD supertele without knowing it.  At least then it will be usable right away.

26

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 19, 2012, 09:02:26 PM »

Anyone have any good solutions for a hood on this lens? I am looking at a generic 58mm screw in hood now, but was wondering if there are any good aftermarket replacements for the original S-60 hood

If you like the original hood, you can find them often at KEH.com.  Since you're shooting APS-C, you can also use the T-60-1 hood without it showing in the frame.  It's a little deeper, so it helps eliminate flare even better.

27

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 (Ed Mika Conversion)

« on: February 19, 2012, 08:59:35 PM »

Enjoying my 55 1.2, still waiting on a Katzeye split focusing screen so I don't have to use Live View on my 50D; that thing eats batteries like they're popcorn

Nice shots.  That Katzeye screen and the FL 55mm are a fun combination, aren't they?

28

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 19, 2012, 07:08:05 PM »

pretty disappointing that people will do that considering its a fair priced item and all the R&D that went into it
BTW mine is going well, hoping to go out and shoot some kangaroos with the 600FD today if this rain clears up

Agreed -- that's ridiculous.  I'm tempted to buy the new version of the adapter just to have both versions!  BTW, I just posted a couple night shots with the FL 55mm here: http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php/topic,1758.msg73521/topicseen.html#new

29

Software & Accessories / Re: Is the GuraGear 22L+ worth the price?

« on: February 19, 2012, 07:02:10 PM »

I was considering the 22L but found an unused Chobe 19-24L shoulder bag on eBay for $145!  It has been great.  The build quality is really incredible.  And it holds more than it appears it has any right to.

My bag stays expanded at 24L most of the time and I carry a 7D, 4 batteries, charger, all the cables, about a dozen filters, and 5 lenses including a 300mm f/2.8 L.  It carries more than my Crumpler 8 Million Dollar Home, it's a lot lighter, and everything is accessible so no digging.  I still have room for a laptop, notebooks, phone, keys, documents, pens, etc.   

Not to say that a shoulder bag and a backpack are comparable, but I would assume you can expect the same thoughtfulness and functionality from the Kiboko backpacks.

30

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 (Ed Mika Conversion)

« on: February 19, 2012, 06:50:40 PM »

Wonderful pics! I have a 55 1.2 aspherical FD. I am waiting for Ed's adapter to use it. Anyone have any thoughts on how it compares to the fl? Thanks!

Thanks!  I haven't had any experience with the FD 55mm Aspherical but would love to find one. 
The FL is great though and they can be found for a reasonable price -- I got mine on Craigslist for under $100.  Plus, the lens has such a nice build quality.  It's become my favorite lens. 
I recommend getting a lens hood for times when you want to control flare -- the standard FL hood works (S-60), but if you're shooting on APS-C you can use the deeper telephoto lens hood (T-60-1) without it showing up in the corners of the frame.  I have both.