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Thankyou @majorkong7388, appreciate your feedback! More videos to come, hopefully they wont take as long to research and produce (the Kilfitt review was some 6 months in the making).

Many thanks @w0lfyovi294, very much appreciated. I was a little concerned it might have been too much information, however I wanted to make sure I covered everything off. Notably, having discovered that quite a bit of the information floating about online pertaining to the Kilfitt lenses is inaccurate (or close but not quite right) it's an opportunity to provide an update that hopefully will be useful for those wanting to know more.

@@durlacher3524 I absolutely love the background story and details, especially about the optical engineers making these lenses and the physics around it. You are doing what I dreamt of doing for many years (but I have other priorities and interests now). I started looking for some of these lenses to buy because they are so unique and interesting.

Hi Spectralcav, many thanks for your comment and noted on the Edina branded lens, quite the rarity! With regards to the close focus distance, it seems to be specific to the Kilfitt Makro lenses. The reality being that the 5cm close focus distance quoted for type D lenses ends up being around 20cm from the film or sensor plane when the lens length and flange focal distance is added - still pretty remarkable for 1955!

Hi @Snikkelbek, greatly appreciate your comment. A lot of time and research went into this knowing it would be of interest to a rather small yet discerning viewership, The positive feedback is encouragement to continue making more reviews.

Many thanks for commenting, very much appreciated.

Hi Peter, my apologies for the belated reply and my sincere appreciation for your positive feedback - words of encouragement. Delighted to note the information was useful for your needs, and hoping the intended application resolved your bookshelf distortion problems. Once you've used the shift functionality it's very difficult to go back normal primes. Noted on the 6x7 options, I had looked into these originally but the focal lengths were too restrictive. The 645 lenses are a delight to use - I've been using the SMC Pentax-FA 645 120mm F4 MACRO fo close ups on my next video project and the image resolving is superb - it just looks better! Although the extra weight on the fotodiox adapter keeps me slightly on edge. More shift reviews to follow!

Many thanks for your positive feedback, very much appreciated. The 645 33-55 and 35mm lenses are awaiting their turn for review - I have high expectation for the 35mm. Not sure on timing, I keep getting distracted acquiring new lenses, but will get there eventually.

Many thanks for your kind comment, very much appreciated. More episodes to follow - couldn’t agree more, it’s a very interesting brand.

Many thanks for the positive feedback, words of encouragement. Quite a number of shift lenses still to review, will get cracking on the next video.

​@@durlacher3524Thanks. See you next time. Best.

Hi John, on my list - following planned reviews of the Topcor 25mm and 35mm lenses (the 25mm is a beautiful lens and on initial review appears to be an excellent performer). More videos to follow. The 50mm 1.4 is meant to be exceptionally sharp.

Totally agree. These lenses are gems. Never confuse them with the cheaper UV Topcor.@@durlacher3524

It must be available again , i just bought one, Pentax 645/Canon R8 £230 with postage to the UK but another £50 in duty

asking again - Would you know if the 20mm f4 exists in black paint? I have yet to run across one. Thanks!

Many thanks for your message, the 35mm PC is on hand awaiting it’s turn for review. Expectations are low, stay tuned for an update. Of interest I’m currently testing a Nikon AI lens that as adapted provides a 28mm-49mm zoom range with PC functionality. A little bulky but performance is thus far impressive.

Wow I’m curious about this zoom lens, but cannot find info on this one. Do you mind giving the specs?

Fantastic, and it’s noteworthy that good copies do come up from time to time outside the normal channels. It’s a little saddening to say, but I think what increase in supply that may eventuate will likely be from former owners passing away. The black versions do look great.

@durlacher3524 I was at the right place at the right time, it came with the camera, lens caps, polarising filter, reverse fitting which allows me to shoot it 'the wrong way around' and extension tubes. It's in super condition, I have put zip ties around the rubber focusing grip because it us a little loose, but that's it. I use it a great deal. 👍

Many thanks for your message and acknowledgement, yes it took a lot of work to put this one together. Noted on the Kilfitt - you are absolutely right, predates the Topcor by 8 years. This was one area of the claims I found difficult to confirm absolutely, Google was no help and a call out to Nikon and Canon forums returned results of speculation only. As such, I felt it necessary to preface the statement as ‘believed to be the first of its type’ knowing that at some point someone with greater knowledge will correct me. I greatly appreciate your input. I wasn’t familiar with the Kilfitt Makro before you comment, interesting to note the design has visual elements in common with the Topcor - could it have served as design inspiration? You’ve sparked my curiosity.

@@durlacher3524 No worries. I hesitate to post 'corrections' as they always seem like nitpicking or critism and are often taken as such ;-) Maybe the Kilfitt also wasn't the first! There are certainly some aesthetic similarities in style between the Kilfitt and the Topcor, maybe just coincidental. The grips on the Kilfitt lenses are also often missing or heavily degraded. Overall, the Topcor certainly has a more premium feel. Kilfitt is an interesting company that took their own path and created some unique lenses.

Many thanks, greatly appreciate your acknowledgement. Yes, a lot of time and effort. Undoubtedly targeting a very narrow viewership, but for those interested, I hope it’s of value.

Apologies for the belated reply and many thanks for your positive feedback. Shift lens functionality is ideal for architectural applications, however if you’re using the XT3 you’ll need to factor in a crop factor for the lens angle of view equivalent. 45mm is already tight for most architectural applications, on an APSC sensor it’s going to be closer to 68mm - closer to a portrait lens! The 33-55 is better, but still not very wide when used on APSC. Ideally a 16mm lens as a starting point is needed (24mm equivalent) but they simply don’t exist in 645 format - unless you count fisheye lenses. I may have another solution for you that I’m working on, a shift zoom option for 35mm format lenses that will open up a huge variety of lens possibilities - if it works! Stay tuned, video coming up.

@@durlacher3524 Thanks for the comment. I order and tested the 33-55 with the Fotodiox convertor and returned both of them immediately as there image quality was very poor. I'm not sure the best way to describe it, but there was an effect similar to diffraction on the highlights of the image, giving it a blue tint. I have instead opted to pair the Canon TSE 24mm with a Fringer smart convertor. This will arrive tomorrow and I will let you know the result.

@@AndrewODriscoll-x5c Very sorry to hear the 33-55 didn't work out, I have yet to test this lens setup. Quality is reported not being as good as the 45-85mm, however the problems you experienced are of a concern. That being said, where you've ended up (despite the inconvenience of having to return lenses) is probably the best outcome. The Canon TSE-24mm II is a great performer and the focal length is much better suited for architectural appliactions. I haven't used the fringer adapters and would be very interested to hear how it performs.

@@durlacher3524 Yes I have heard several places that both the 645 prime lens and the longer focal length zoom are much better than the 33-55 but thought I'd see for myself. I am still in the market for a longer focal length as I find I often have good use for my 50mm lens whilst photographing exterior details and larger interior spaces. That being said I will see how the 24mm set up performs before investing anything more. I will let you know how I get on with the Fringer adaptor as soon as I test it

Thank you @durlacher3524 for the review ! @@AndrewODriscoll-x5c Hi ! I'm currently in the same situation of yours. I'm looking for the best shifting solution for a Fuji X-H2 and thinking about the Canon 24mm TSE + Fringer adapter. After using it for a few months, would you say it's a good setup ? Thanks in advance for your help !

Many thanks and delighted to have been of inspiration. I hope you’re enjoying the lens combination. Yes, the adapter has its limitations, but In careful use the results can be fantastic. Just posted the latest video which took longer than anticipated, next few should be a bit quicker on the turnaround.