Using FD (and other) lenses on EOS bodies

[ron chappel]

*Edited and updated slightly aug '06

One question that comes up very often on this (and other) forums is -can old FD lenses be used on an EOS cameras -film or digital?
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to use those old lenses which are otherwise doing nothing?
Also lot of the older prime (non zoom) lenses are optically very good- allmost equal to modern lenses.
Hey,some people even prefer older manual focus lenses for their lovely focusing feel :)

Unfortunately the quick answer is ... no - FD lenses can't easily be used on EOS

The more complicated answer is that FD lenses can be used but either the image quality suffers or there are other drawbacks.
Canon did once make a good optical type adapter for using FD lenses on EOS but it only works on certain tele lenses plus it is VERY expensive .Figure on at least us$600 2nd hand !!!Added to that it does degrade optical quality very slightly (allthough it helps that it only fits some of the very best professional lenses)

There are cheapo adapters available on ebay (about us$40) to use allmost any FD lens on EOS but because they need to have built-in corrective optics they aren't really worth using -the image quality is not very good.

There are also simple (non optical) adapters that allow you to use FD lenses on EOS -BUT- these are only uasable for close up macro work.It's impossible to focus to any usable distance at all :(

Here's the good news though!!!There are brands that CAN be easily used on EOS, and there are some great ones among them!!
Common brands used on EOS via simple (non optical )adapters are:

Nikon (Except modern G type lenses *)
Zeiss (Contax/yashica mount)
Olympus
Leica R
M42 (the old pentax universal screw mount)
Pentax K mount (EF-S EOS bodies only -Normal EF bodies need slightly modified lenses)
T mount (many cheap tele lenses and mirror lenses)

Brands that can only be used with an optical adapter -and so are not worth using in my opinion- are:
Canon FD
Minolta MD/MC
Minolta AF ***

Prices:
Inexpensive Olympus ,leica ,contax/yashica, M42, T mount and Nikkor adapters are available on ebay for about us$15-50.These are quite well made for the price .
The one common 'problem' is that they are nearly allways built too thin to be on the safe side,so the focus distance scales are often inaccurate (if they are slightly too thick infinity focus would be impossible)
There are also some very good -but expensive- brand adapters available.Cameraquest seems to be the place most spoken

So -how does a manual focus lens work on EOS cameras anyway?

Well you have to focus the lens yourself of course but you knew that allready :)

The really great thing with EOS is that they still meter with a non EOS lens. Ok,it's not full matrix type metering but it's reasonably acurate. Even the flash works quite well !!
What you do is set the camera to 'Av' mode then choose an aperture on the lens.Now half press the shutter button and the camera will automatically select a shutter speed to suit!
You can also use 'M' mode and select the shutter speed yourself (in the viewfinder) if you like working that way

Actually the toughest part of all this is trying to get good acurate focus!
Old manual focus cameras had small prism arrays in the viewfinder that showed when something was even slightly out of focus.Autofocus cameras have none of this so getting sharp pictures is not allways easy.
I regularly take more shots than i need,resetting the focus several times to make sure i get at least one really sharp shot!
*update .. these days at least one aftermarket seller offers microprism focussing screens for the most popular Canon DSLR bodies.:D:D


The other problem (and it's a very small one) is focussing at small apertures.
Because a manual lens will make the viewfinder image quite dark when using small apertures it's easier to open up the
aperture,focus,close the aperture the right amount THEN take the picture
When using large apertures none of this is needed of course-just focus and shoot.
I imagine most old lenses used will be relatively large aperture primes chosen because they work so well wide open,so like i said this is not a serious issue at all.


Some odd rare problems:
Most EOS cameras do a great job of getting the exposure right if used in Av or M modes.The rare exceptions seem to be most of the EOS 30/33 (elan 7/7e) series which tended to get it wrong .I've read that the latest eos 30/elan 7 series have had their firmware fixed but i'm not completely sure.
The EOS 5(A2) and 50(elan II) cameras can sometimes have a dissabling switch on the lensmount.This locks up the camera when a non EOS lens is used.I have no idea why they did this and it's abit of a mystery why not all of one model type are the same.
I've heard some others mention it and have had it happen (sometimes) when i tried my EOS 5 with a non EOS lens-but never with my EOS 50
If you camera meters ok without a lens but won't with a manual lens then this could be the problem.There is a way to bypass the lensmount switch i've heard


