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Post by bobs on Jul 27, 2020 15:09:35 GMT
In my attempts to recommission a T2 mount lens from my old A-1 days, I've got it working on a EOS DSLR with the AF working fine via a Dandelion-chipped converter.
However, it can't be programmed with the DIGIC 7 on my EOS, and I reckon it needs a DIGIC 4 or earlier EF Mount camera to program it.
This doesn't affect the function, just reports the correct lens info to the EXIF file (and who knows what else), so its something I'd like to achieve if anyone can help.
It takes about 20 minutes (if I get it right, probably less) and there may even be a pint in it (depending on the selected venue!) for anyone that can help - especially now the pubs are open.
Any help out there would be welcome.
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Post by bobs on Oct 6, 2021 16:51:37 GMT
Some 20 minutes, that! Time for un update, methinks... Well, Alasdair loaned me a 400D, which, after considerable p**sing about, revealed no further joy. Further research required was the deduction. This revealed that (contrary to another source, more later) that this adaptor was what is referred to as a 'Gen-3'. I only deduced that by examination and comparison of the contacts on the Dandelion Chip. A 'Gen-2' was what was required. So a 'Gen-2' was acquired. This one wouldn't do diddly-squat. wouldn't AF signal, wouldn't program, about as much use as the proverbial cocoa-based flame protector. The chip was poorly attached, and probably not in the right position, and trying to position it without a jig is in the realms of, 'there must be another way'. Not to say I may try to create a jig sometime in the future… Research again, this has, eventually resulted in success! I now have a T2-mount 500m f/8 lens that does produce an AF response, produces the magic 'beep' and reports back to the camera that it's f/8. Note that focus is still decidedly trick with an effective 800mm lens (500mm x 1.6 crop factor) I also suspect that it's really an f/8.8 as it needs a 1/3 stop under exposure (equal to f/9). So now the more salient details. The Dandelion Chip is a Russian device by Victor Lushnikov (http://filmprocess.ru) where he describes it fully. There is no mention of a 'Gen-3' here. You can buy the chip, and/or adaptors direct from him, and program it yourself according to the instructions. This bit was where it was all going wrong, getting it from Amazon and ending up with Pixco adaptors (Chinese). Note that the first 'Gen-3' adaptor was reasonable quality, but was obviously nobbled by the Chinese not to program; the second, 'Gen-2' was poorer quality, did not have a positive mount to the camera and was basically inferior as described earlier. If you read Lushnikov's account of the history, you'll see where the problems are. I found, by chance, on eBay (not somewhere I'm inclined to go much, I admit), a guy called Andrey Kuryanova (http://stores.ebay.com/andreykuryanov), which it turned out is credited on the filmprocess.ru site at filmprocess.ru/oduvanchik/ukr.htm. So I got one from him. This one worked. And what's more, there is a dialogue (via eBay) to sort out any issues/requirements/clarifications - no problems there. Andrey not only knows what he's doing, understands the chip, but also programs it for you. What is more, he videos the programming and send you the link to the video, thus confirming what he's done and the end function. You don't get that on Amazon, do you? Also, the quality is far better: positive mount, nice finish, feels decent in the hand, just nice. Packed nicely, with pretty Ukrainian stamps, and tracked by eBay all across Europe, though Customs, and then disappears when Royal Mail have it, until it turns up in the letterbox! So now I've got that sorted, just need the opportunity to use it, and find out how to handle a non-AF 800mm lens without camera shake - I can see advice from Darren on monopod use coming on the horizon! I wonder if it's worth looking at an FD to EF adaptor? I'm doubtful, since to do this and focus on infinity, the adaptor needs a compensating lens, to correct the Flange to Focal Plane Distance from 42mm on the FD to 42mm on the EF. They work fine in Macro, without the additional lens. You need a good quality supplementary lens for this, but since the FD lenses had more lead in them, the lens quality is better than EF lenses (FL may be different) so the difference may be negligible, but who knows what the quality is like? I also have suspicions that it could further change the crop factor, which may make it all a waste of time. On the other hand, I could always pay £129 and have them converted in Scotland to EF and it would just work like an FD always did. I may just ask Andrey about the compensating lens, he seems trustworthy, and is a Canon user! Ah-h-h-h, Retro! |
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