The SIMPLE way to mod your vintage lenses for cinema

Sadly, the Simmod EF conversion kits are 195€ here in Germany with shipping times of 25-60 (!) days. Too expensive and taking too long for the purpose... I'm gonna continue using my native EF lenses...

Do you de-click the aperture?

thank you mannnnn I have been looking to rehouse my lenses and this is so cost effective

Would you really use a modified stills lens on a professional set with a focus puller, where time and accuracy is incredibly important?

$350 for the lens. $200 for the mount. $60 for the cap. $60 for the gears. $60 for the 80mm ring. Shipping costs. 

May as well buy a Meike at the price. Or get the cheaper versions of those things at better places than Simmod and enjoy those Canons.

The FD lenses on an MFT mount camera with an FD focal reducer/adapter is how I would modify them for the use I want, but if I were using them on an EF mount the mod is the way to go.

I went mad on eBay this weekend. My first camera (32 years ago) was a Canon AE-1 with a 50mm F/1.4 and a 28mm F/2.8 FD. Still have those. So I now have added (ordered) a 20mm F/2.8, 24mm F/1.4, 35mm F/2, 55mm F/1.2, 85mm F/1.8 and 100mm F/2.8 .. all S.S.C. lenses .. and I kept it under 2k.

Does this conversion kit have any issues with loosing either end of your focal length? I've heard thats a common issue with converting from fd to ef

Hi friend, I have 2 problems here.
I bought a Simmod (LAC) converter kit for canon Fd 20-35mm
and the diaphragm ring is locked. Am I doing something wrong or would I need to have bought the DCG version that comes with the diaphragm ring or not?

And then I bought the complete simmod kit for the FD SSC, it's been 26 working days and they still haven't sent me :(

congratulations on the channel

Did you ever have any issues using a tilta or smallrig mini matte with these lens since they move with focusing? I'd hate to give up the functionality of being able to mix circular and square matte box filters.

Are these all SSC?

great video!
Tell , me please how can I convert my EF lenses on FD camera?

What lens do you recommend for filming short films and tv series? I shoot on the pocket 6k and have a tv pilot coming up that I’m the dp on and want a better lens than my rokinon cine ds 35mm. Any recommendations?

My experience with these lens: Only issue is that when you pull focus the lens moves back and forth. That forces you to use a clip on matte box, then next thing you know your follow focus gear tend to slip off because of the extra weight… A donut might help.

Great!! Where can I find to download or purchase the 3d FD to EF Mount?

Sweet setup Spenser. Love the cap design, matches your background.

Anybody else think the Simmod rings/gears are just WAY over priced for 3D printed plastic...? I found some other brand on amazon for 17.00 'sh and they are slightly softer and I like them a lot.

The focus hunting was horrendous. You need to hurry up and actually use the lenses you just modded. Lol P

Do you use an adapter? If so, do you get any additional undesired flares? I am using k&f koncept and I get a light circle in the middle of an image (not a beautiful flare).

hey man i just wnted to let u know that u have alot of pink noise

it is alot better then 2 months ago but its still there

I’d recognize a Jim Cummings interview anywhere.

The question for me is where do I get these vintage lenses

LPT: if $55 for a gear ring is too steep, Smallrig and Tilta make rubber gear rings designed for different lens diameters and they cost $2.

That's not a typo. $2. Put one on my 85mm Rokinon, fits and works perfectly.

Absolutely love this video, thank you so much. Your excitement for this kind of thing gets me excited as well. I’ve been looking to complete my kit - will definitely be going this route!

Wondering which matte box works with a 80mm OD?

I love your content Spenser, I now have a set of my own canon FD lenses. Your older video about vintage lenses is what made me get them and I love using them so much. I’ve taken the Sinmod route as well it feel to good to be true. Keep making content you taught me a lot, thank you!

Nice video. Bee tee dubs… is that a “beat clock” for outlining a script/story on your back wall? I saw “need” and “cost” quite clearly which are character/story beat terms. Pretty cool if it is.

Any word on when these Simmod kits will be available again? I totally want to copy what you’ve done.

Love your content as always! I have been waiting for FD to EF conversion kit from Simmod, but I haven't seen it on their website. Does anyone have any idea where to find it or is it not ready to order?

Just picked up some Simmod lens mods for my Leica r’s! So stoked to see your set! Love the blade runner inspired magenta and the original canon font on the custom caps 🤙🏼 I’m excited to get these full metal mods in

That's cool, but i'll keep them as fd to keep every lens doing double duty. That's the beauty of these lenses on m43. I use super 35 at work for the big days, but only sparingly. So, my lens set is 3 prime lenses for 6 focal lengths. I still love the other stuff, though.

Where did u get those lens caps? They look so cool

I 3D printed a cine housing for my Canon S.S.C. 50mm f1.4. I'm in love with modding vintage lenses for cinema. I don't mean just gear rings, I mean a full housing.

2nd