* Nikkor G type lenses don't have an aperture ring so in theory cant be used .....but the aperture can be very easily held open (or set at certain apertures) with a small wad of paper on the lens linkage.Crude but harmless

*** Minolta AF has a shorter mount distance than EOS but only by half a millimeter so there's not enough room to make an adapter **EDIT .Actually it may be possible to make a mount as that half mm distance on the mount only has to act as a spacer-not a structural part.So far though no one has bothered trying

[ron chappel]

Here are some links to sellers of EOS adapters for other brand lenses
In no particular order:
http://www.cameraquest.com/frames/4saleReos.htm -this place is expensive but has a good range of quality adapters

http://www.novoflex.de/english/html/products.htm -these are also a good brand name,not sure on prices.Seems to currently offer only Leica R,Nikon and several medium format adapters

http://www.dslrexchange.com/ -This one looks like a good mid priced Contax adapter

here are two ebay sellers with good reputations that offer various inexpensive adapters-

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=fotodiox&frm=1728 (click on lens accessories and even check his completed auctions to see what else he offers-he doesn't sell all types at any one time)
**** Great news-this seller is now offering reasonably priced leica and contax adapters.Hopefully olympus adapters will follow soon?****

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=jinfinance&iid=3871410054&frm=1728 (same here-check past auctions to see everything he sells)

[Belmondo]

Ron:
This is excellent information.

Here is a link to a thread I started a while back regarding my experience with the Canon FD-EOS converter.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50629
It should be pointed out that this is a pretty rare piece, it's not cheap, loses 2/3 f-stop, corrects for the different distance to the focus plane by enlarging hte image by 26%, and only fits certain lenses. This is the list: (if your lens is not on it, you can still use the inexpensive adapter, but won't be able to focus to infinity)

FD 200mm 1.8 L
FD 200mm 2.8 RF
FD 300mm 2.8 L
FD 300mm 4
FD 300mm 4 L
FD 400mm 2.8 L
FD 400mm 4.5
FD 500mm 4.5 L
FD 600mm 4.5
FD 800mm 5.6 L
FD 50-300mm 4.5 L
FD 85-300mm 4.5
FD 150-600mm 5.6 L

[Bodog]

Ron, great post. Good info for those who want to try "'other" lenses. You mentioned focusing screens for the drebel. I haven't tried this myself, but there is a person on the canondigicamhacking forum on Yahoo who is selling various screens for the drebel. Here is a link to some information with prices. (may have to register to view): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canondigicamhacking/message/2856

[kb244]

Seems interesting, I looked up a mount on ebay, about 30-40 for an FD-EOS mount, also noticed folks selling things like FD 200mm f/2.8 , quite an attractive price. I am curious, are the older FDs as sharp as say the most current lens, have manufactures refined the quality of lens since then, or is it mainly features and speed.

[Andy_T]

Karl,

Why take the worry?

Of course, Canon FD lenses are great lenses, but you will have to put some kind of glass in the converter (and this means quality loss), and they will only be manual on the DSLR anyway.

If you find a Nikon 200/2.8, you'll have better results because there is no glass in the adapter (assuming the Nikon lens is as good as the Canon FD lens, which should definitely be the case).

Plus, the FD-EOS adapter you will get for 40$ will be - to use CDS' expert term - poop. Do you want to try a 40$ third-party 1.4 TCON on your EF lenses? What kind of glass element do you think will be inside?

The adapters for the other lenses, on the other hand, do not have optical elements. Basically, they are just spacer disks with the correct lens threads on either end.

Take a look at this link for further information, it also shows the kinds of lenses that can be used with the respective mount distances: http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/manual_focus_EOS.html

Ron:

Great information. As you remember, I'm currently also in the process of trying out this to see how it works.

I bought a Russian Jupiter 85/2.0 lens and a Zeiss 135/3.5 lens (both lenses reportedly in excellent condition) from eBay last week for a total of 50$ :shock: and am eagerly awaiting them. I'll post some pictures as soon as I have them. I was beaten to a 200/2.8 Zeiss lens that sold for 200$.

