KOMODO + Canon FD or Contax Zeiss + Focal Reducer ?

[Ivan K. Maras]

I'm planning on building a Canon FD or Contax Zeiss C/Y set (I read the Contax Survival Guide, thank you Nick Morrison!!!) to use on my Komodo. I prefer the C/Ys but since I already own 3 FDs (cheap ones: 28 2.8, 50 1.8 and 135 2.8), I'm leaning towards the latter, although still undecided. So my Qs are:

1. Which FDs and C/Ys can be adapted to a focal reducer (preferably Canons EF-RF 0.71x)? Which lenses work, which won't (focus to infinity)?

2. Should I mod the mounts to EF or in case of the FDs: not mod them at all since there's a Metabones FD to RF 0,71x?

Knowing this could better inform my decision.

I mainly shoot fictional and documentary work and want to add a set of character lenses to my cleaner ones. Plus the ability to use a focal reducer would be a big plus for me.
What would you do and why?

Thanks for any insights!

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Most lenses work with the respective Metabones SpeedBooster. Of course Contax are much easier to use with adapters or Leitax mounts
and in the rare cases it doesn't mount it's usually because of rear pins which can be removed or shaved off, same as Leica Rs and Olympus OMs for example.

Canon FDs are usually trickier but you can convert these permanently to EF Mount using EdMika/Simmod mounts, or just buy the aforementioned Metabones Canon FD to RF SpeedBooster,
but given the low value of your FDs I'm not sure it's worth it...

Lastly...honestly I think you could re-consider not using a Focal Reducer at all...Komodo is salready larger than S35/APS-C so a FR could lead to VERY funky corners on some lenses,
I think that at 6K you could potentially go out of the FF Image Circle and also with the slight crop of Komodo you would use the best part of the lenses if using natively, while still keeping an advantage over S35/APS-C.

Shameless plug: I'm about to sell all my lenses including my Contax Set and some Canon FDs, PM me if interested, I'm in EU but I can ship WW with UPS.

 

[Ivan K. Maras]

Thanks Tommaso! Gonna PM you.
Regarding the focal reducer: it would be more of an addition for low light situations when operating alone or shooting at night.
Am just not sure which lenses are compatible. Heard some of the FDs (and potentially Contax ones?) would touch the reducers' element. Curious wether someone knows which ones.

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

If you really need to see in the dark 1 stop will not make a real difference so you may have better luck choosing a different camera for that particular scene/shoot.

For compatibility check the list on Metabones website, they have a table and notes about which lenses are incompatibile ;-)

 

[Ivan K. Maras]

Ah cool, will check that out, thanks!
I'm aware the camera needs light ofc Shot enough in low light already and was happy with the results. It's a great camera. Just want to be flexible IF I need a stop more. A Speedbooster can help with that. It's not a must have but nice to have if needed.

 

[Leo Popp]

Hey there,
I'm using this combo, Komodo + Canon FD, quite often. I got a set fully modded by simmod with the EF mount.
I've got the following lenses:

24mm f2.8 S.S.C.
35mm f2 S.S.C.
55mm f1.2 ASPH. S.S.C.
85mm f1,2 ASPH. S.S.C.

Except for the 24mm lens, every other lens works with the Canon EF-RF x0.71 adapter. Since the rear element of the 24mm lens protrudes too far back it hits the focal reducers glass at around 1.5m /5feet.

At my latest shoot whit this combo I only used the 24mm for closeups below 1.5m focus distance.

 

[Ivan K. Maras]

Hey there,
I'm using this combo, Komodo + Canon FD, quite often. I got a set fully modded by simmod with the EF mount.
I've got the following lenses:

24mm f2.8 S.S.C.
35mm f2 S.S.C.
55mm f1.2 ASPH. S.S.C.
85mm f1,2 ASPH. S.S.C.

Except for the 24mm lens, every other lens works with the Canon EF-RF x0.71 adapter. Since the rear element of the 24mm lens protrudes too far back it hits the focal reducers glass at around 1.5m /5feet.

At my latest shoot whit this combo I only used the 24mm for closeups below 1.5m focus distance.

Thank you Leo! I recently added the 55 f1.2 and maybe the 35 f2 will be next. Good to know they work with the focal reducer.

 

[Thomas Gavin Murray]

A lot of the zeiss contax primes have metal tabs that stick out the back of the C/Y mount, I'd be wary using them with just the EF adapter and a focal reducer. Since those tabs are for manual C/Y cameras, you could shave them off (or have duclos or someone else do it for you) in order to use with the focal reducer.

 

[Rick Cook]

The Metabones Speedboosters have a set screw on the side that lets you rotate and set the position of the rear element. It's similar to a back focus adjustment. That will allow you to create enough clearance to use Modded FD's. The Canon Focal Reducer is not adjustable and therefor not compatible with most of the FD lens lineup.