Birger Canon Lens Database

[Joe Vinson]

Thought I'd go ahead and start it. Post your results below for different Canon lenses on the Birger mount, and I'll update this top post with the list. "Aperture" refers to ability to change f-stop with mount buttons. "Focus" for now (until we get knobs) refers to automatic calibration via the center button. Note that lenses may gain functionality in the future through firmware upgrades. You can also give your opinions about breathing performance, holding focus (for zooms), or other notes.

Maybe we can get this thread stickified? Also, is there any way to enable [table] BBCode?

Primes:

• Canon EF L USM 24mm f/1.4
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF L USM 35mm f/1.4
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF L USM 50mm f/1.2
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF USM 50mm f/1.4
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF L II USM 85mm f/1.2
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  Notes: manual focus does not work (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF L USM 135mm f/2.0
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF L USM 200mm f/2.8
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)

Macros:

• Canon MP-E 1-5x Macro 65mm f/2.8
  aperture OK
  Notes: no focusing ring (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
  aperture OK, focus OK (AKABAKA)
  Notes: breathing is considerable (AKABAKA)
  
• Canon EF L USM Macro 180mm f/3.5
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)

Zooms:

• Tokina AT-X Pro 11-16mm f/2.8
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF L II USM 16-35mm f/2.8
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF L USM 24-70mm f/2.8
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  Notes: breathing is minimal; does not hold focus in zoom (AKABAKA)
  
• Canon EF L IS USM 70-200mm f/2.8
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  Notes: breathing is considerable; does not hold focus in zoom (AKABAKA)
  
• Canon EF-S USM 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF-S IS USM 17-55mm f/2.8
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)
  
• Canon EF DO IS USM 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6
  aperture OK, focus OK (Alexander Christ)

[Peter Majtan]

Since when the MP-E 65 has no focusing ring? This has got to be a typo... :)

[Frank Weeks]

Canon EF L II USM 85mm f/1.2
aperture OK, focus TBD (Alexander Christ)

FWIW I hope you are right about the aperture control, but to be clear, I had none during my test.

[Harrison Diamond]

Since when the MP-E 65 has no focusing ring? This has got to be a typo... :)

I'm pretty sure the ring just changes the magnification from 1x up to 5x. Focusing should be done with a focusing rail.

[A. Bastaki]

it has a static focus distance. You cant alter focus, just magnificaion, and when the lens magnifies you have to move back to compensate for the extra length that got out.

I'm talking about the MP-E 65mm

[Alexander Christ]

MP-E 65mm: as Akube and Harrison said.

FWIW I hope you are right about the aperture control, but to be clear, I had none during my test.

I hope too :) I will check again, no Birger here right now, but next week!

[Jason Osterday]

How does the 60mm Macro compare to the 65 macro? With the addition of focus ring (and lower price), the 60 seems like a better choice.

[Nils J. Nesse]

The MP-E 65 is a special application lens for extreme macro, from 1:1 to 5:1 magnification. It's a great lens for people who need it. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re.../mp-e-65.shtml

The 60mm macro does max 1:1 magnification. (Which is plenty for most applications.) It can also focus on normal distances, so you can use it as a regular short tele, for non-macro work. Unless you have a special need for >1:1 macro, this is probably the more useful lens.

[Alexander Christ]

Tested the EF 85mm II f/1.2 again: adjusting aperture works, focus calibration works and manual focus does not work.

[Sanjin Jukic]

Tested the EF 85mm II f/1.2 again: adjusting aperture works, focus calibration works and manual focus does not work.

Not a good news.