Just another thing ... a lens mount you did not mention that is also seen sometimes is the 'Pentacon 6' mount for medium format lenses (Russian/East German). There are some world class lenses available in that lensmount (e.g. the Zeiss Sonnar 180/2.8 or 300/4) that are used by pro medium format photographers also on Mamiya 645 cameras.
(Edit: They most likely won't work on Hasselblad, as the flange focal distance for Hasselblad is actually the longest of all MF formats)

Best regards,
Andy

[donlavange]

Actually the toughest part of all this is trying to get good acurate focus
Old manual focus cameras had small prism arrays in the viewfinder that showed when something was even slightly out of focus.Autofocus cameras have none of this so getting focus perfect is not easy.

And, Oh God, do I miss that prism match focusing! Do any of these focus screens I see offered for the 20D approximate the older focus system?

[Andy_T]

Do any of these focus screens I see offered for the 20D approximate the older focus system?

There are 3 minor problems with this ...

1) Canon does not offer focus screens for the 20D. Unlike the 1D, the focus screen on the 20D (and 10D, 300D, ...) can not be exchanged

2) If you want to add a new focus screen, you'll have to do this yourself. Problem is, you have to work *extremely* accurate, as a split screen will not work (and actually give you wrong results) if you do not exactly stick it to the middle of the image, and parallel to the focus pane

3) If you put an additional focus screen into your viewfinder, then you will lose some of the light ... making the viewfinder even dimmer.

Focusing ... According to what I've read about using manual lenses on digital SLRs, this could be a 'real' advantage of the D70 :shock:

Both DSLRs can assist manual focusing by illuminating the sensor point in the viewfinder that is currently in focus. But while this only works with EF lenses on Canon DSLRs, according to discussions I read on other forums, the D70 also has this feature on Non-Nikon-lenses. Anybody know this for sure?

Edit: On the other hand, the Nikon mount has the longest flange offset distance ... so you won't be able to use Canon, M42 or other lenses on the Nikon system with simple adapters, leaving you only MF lenses to convert.

Best regards,
Andy

[donlavange]

There are 3 minor problems with this ...

1) Canon does not offer focus screens for the 20D. Unlike the 1D, the focus screen on the 20D (and 10D, 300D, ...) can not be exchanged

Thank you for that information! I must have misssed the fact that they were not for the 20D. . . . and I need the brightest focusing screen I can get.

[ron chappel]

Wow the server was busy last night-i couldn't get in!

Andy i mentioned in passing where one can buy several medium format adapters but that subject needs some more thought put into it for sure.I didn't really think to add much info on them.
Do you mean that pentacon mount lenses can be fitted to hasslblads and mamiyas somehow?
I'm looking forward to results from your jupiter 85/2 ! Do you have any canon prime lenses to compare it to?

Bodog,thanks for that yahoo link about focus screens.Really difficult to get to but worth it! Looks like she has succeeded at last in making good 300D manual focus screens,i'll watch that one with interest.I have made one myself but the 300D screen is actually slightly recessed ,so special techniques are needed to make them as far as i can tell.

Belmondo-I remember that test but somehow missed that it was the genuine canon extender you were using!


*** One Option i didn't mention is that some FD lenses could be modified so that the mount is completely replaced with a custom made EOS mount.This wouldn't be as involved as it sounds-the two hardest aspects would be measuring everything perfectly and having a machinist make up the part.It wouldn't even be very expensive.I have only heard of one shop that does this work but don't have any current links.I have done it myself in a crude way by glueing an EF lensmount plate to an FD lens chassis.I haven't as yet aquired a good enough FD lens that's worth doing properly.Also i want to buy my own lathe so i can do all this myself...and maybe others as well :) .

I wanted to convert an FD300/2.8 one day but that FD 200/1.8 would be well worth going to the effort to have changed over:D :D

KB224 -generally modern prime lenses aren't much better than the best older ones.It's zooms that have made huge optical improvements the last decade or so.
As Andy says though-the only easy way to use the FD200/2.8 on EOS is with that cheap optical converter.
You would be far better off buying a nikkor 200/2.8 and using the cheap ,high quality (no optics needed!) nikon-EOS adapter :)

[Tom W]

The angle finder C is considered a good asset for manual focus, particularly with cameras that have smaller viewfinders.

[donlavange]

The angle finder C is considered a good asset for manual focus, particularly with cameras that have smaller viewfinders.
OK, I just ordered it! Thanks.

