Modern Cats, Vintage Glass is a series of videos featuring random moments the daily lives of our cats Buddy, Puss, and Cheebo. Each video uses just one vintage lens from my collection.
Episode 3 features one of the OGs of FDs! The "chrome nose" Canon FD 55mm f/1.2. They're not exactly cheap these days, but if you can find one in good condition they're wonderful to work with and should appreciate in value. Slightly soft wide open at 1.2, my version sharpens up quickly at f/2. The highlight falloff and bokeh rendering on these lens is absolutely marvelous. I don't know of any other lens that renders detail so well while never looking overly-sharp. Be warned though, this lens is heavy and, on my copy, the focus ring gives more resistance than I'd like.
If you're building a set of FD lenses for video or photo use, the 55mm f/1.2 is a great place to start.
As always, when buying in person, it's important to examine the glass elements carefully and ensure that the aperture and focus rings work as they should. When I buy online I only buy from sellers with 500+ sales and a 98% or better satisfaction rating.
All footage in this video was shot on the Sony A7IV
Log Profile: S-Log3/S-Gamut3.Cine
Frame Rate: 23.987 fps (unless noted)
Shutter: 1/50 (1/125 for higher frame rates)
My Neutral Density Filter of choice is the Moment 2-5 Stop Variable ND: www.shopmoment...
Featured in this video:
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Search ebay for the Canon FD 55mm f/1.2: www.ebay.com/s...
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