Fujifilm X-H1, Canon Zoom Lens FD 35-70mm 1:2.8-3.5 S.S.C. [№ 33xxx (1978)].
B.I.G. Lens Adapter: Canon FD lenses to Fujifilm X cameras.
70 mm, 1/13 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800.
(Canon's masterpiece from the seventies (1973). A zoom lens with image quality on a par with the best fixed focal length lenses! The selling price was four times the price of the FD 50mm 1.4 S.S.C. (ver. I/March 1973), which was launched the same year (100.000 ¥)).
[Monday 22 February 2021 (No. 123/RAF)].
© Keld Mikkelsen
Fujifilm X-H1, Canon Lens FL 19mm 1:3.5 R [№ 17xxx (1965-66)].
B.I.G. Lens Adapter: Canon FD(/FL) lenses to Fujifilm X cameras.
1/60 sec., f/3.5, ISO 200.
(The Canon Lens FL 19mm 1:3.5 R is a fast (f/3.5) and almost distortion-free retrofocus super-wide-angle lens ('The world's first [retrofocus super-wide-angle lens] for SLR cameras', according to the company's 1965 lens brochure). Although born with a few 'lens flaws' (including concave field curvature) common to (some) vintage (as well as new) lenses, it's still a fine lens! It was/is a high-end lens, sold at a 'high-end' price back then (probably in a limited number (<8000?), and perhaps therefore rarely seen today for sale) when launched in November 1965 (45.000 ¥). In 1967 the price of this Canon lens in the United States was $280. 'Not only is this lens extraordinarily sharp, but you can focus with it ... a tremendous advantage over [non-retrofocus] lenses that require locking up the mirror and using an optical viewfinder.' (Camera 35/The Magazine of Miniature Photography. December 1967/January 1968 issue). The price of a Leitz Super Angulon-R 21mm f/3.4 was $303. 'It is for reasons such as these resolution figures that make Leicaflex users swear by their cameras.' (Ibid.). Same price level, same great resolution figures. The lens covers a 96⁰ wide field of view. On an APS-C camera, an angle of view of 75⁰, i.e. just like a 28mm lens on a 'full-frame' camera. With a weight of 500g, it's not exactly lightweight. But when handheld, the weight provides stability against camera shake, as opposed to flimsy plastic lenses. An exciting manual retrofocus super-wide-angle vintage lens in high-end build quality with an 'Amber (single-layer) coating' ('spectra coated' according to Canon's 1967 lens brochure). Great pleasure to use. An exceptional 1960s Canon lens. Discontinued 1970. Short review by LENS-DB.COM: https://lens-db.com/canon-fl-19mm-f35-r-1965/).
[Saturday 4 September 2021 (No. 60/RAF)].
© Keld Mikkelsen