[shaun3000]

Go to the Yahoo Canon Digital Camera Hacking group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canondigicamhacking/) and search for Rachael. She is an engineer who has figured out a somewhat effecient way to fabricate split and micro-prism focusing screens for the 300D. The microprism screen has virtually no affect on metering but the split-prism screens (regular and brightness-enhanced) affect metering by 1 stop or more. However, they are excellent solutions for manually focusing the 300D.

In the files section of the group are instructions for changing the screen. It's actually rather simple, all that is needed is a steady hand, ability to work with tiny objects, and ability to read and follow instructions.

Screens cost about $100, which is steep until you consider the small production runs she is doing.

[msvadi]

here's the link to some popular M42 lenses:


http://anusf.anu.edu.au/~aab900/photography/cameras/whatlens.htm

[Mudflap66]

Morning;
No one has mentioned the Canon Magnifier S w/Adapter S

I have used one for years on the old A-1. I was digging through my A-1 camers bag a couple of weeks ago and found the Magnifier S, will it work on my 20D? Oh ya. Being old and and half blind it really works great for me.:lol:

[skyphix]

I got a couple of free (yes, free) FD Mount lenses and a broken T70 body...

Niow I'm trying to find a cheap T-series body as a backup to my DReb ...

I'd love a T90, but that wont happen for less than 200 dollars...

I guess I could just try to find some of the mentioned lenses...

Great info!

[Andy_T]

Another great source: Ken's very informative M42 lens test thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62616)

Test with equal image size and 100% images.

Best regards,
Andy

[rdenney]

Ron, thanks for the good summary.

I would say this about even the cheap optical adapters: I've used one for special needs and it worked. Near as I could tell, it had no more effect on the image quality than a teleconverter. It's not something I'd want to use routinely, but if I had a really expensive and specialized FD L-series lens, I'd use it in a heartbeat. I'm thinking of lenses like the old flourite telephotos, such as the 300/2.8 with extender, that would be expensive to replace today. Those lenses utterly pushed the state of the art and were Canon's entry into the sports photo market that they now dominate.

I would not, of course, buy the optical adaptor as a step in collecting old FD lenses. It only has value for those who have the lenses already and want to keep using them for a while.

Rick "who has a range of FD lenses, but no flourite telephoto, heh, heh" Denney

[Andy_T]

Of course, the ever-more-popular 'Zeiss Jena lenses and how to buy them' (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70506) thread should not be missing from the links given here :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[embdude]

Non-EF Lenses, lenses designed for other cameras, can sucessfully be adapted to work, with fantastic results, on EOS cameras....

These adapters are avialible in varrious mounts from $10-$300 depending on the mount and where you buy from...

You will lose many automatic features with adapted lenses. This includes autofocus, auto diaphram, electronic focus point confirmition, and some of the basic modes don't meter the light properly.

For some the loss of automation seems crazy, but for those of us who remember the joy of using manual cameras it can bee rather nice. For me comming from a Leica M6 Rangefinder, manual lenses and the creative camera modes are very enjoyable. For those who only shoot in the basic modes and have only known todays electronic wonder-cams it is not worth it.

As I mentioned recently, about the old Nikon, Nikkor lenses...
The build quality alone is in a different class than todays plastic and electronic marvels. They are fun just to hold and marvel at the engineering that went into them. Of course the Nikkor glass even in my (all pre-ai) lenses never fails to please. In fact I like my Nikkor lenses so much that I have adapted them to work on my EOS. Since Nikon bodies are thinner than EOS all it takes is an adapter ring to make up the spacing difference. Of course you lose much of your automation, but you still get metering! (you dont even get that using your old nikon lenses on new nikon bodies!).

If you already have a colection of adaptable lenses like I do then it is really a no-brainer, go get the adapter.... If not then you should still expirement. Some of the worlds most legendary 35mm lenses are not made for the canon EOS but are still worth using. Here is a quick list of world class lenses adaptable to the EOS...

