Started building this set in 2017 and recently completed it with a 28mm f2, which was tricky to find a clean version of. Over the years I used them with Sony Alpha bodies for stills and occasionally video.
Love the look these guys produce but they weren’t super ideal on set with film cameras such as the RED Raptor. The FD to RF/ E mount adaptor was fiddly and not having proper gears on the lens for focus meant FF motors would slip. I’ve considered sending them away to be professional rehoused. Lots of places are booked up for years and it costs a decent amount per lens.
Stoked to discover the edmika kits from simmodlens – they’ve figured out how to replace the native FD mount with a custom machined brass EF mount. Making them much more versatile. They also make a machined aluminum focus gear that fits snug and step-up rings for the front to make the filter mounts universal.
I decided to go with the 80mm rings with a 77mm inner thread. A common thread size but maybe not a common outer diameter. I do like how small this keeps the footprint of the lens however. One flaw with this set up is that you cant mount a heavy clip on matte box. The weight is too much for the front element that extends when focusing and could damage the helicoid inside the lens.
De-clicked the aperture and re-greased so they’re feeling smooth.
Custom built a 1510 pelican case with inserts using 2mm EVA foam and corrugated plastic sheets.
