CONTAX ZEISS VS CANON FD | ( BMPCC 4K / 6K )

Hey guys,

In this video I talk about 2 very popular options for filmmakers when it comes to vintage lenses which are the Contax Zeiss and the Canon FDs.

I wanted to share my thoughts on them, why I have the two, the differences and similarities and which I would recommend based on my experience using them on the BMPCC 4K, 6K and 6K Pro.

I know a lot of people these days are still considering buying vintage lenses so hopefully this video can help you in choosing which one to go with.

Which one would you get or which one do you already have ?

Let me know if you have any questions .

Cheers,
Flo

Wasn't there an issue with adapting FD to EF? I don't seem to recall what that was anymore.

Flo, which FD to EF adapter are you using with the Pocket 6K?

I'm wondering too. You can easily adapt to FDs to MFT, but it's too short for EF.

I'm wondering too. You can easily adapt to FDs to MFT, but it's too short for EF.

I think that was it but it’s even a while. It would be nice if I can adapt FD to EF. I have a few of them from my AE1 camera from long ago.

Fd can’t be adapted easily to EF. You either use an image degrading adapter with an optical element or pay for someone to modify the lens. IMO unless you have the special L version FD lenses the later is not worth doing. FD lenses generally have low micro contrast which makes them useful to compare with Contax Zeiss which have a modern high micro contrast look to them. Contax Zeiss along with Leica R have the best mechanical integrity and smoothest focus action of all the legacy SLR lenses which makes them especially suitable for filming. Fdn have quite poor mechanical integrity esp now they are very old as many of the plastic components have not aged or worn well so focus ring slop and backlash is common.lastly when adapting to M43 the low micro contrast and rather marginal resolution of some models really doesn’t play well with high pixel density small sensors although for the moiré prone P4k this may be an advantage…..
IME if you can’t afford a set of Contax primes then look at Nikon.
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Takumars are nice too and fit EF.

Wasn't there an issue with adapting FD to EF? I don't seem to recall what that was anymore.

Flo, which FD to EF adapter are you using with the Pocket 6K?

Yes, it is not perfect. I have to close the FD lens to 2.8 (or 5.6 for some) at least to get a sharp image. I use the K&F one which is the same I used for the FD to MFT and also for some of my Contax, except this one has a lens correction and locking mechanism.
Not ideal but it does the job. I prefer to use the Fd on the BMPCC 4K and keep my Contax Zeiss for the 6K .

i appreciate this style and type of information. It would have been helpful to me a year or so ago.

Now that i've settled on Cine glass, i never wanna go back to adapting stills lenses.
The affordability of current Cine lenses with Character and color consistency are becoming more and more.

i appreciate this style and type of information. It would have been helpful to me a year or so ago.

Now that i've settled on Cine glass, i never wanna go back to adapting stills lenses.
The affordability of current Cine lenses with Character and color consistency are becoming more and more.

Glad you do, thank you !!
I like using Cine glass as well, less hassle for sure. I am very happy with the S35 Meike series .