In order of price (I think):

Pentax-Takumar...............50mm/1.4 Beautiful low light portraits :eek:
Nikon-Nikkor....................105mm/2.5 (AKA "the lens from outter-space"!:p)
Contax-Carl Ziess............ 45mm/2.0 Plannar
Leica-Leitz.................... 50mm/2.0 Summicron-R

One of my shots with a 50mm/1.4 Pentax-Takumar
http://photography-on-the.net/forum...ead.php?t=74208 (showthread.php?t=74208)

One of my shots with a 50mm/2.8 CZJ Tessar:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum...ead.php?t=76647 (showthread.php?t=76647)

[ron chappel]

I too am abit of an adapted lens adict :)
In fact i've even converted non adaptable lenses so that they can be used on EOS!

[csnudelman]

What about using pre-EF Canon lenses on the 20D?

[ron chappel]

Unfortunately Canon manual focus (FD) lenses are actually one of the hardest to use.
No great loss though when there are such great lenses that can be used -Leica,nikkor,contax,pentax screwmount,etc

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57023

[rdenney]

(Edit: They most likely won't work on Hasselblad, as the flange focal distance for Hasselblad is actually the longest of all MF formats)


Andy, the main problem using Pentacon Six lenses on 500-series Hasselblads is the lack of a shutter. The Hasselblad camera does not have a shutter and the lenses are built around their own leaf shutters. The 180mm Sonnar is well enough regarded to have had custom mounts made to replace the factory mount so that it can be used on the Hasseblad 2000 series cameras (which have a focal-plane shutter).

Most folks buying medium-format cameras to use with Pentacon Six cameras are using Pentax or Mamiya 645 cameras that have focal-plane shutters. Of course, an Exakta 66 (which is just the post-unification version of the Pentacon Six, with some nice improvements) will do very well and maintain the auto diaphragm. Those lenses will also work directly on the Kiev 60 and Kiev 88CM cameras for the adventurous.

The 180 and 300 Sonnars and the 500mm Pentacon Prakticar are the only lenses I would use on my 10D without reservation. Many of the lenses in the P-6 mount are silly cheap, though not as cheap as M42 lenses that are possibly better in this format.

Rick "who adapts P-6 lenses for Canon only because he already has them" Denney

[Beaker]

I will try and look up the reference, I think it was on FredMiranda, but people have been reporting very good results with FD lenses using the Kiev adapter. It does have a corrective lens and allows focus at infinity, which I understand is an issue for other FD adapters. To be honest, at least in the posts I have seen, the pics look pretty good. I have been mulling over buying one from their ebay store for the last 2 months so I can use my FD SSC lenses on my 10D. Not much of a risk, at $30-40 but... Just to reiterate, I haven't used the adapter myself!

[loz]

Like many others I have a host of Nikkor A1 lenses that need a DSLR body to call home. I realise I need an adapter to connect to a Canon body but would the 350D be a good choice???

[rdenney]

Like many others I have a host of Nikkor A1 lenses that need a DSLR body to call home. I realise I need an adapter to connect to a Canon body but would the 350D be a good choice???

I don't know what "A1" means, but if you mean "Ai", then they will work fine on any Canon DSLR body with an adaptor. They will be stop-down lenses, so there will be no connection to the aperture ring, and you'll have to stop the lens down manually once you focus the image. A Canon camera in Av mode will meter correctly through the stopped-down lens. The only Nikon lenses that won't work are those that don't have manual aperture controls. I haven't tested any of my wife's electronic Nikon lenses with my adaptor.

Rick "only marginally informed on Nikon lenses" Denney

[JonathanSQ]

Just to make sure I read this right, all I need is a adapter
and I will be able to use my (m42-mount) 55mm F/1.7 lens? ???
I think its the default one for the "Chinon CS" SLR if that makes any difference.

[Andy_T]

Jonathan, that is correct. If it's an M42 lens, it will work with the adapter on your EOS camera in A mode (setting aperture manual on lens).

Back to the original issue of using FD lenses on an EOS SLR:

Take a look here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=90249), nothing like some sample images (FD 50/1.8 + optical adapter vs. EF 85/1.8 ).

Best regards,
Andy

[jstires]

I've seen the new Sony Alpha and must say that having the anit-shake feature in the camera is the way to go. Assuming, that is, that it works as well as the IS lenses.
Does anyone know if my Canon "L" lenses can mate with the Sony? I believe the Sony mates with Minolta Maxum lenses.
Thanks.

