HOT TIP: Canon C-8 Tele 1.4x

[John Jay]

For those looking to extend the range of the FX/Z series, the Canon C-8 Teleconverter 1.4x is hard to beat.

see pic

http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/84/be/d4_1_b.JPG

This will extend your range from 54 to 75mm but is only useable above the 30mm marking on the zoom scale (partial zoom capable)

It was originally made for the Canon 1014XLS sound cine super 8, and thus is 'film glass' quality and is a simple 2 element design with an objective of 100mm and looks impressive on the FX/Z

Filter size is 67mm so you will need a 72-67 step down ring

A big advantage in terms of 1.4x magnification it also has the benefit that at the same reach of the stock FX/Z lens you only need to zoom in 70% and at that setting the widest aperture is F2 - which means you gain a whole stop

I've just bought two and each was less than $50 at your favourite world auction site

Now that I've made this public the price may go up - sorry about that but I guess that's life

[Joel Corral]

great tip. how's the image quality? have you used it yet? also have you found any other teleconverters that can work?

[John Jay]

heres a frame grab (tiff)

http://s24.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1...Y03VDHDEPYC3LP

[Sean M Lee]

John,
Are there any compromises since the filter is a 67 and you're using a step down to make it work.

[Sean M Lee]

I'm concerned about the red and green shifting going on in the image. Here is a jpg showing my concerns.

The bird looks pretty good though.

JPG Version

[John Jay]

the converter works exactly like on the Canon 1014XLS - over 30mm and youre fine

the fringing - yes - check Matteo Ricchetti's posts on this

high contrast edges tend to bleed on the FX/Z - the cure is out there :)

[Joel Corral]

i just bought one off of ebay and it came in today. good advice, this lens looks real solid. the outter rim is 100mm? is there a hood out there for this? can't wait to use it. i feel like i got a good deal. 1.4x canon C-8 for 60 bucks or century 1.6x @ 1000 bucks. hmm......

i am sure that the century lens is a little better but not $940.00 better.


thanks

joel

[Chris Brook]

Just wondering would the same apply to the 1.6x teleconverters ?
I know $60 isn't a huge amount, but if it's wrong it's $60 wasted as these seem to be the only ones available at the moment.

[Joel Corral]

i thiunk the 1.6x converters are 48mm rear threads. so don't even try it.

joel

[John Jay]

Hey Joel,

welcome to the 75mm HDV club !

A further tip is that Ive just acquired a Sigma VT5 5x (52mm threads solid construction 9 elements and roof prism and multicoated) and I am waiting for some step rings to test it - first impression is that it looks good at the top 25% of the zoom - and thats a whopping 270mm!! (~2000mm 35mm camera equivalent)

http://i1.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/c3/99/13_1_b.JPG


I will post some pix when the rings arrive

Chris, the 1.6x will work but only at about 20% of the top end of the zoom, but if you can find the step rings (48mm is an old size) go for it - the 1.6x has four spectra coated elements. They are quite a bit cheaper ($10-20) which is amazing vfm for film glass.

[Joel Corral]

yes,

please let me know know how that turns out. people are probably thinking that we are stupid trying out these lenes.


joel

[Joel Corral]

also john,

how much did you pay for that lens? and is that 20 years old like the canon C-8?


thanks

joel

[John Jay]

I got the Sigma VT5 in the UK but translates to about $35 plus s/h in mint condition - yes its a golden oldie from the mid 80s

I am waiting on a 67-52 step to try it properly - let you know soon

[Chris Jothi]

What effect will all these thread conversions make? With the lens being further away from the camera lens won't there be some serious barrel distortion?

I am still very curious as to how all this pans out!

[Joel Corral]

great! can't wait to see. please don't forget.

if you need ftp to post pictures let me know i got a ton of space and bandwidth.


j