General MF lens discussion

I recently picked up a Nikkor 85/1.8-H beater of a lens...but it takes fine pix...so if you see an oldie with dust and specks of inside, don't immediately reject it...it might just be fine...

Here's what it looks like inside...(the outside isn't much better)...

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

Hell if you don't want it I'll take it

MB...sorry but I think I'll keep it for now...(if I find a replacement, you know, pristine looking, I'll let you know)
...this lens seems to lock on the point of focus (or I'm easily spotting it) more easily than most MF lenses I've used so I can recommend it to anyone looking for this FL...

my pentax 55 is that way. It's either in focus 100% or it's not. Makes it really easy to MF, but I am still getting a split focus viewfinder.

I recently got a Carl Zeiss Tessar 80/2.8. Since it is old and stiff, I unscrewed a few screws and tried to see what's inside. After I put the parts back, somehow it seems that the focus is not right. When I see from viewfinder that it's in focus, the real focus in the picture turns out to be a bit farther or closer. I'm not sure if this is only because I'm not good at manual focus or I did something wrong in the assembling. Actually now I notice that there are several ways to fix two certain screws. Maybe I got the wrong one? Is there any suggestion?

About 3 months ago I bought an FD50 f1.2L & an FD85 f1.2L on Ebay. Both in absolute mint condition. I removed the FD mounts & replaced them with EF mounts with chips that tell the camera the FL of the lens, max aperture, micro-focus adjustment & focus confirm. I use them on my 1D4 & the image quality is superb. I bought the Ec-S focusing screen which is better for manual focus.
You can see some photos of the conversion process here:
for the 50L http://****/abKh5N
for the 85L http://****/c0vE6W

colormaniac wrote in post #10839736
I recently got a Carl Zeiss Tessar 80/2.8. Since it is old and stiff, I unscrewed a few screws and tried to see what's inside. After I put the parts back, somehow it seems that the focus is not right. When I see from viewfinder that it's in focus, the real focus in the picture turns out to be a bit farther or closer. I'm not sure if this is only because I'm not good at manual focus or I did something wrong in the assembling. Actually now I notice that there are several ways to fix two certain screws. Maybe I got the wrong one? Is there any suggestion?

Have a look here. http://oomz.net/tessar​/ The reference you want to read is about adjusting focus at both ends, is towards the end of this article.
I know this is for a 50mm, and you have an 80mm, but I'm betting they will be similar in build. I hope you can find something there to help.
-Bruce

rossbeckernz wrote in post #10839829
About 3 months ago I bought an FD50 f1.2L & an FD85 f1.2L on Ebay. Both in absolute mint condition. I removed the FD mounts & replaced them with EF mounts with chips that tell the camera the FL of the lens, max aperture, micro-focus adjustment & focus confirm. I use them on my 1D4 & the image quality is superb. I bought the Ec-S focusing screen which is better for manual focus.
You can see some photos of the conversion process here:
for the 50L http://****/abKh5N
for the 85L http://****/c0vE6W

I didn't think you could convert FD lenses to EF cameras without a glass adapter...awesome!

Do they focus to inifnity ?

I have another question. I've tried two EXA adatpers and one M42. All of them, as well as any other you find on eBay, claim to be able to focus to infinity. But they do not actually. Is there something I missed?

Ballen Photo wrote in post #10840737
Have a look here. http://oomz.net/tessar​/ The reference you want to read is about adjusting focus at both ends, is towards the end of this article.
I know this is for a 50mm, and you have an 80mm, but I'm betting they will be similar in build. I hope you can find something there to help.
-Bruce

Thanks, Bruce! I'll look at that.

colormaniac wrote in post #10842807
I have another question. I've tried two EXA adatpers and one M42. All of them, as well as any other you find on eBay, claim to be able to focus to infinity. But they do not actually. Is there something I missed?

That's funky...I've used a few M42 adapters and never had a problem (until I went to a FF camera and the wider lenses started hitting the mirror). Which m42 lenses are you using?

bohdank wrote in post #10842727
Do they focus to inifnity ?

If you remove the FD mount then yes, they can focus to infinity. You can't do this with retrofocus wide angle lenses that have protruding rear elements which may not clear the mirror of full frame bodies and even the 55mm f/1.2 can have a problem but most normal and telephoto lenses work fine.

The usual problem is with adapters since it adds to the needed backfocus distance when you need to shorten it instead for EF.

cptrios wrote in post #10843030
That's funky...I've used a few M42 adapters and never had a problem (until I went to a FF camera and the wider lenses started hitting the mirror). Which m42 lenses are you using?

I use an M42 adapter on Helios 44-M, an EXA adapter on Carl Zeiss Tessar 80/2.8, and another EXA adapter on Pentacon 135/2.8. None of them can focus to infinity. When in the viewfinder I saw that it's clear, the pictures turned out to be blurry.

Oh, is it because they all have AF-confirm feature?

My M42 adapter also focuses fine to infinity. There should be lots of room.