[CoolToolGuy]

Here are some shots using the Canon FD-EOS converter and an FD 500 f4.5L. They are directly out of my 1D MK II N, with no sharpening or other adjustments.

http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/Me7Ea6cn

Have Fun,

[Belmondo]

Looks good, Rick. Where'd you get that lens and converter?:rolleyes:

[CoolToolGuy]

Looks good, Rick. Where'd you get that lens and converter?:rolleyes:

Tom, the 600 and converter that I got from a member here (cough, cough, MelBondo) sowed the seed for me to know how well they could work for me, but the 600 is actually a little too much lens. By the time you factor in the 1.26x TC factor it becomes a 756mm lens, and with the 1.6x crop factor it gives the AOV of a 1210mm lens (on the 20d - 983mm on the 1D) - great quality, but a little too long for these shots. These were taken with a 500 that I got from the FM Buy & Sell forum, and I have since gotten an FD 300 f2.8L as well. Now I am looking for an FD 400 f2.8L to complete the set.

Ironically, the FD 200 f1.8L is not on my list. While it is compatible with the FD-EOS converter, it causes some vignetting at the wider apertures, so even though when it is available it sells for a bargain, I must pass on it.

Have Fun,

[Belmondo]

Ah, yes. Good old MelBondo.

[Jon]

Thread on Tamron Adaptall lenses (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=201938) on EOS.

[creamcorn]

Here are some shots using the Canon FD-EOS converter and an FD 500 f4.5L. They are directly out of my 1D MK II N, with no sharpening or other adjustments.

http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/Me7Ea6cn

Have Fun,

Old topic, but I've been looking into this.... Do you have the Canon C54-2131 adaptor or a cheaper variant? Also could you post a higher dpi picture here on the forum???? I'm a motorsport photog and these pics have peaked my interest...

thanks

Nevermind, I see you have the canon adaptor.....ANYONE else have any pics with the knock off variant? Coolguy, if I send you a $40 one would you send me some pics with it? :)

[CoolToolGuy]

creamcorn, after all of the discussion, I bought one of the cheapies just to make some comparisons - but I don't know how long it will be before I can get out to do the comparison shots. As soon as I do, I will post the results here.

Have Fun,

[creamcorn]

creamcorn, after all of the discussion, I bought one of the cheapies just to make some comparisons - but I don't know how long it will be before I can get out to do the comparison shots. As soon as I do, I will post the results here.

Have Fun,

Cool thanks, how is the fitting ect? I'm ready to jump on board and use the $40 one untill I can find a canon adaptor

[CoolToolGuy]

Cool thanks, how is the fitting ect? I'm ready to jump on board and use the $40 one untill I can find a canon adaptor

The $40 version goes on fine. It has a "toggle" function to go from full aperture to the f/stop the lens is set at, just like the Canon version. That seems to be a weak point on the $40 version, as they use a screw to be the lever that stops the lens down, and it seems to bend easily - be careful with it.

If you get any of the Canon lenses, the longer you go, the better the deal compared with the EF lenses. And using the $40 version may be an acceptable stepping stone until you find a Canon converter. (There is one on eBay as I type this).

Good luck.

Have Fun,

[creamcorn]

The $40 version goes on fine. It has a "toggle" function to go from full aperture to the f/stop the lens is set at, just like the Canon version. That seems to be a weak point on the $40 version, as they use a screw to be the lever that stops the lens down, and it seems to bend easily - be careful with it.

If you get any of the Canon lenses, the longer you go, the better the deal compared with the EF lenses. And using the $40 version may be an acceptable stepping stone until you find a Canon converter. (There is one on eBay as I type this).

Good luck.

Have Fun,

Thanks for the info....The prices of the FD primes are to good to ignore :!:

[CoolToolGuy]

Thanks for the info....The prices of the FD primes are to good to ignore :!:


I think so as well - my sig tells my story.

Two points to mention to you if your plan is to eventually get the Canon converter: the Canon converter only works with certain FD lenses - the list is available from several Web sites, and it has been posted here as well. It is about 10 or so lenses; and even some of those will not work in all cases without a little help. The older breech-lock models typically have a rectangular mask at the rear end of the lens, and it won't allow the converter, which looks like a Canon teleconverter, to project into the back of the lens body. Most of them can be machined with a grinder to allow the converter to mount, but the best criteria is to look for the "new FD" bayonet mount. As far as I can tell, the newer models of the lenses on the list all have the mechanics and the cutout to allow the Canon converter to work.

