Canon FD 20mm f2.8 Sample Pictures

When I bought my NEX-6 and the Sony E50mm f1.8 OSS lens, I told my wife that would be all the gear I would buy for this year. She eyed me suspiciously and said, "Yeah sure." She knows me too well. I don't have a good track record on keeping my promise when it comes to buying photographic gear. Just one month into the year, I have already bought the Sigma 19mm and 30mm f2.8 lenses, the Canon nFD 50mm f1.2L, and the latest addition, Canon FD 20mm f2.8. I'd better stop here, or I will be in real trouble!

In typical Canon FD built fashion, the FD 20mm f2.8 is well put together and handles smoothly, despite its age. I had the auto focus version of the 20mm f2.8, which I, and many others, do not like much, and I wonder if its design was derived from the FD version. Both have a 72mm filter thread. At least on the NEX-6, the corner sharpness seems a bit better than the EF version, but I could be mistaken, as I used it on the 1.3x sensor before, and the corners weren't very good even stopped down. Overall, I am happy with the FD version on the NEX-6, however, on my very preliminary two day use.

DVP north at night - NEX-6 & Canon FD 20mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Smart - NEX-6 & Canon FD 20mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Streetcar turning. Shot through windshell - NEX-6 & Canon FD 20mm f2.8. Click for larger.

The yellow building - NEX-6 & Canon FD 20mm f2.8. 

Canon nFD 50mm f1.2L Samples

The Canon New FD (nFD) mount 50mm f1.2L is slightly larger and heavier than the normal, non-L, nFD 50mm f1.2 (see picture below). It's very well built and you know and feel the quality workmanship by holding it in your hand. I shot a few pictures with it this morning and I am quite satisfied with it. Not really a huge difference between this and the non-L nFD 50mm f1.2; if there is, you would have to pixel peek to death to find it. I promise, if I find the time and will myself to the task, I will do a comparison of the two lenses.

Three brothers - nFD 50mm f1.2L [left], nFD 50mm f1.2 [middle], and nFD 50mm f1.4 [right]

Size comparison. Click for larger

Crossing. shot through windshell - NEX-6 & Canon nFD 50mm f1.2L @ f1.4. Click for larger 

Streetcar - NEX-6 & Canon nFD 50mm f1.2L @ f1.4

A Small Annoyance with the Sony 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS Lens

One annoyance with the 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens that came with my NEX-6, is that after it wakes up from sleep, it does not remember what zoom position the lens was in, and resets to 16mm.  I find this very disappointing.  The aperture is retained, but not the zoom position.  I am sure this little issue can be easily remedied with a firmware update, but probably not many people will find it as annoying as I do, so the chance of it fixed in firmware is pretty slim.

Streetcar on Spadina - NEX-6 & 16-50mm f3.5-5.6. Some cropping. Click for larger.

Zoomar Kilfitt Makro Kilar 90mm f2.8 - A Set of Pictures

The Kilfitt Makro Kilar 90mm f2.8 is one of those lenses that while not used often, but is the lens I would grab when I want to shoot some macro pictures, or pictures in the portrait focal length.  Sure, the Contax Carl Zeiss S-Planar 60mm f2.8 Makro is sharp as a blade, and I also like it lots, but it doesn't have quite the same kind of characteristics that I find attractive with the Kilfitt 90mm f2.8 Makro.

Butterfly - NEX-5N & Zoomar Kilfitt Makro Kilar 90mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Cyclist - NEX-5N & Zoomar Kilfitt Makro Kilar 90mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Streetcar - NEX-5N & Zoomar Kilfitt Makro Kilar 90mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Sunflower - NEX-5N & Zoomar Kilfitt Makro Kilar 90mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Streetcar in the Evening Sun

Streetcar -- NEX-5N & Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 200mm f2.8 (M42)

The sunset today was spectacular.  I love this kind of lighting in the evening where everything basks in a layer of warm golden ray.  But it's difficult to photograph because the dynamic range is huge.

The Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 200mm f2.8 has been neglected for a long time.  Used it very sparingly, like 3 or 4 times in the last few years.  For one thing, it's not easy hand holding a big lens like this and get sharp pictures without tripod.  On the NEX-5, it's equivalent to a 300mm f2.8 lens in terms of angle of view, making it very difficult to focus.  But, it's a nice lens with beautiful bokeh.

Why We Are Not Getting What We Want

EOSHD has a very nice article on camera manufacturers moving away from real camera enthusiasts and cater to the masses who don't care much about real cameras.  I agree with everything the article says, and it's truly sad where the market is heading.

Nikon is rumored to have a 36MP D800 coming very soon.  Think about it.  Couple of years ago, lower end medium format digital backs were at this resolution.  What is the real percentage of photographer who actually NEED this kind of resolution?  The rest just wanted a camera that can show off the fact that they have the highest resolution 35mm digital SRL in the world (at the moment, because Canon/Sony won't be far behind.  We can count on it).

Another case in point is the 24MP Sony sensor used in the A77/A65/NEX-7.  I am sure more people will buy the NEX-7 if the sensor is the excellent 16MP one used in the NEX-5N, especially if at a lower price point.  Alas, camera makers yield to their marketing department, instead of making sensible, balanced, affordable camera equipment that real camera enthusiasts want.  Instead of gitapixels sensors, why not an excellent 16MP full frame sensor that have good dynamic range, excellent colour depth, clean high ISO?  With today's technology, it's so easy to accomplish.

I know I sound like I am beating a dead horse, but perhaps, if more of us complain and let the manufacturers know, there is a chance, however minute, that they would listen.  So, let our voices be heard!

Colourful Streetcar -- NEX-5N & Canon FD 35mm f2.