FD to EOS adapter

[hkelsey]

Has anyone used a FD to EOS adapter on a Canon 10D? I have the FD 135 mm f2 (should have been an L lens) and would sure like to use it on the 10D, as well as the 50mm f1.4. I have seen the adapters on eBay but do they work OK?

[maderito]

I don't have direct experience but I've seen this issue discussed several times. Try for starters:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-manual-lenses/#canonfd

I think many of us moved into Canon digital thinking we could bring along former Canon equipment -- only to be disappointed more often than not :(.

[CyberDyneSystems]

There are two types available.

To the best of my knowledge, canon actyually made ine that was merely a adapter ring... no elmnts involved. However as this was in effect a spacr ringer.. it functioned like an "extension tube" and turns all lenses attached to it into modified "MAcro" lenses.. ther is no infinity.. in fact your max focusing distance can be greatly reduced.

However,. there are third party options available on Eaby that do have a corrective element in them. These will allow the lens to behave normally.

As to the quality,. i have no first hand experience. Some seem to like them just fine. I did know one individual who had an FD 800mm Prime! Her whole set-up was FD and she wanted a digital body. She uses a 1D and the 800mm FD with the adapter and seems pleased. At $6,000.00 or more for a comparable lens.. it was a nice solution.

But logic would dictate that it won't be quite the same quality as no adapter,..

In the end,.. if you would be happy with a 135mm manual focus lens on the 10D, than at $50.00-$80.00 the adapter might be worth an experiment.

Of course you understand that any FD lens you use will be fully manual in operation.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Just read maderito's link.. it looks like even with the converters that include the corrective element (Canon DID make one??? ) WON'T work with your lenses :(

The 800mm mt freind has, and most of the longer telephotos are compatible....

[Canuck]

Hi!
I have first hand experience here!
I got an adapeter from B&H and it seems like it will do well, I have only tried it in a 6-10 ft range and handheld doing shots of the moon. I too have a 35-70 and 75-200 FD mount for an inoperative T90. The lenses work, but T90 needs help. The shots up close worked great and suggest it will work fine. As for the moon pics, that's not happening handheld. I should try it on a tripod and get a real result. Until then I can't be sure if it works or not. Another point, don't expece L glass performance, as that is an unrealistic expectation. I will have to get some pics done and see about posting them. The end of the day, you loose the metering ablility and have to set the aperature manually and that is a lot of wild guessing. Hope this helps!

Cheers from England,
Canuck

[hkelsey]

Besides manual focus, I am told that the metering does not work with the adapter. Is this true?

[justme_dc]

hkelsey wrote:
Besides manual focus, I am told that the metering does not work with the adapter. Is this true?

The EOS bodies have no facility for opperating the aperature on an FD lens. You'll have to use "stopped down" metering. Meaning you'll have to focus, manually stop down the lens and then halfway depress the shutter to get a correct meter reading. You'll have to use that meter reading to manually set the shutter speed on the camera. Some people have had success using the Av mode as well as it automatically sets shutter speed off the meter reading. You'll also have to set your meter to centerweighted average to get the best meter results.

I understand your desire to use the older FD glass some of it was amazing. But, it seems a whole lot of effort to get some use out of an older lens. Perhaps the time and effort are not worth the small savings in money you'll get. I sold almost all of my FD lenses when I originally switched to the EOS system back in 1990 and I haven't looked back. Canon makes two 135mm lenses for the EOS system and both are as good if not better than the old FD you have. Just some food for thought.

Good luck to you.

[hkelsey]

justme_dc wrote:
hkelsey wrote:
Besides manual focus, I am told that the metering does not work with the adapter. Is this true?


I understand your desire to use the older FD glass some of it was amazing. But, it seems a whole lot of effort to get some use out of an older lens. Perhaps the time and effort are not worth the small savings in money you'll get. I sold almost all of my FD lenses when I originally switched to the EOS system back in 1990 and I haven't looked back. Canon makes two 135mm lenses for the EOS system and both are as good if not better than the old FD you have. Just some food for thought.

Good luck to you.

I know what you mean. I also know what Christmas present I am going to buy myself.

Regards

[ron chappel]

justme_dc wrote:
hkelsey wrote:
Besides manual focus, I am told that the metering does not work with the adapter. Is this true?

The EOS bodies have no facility for opperating the aperature on an FD lens. You'll have to use "stopped down" metering. Meaning you'll have to focus, manually stop down the lens and then halfway depress the shutter to get a correct meter reading. You'll have to use that meter reading to manually set the shutter speed on the camera. Some people have had success using the Av mode as well as it automatically sets shutter speed off the meter reading. You'll also have to set your meter to centerweighted average to get the best meter results.


Just set the aperture and the camera will set the shutter speed!!
Take a lens off you camera and try it-put the camera in program,press the shutter halfway to meter then move your hand in front of the lensmount.You can see the shutterspeed changing in response to the varying amounts of light.

Genuine canon FD lens to eos converters act as a mild teleconverter and cost WELL OVER US$500.They may not be useable on such a short lens either...not sure.

Forget the cheap optical converters!!
You are saying how nice this lens is ('should have been an L')
The converter will totally destroy the lovely optical quality of that lens!!

My advice is to get the lens modified to fit the eos mount(the 135mm,the 50 likely is impossible because the rear elements would touch the 10D mirror when focused at infinity).Not only is it possible but it could be quite cheap depending where you get it done.
The general way to go about this is to remove the rear mount parts,get a machinist to measure everything and he can turn up a part to do the job.

FD lenses though are more difficult to change than other brands because they usually include the aperture ring as part of the rear mount so you will have to make up that part as well.

[Stever]

I use an FD to EOS adapter ocassionaly on a 500mm f8 Canon Mirror lens attached to my 10D. Bought at Adorama for a few dollars, it allows me to have fun with this lens and a few other FD's on Elan II e and EOS 50 bodies as well. All of which are for sale but no local (Ottawa - Canada) bites yet.

Stever

[GenEOS]

All my EOS lenses have fit... Those who want to use FD on EOS Digitals missed an upgrade period! But I know what your problem is.......You just haven't spent enough money!!!! hehe