Just wondering if anyone has gone down the road of comparing FD lenses. vs. Super Takumars.

I think I like the lens choices in the FD set. I've not gotten FD before, because other lenses (OM, SuperTak) are also useable on my Canon DSLR. But, I think I'm finding limits in the OM line-up, and the SuperTaks I have are fantastic stopped down, but pretty soft wide open.

I also like the FD 35/2 and 85/1.8, and if I went FD I might as well try the 50/1.4. Before I buy them (and end up with even MORE legacy lenses, lol), I was just wondering if anyone had compared FDs on your m43 camera to SuperTak or even OM.

ESPECIALLY with regards to Bokeh. My supertaks seem to create kind of "busy" bokeh, and I was looking for something a bit creamier.

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EM5; 9-18, PL25, 100-300 and some others.
(also, 6D + RX100)

As with all things, it depends on the lens. Some are better than others. You'd have to go through a lens-by lens comparison. I love nearly all my FD/FL lenses (the 28/2.8 is a dog in terms of bokeh, but it was cheap), but I did my research before I bought them. I'm sure you'll find really good Super-Taks, and probably some dogs in that bunch as well.

Your best bet is to look through online galleries for lenses in the focal length you want, and compare them that way.

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-Dragos
Panasonic GH1 + various lenses

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to manage just one adapter in the field. No worries, though. I know what you are saying.

Quick question as I research FD -- there's the breach and the bayonet mount. Does one adapter work for both, or do you need to be mindful of lens/adapter matching?

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EM5; 9-18, PL25, 100-300 and some others.
(also, 6D + RX100)

I've had some issues fitting both breech and bayonet lenses to FD adapters. To fit the breech lock lenses I had to sand the top of the adapter just a tad. This is with the cheaper adapters, but you can make them fit.

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-Dragos
Panasonic GH1 + various lenses

FD or FDn

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Bill

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billn_france/

Same difference. FD/FL are breech lock, FDn is bayonet. What I wrote applies to both.

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-Dragos
Panasonic GH1 + various lenses

I have not had any problem fitting either the FD or the FDn lens to the cheap chinese adaptors

are you saying that you had a problem fitting both the FD and FDn lenses to the Chinese adapters - i.e. you have problems with both breach lock and bayonet fittings

The breach lock can be a bit "sticky" and a fiddle to fit

They are a little more difficult to "line up" correctly than other MF lenses

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Bill

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billn_france/

I can say this about Canons: except for the FDn L series and earlier FD aspherics, it can be hit-or-miss. I have 7 Canon primes that I have tested and used on my m43 cameras and 4 are superb the other 3 I can't use at all. CA correction is the biggest issue. I think the performance of the FDn series is better in general but I have an FL series ( this has to be from the mid 1960s) 50mm macro that is actually fantastic.

I can see how what I wrote is unclear - I've had issues fitting both breech lock and bayonet lenses on the same adapter, yes. Meaning I've only been able to fit the bayonet lenses (i.e. FDn mount) without modifying the adapter. To fit the breech lock lenses (whether FD or FL mount) I've had to modify the adapter.

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-Dragos
Panasonic GH1 + various lenses

Hi Dragos

I found the FD lens, (say, 35mm f2) to be a lot more difficult to fit than the FDn, (say, 50mm f1.4 etc.,)
Both are a little tricky until you get the "knack" as in order for the aperture ring to function the lens will only fit on the adapter in one way and it is a tight fit - at first I thought that the adapter was defective - it took me about 4 or 5 attempts to get it "right"

Cheers

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Bill

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billn_france/