Hope this helps - good luck

Have Fun,

[Jon]

rl=http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2993339&postcount=1]Exakta to EOS adapter[/url]

[wimg]

With regard to FD lenses: they actually can be adapted to work with the EOS mount, without a special teleconverter. Ok, could should maybe be the correct usage here.

When the EOS mount came out, Canon itself and a few third party adapter turners could retrofit an EOS mount to an FD lens instead of the old FD mount. At a price however - I think about $300 - $400 at the time.

Somehow this knowledge seems to have been lost now, but wouldn't it be nice to try out an FD 150-600 F/5.6 L with a proper EOS mount retro-fitting on an EOS camera?

Kind regards, Wim

[Steve M]

Hello: I just purchased a Tamron SP 28-105 f2.8 thinking that the adaptall 2 would allow its use on my 20D. Needless to say, I am mistaken. I found the following Ebay item listed and wondered it this would work in place of the adaptall 2; EBay item # 130118494323.

I understand that I give up auto focus, but that TTL metering should still work. I don't mind using a manual lens, but should I reconsider and perhaps purchase a different lens?
If so, what lenses are in the same class as the Tamron??

Thanks, Steve

[Andy_T]

As far as I know, the 'adaptall' is a Tamron system that is not really a lens mount, but rather a connector that allows you to use different of Tamrons adaptall adapters to connect the lens to various cameras. That means, you also have to have the correct Adaptall-EOS adapter. Or, if you have, e.g. an adaptall-M42 or adaptall-Nikon adapter, you could get a much cheaper M42-EOS or Nikon-EOS adapter (instead of the rather seldum and thus more expensive original Adaptall-EOS adapters).

As far as AF is concerned ... I think all Adaptall lenses are manual focus lenses in the first place, so there is no way to get it to AF on a Canon EOS camera. What you can do is put the lens on your camera, put the camera in AV mode, manually set the aperture on the lens and have the camera meter the corresponding shutter speed (which is the only way - apart from manual - that an M42/Noink/etc... lens can be used on the EOS system anyway).

Which other lens to use instead? ... Well, I don't know your budget.
But - to be honest - IU'd most likely not look at a manual focus zoom lens in the first place. While it is true that M42/Noink/xx prime lenses are not very much behind current Canon Ef primes, with zoom lenses, there has been quite some development in the last 20-30 years...

Best regards,
Andy

[xarqi]

I apologise if this has been mentioned earlier, but a quick scan of the thread did not reveal it.

It is possible to get "chipped" adaptors that enable the camera autofocus circuitry. Now, this doesn't magically make the lens autofocus, in fact the lens may not even have a motor, but it does engage the focus confirmation system in the camera, so that when you have achieved correct focus manually, you get highlighted AF points in the viewfinder and an audible signal, if that is enabled.

I bought one via ebay from Hong Kong: OM->EOS; plated brass; well made, $US50 including shipping, and it works.

[CoolToolGuy]

I apologise if this has been mentioned earlier, but a quick scan of the thread did not reveal it.

It is possible to get "chipped" adaptors that enable the camera autofocus circuitry. Now, this doesn't magically make the lens autofocus, in fact the lens may not even have a motor, but it does engage the focus confirmation system in the camera, so that when you have achieved correct focus manually, you get highlighted AF points in the viewfinder and an audible signal, if that is enabled.

I bought one via ebay from Hong Kong: OM->EOS; plated brass; well made, $US50 including shipping, and it works.

There are some of the cheap FD-EOS converters being offered on eBay with the AF-confirm chip in it, but the image quality of the cheap ones is not that good.

If I see a way to add the confirm chip to the genuine Canon converter I might give it a try - it would be a nice upgrade.

Have Fun,

[xarqi]

If I see a way to add the confirm chip to the genuine Canon converter I might give it a try - it would be a nice upgrade.


I did also see the chips themselves offered for sale, so maybe one of those and some epoxy or cyanoacrylate glue would do the trick.

[CoolToolGuy]

I did also see the chips themselves offered for sale, so maybe one of those and some epoxy or cyanoacrylate glue would do the trick.

I hear you, but with the Canon converters going for $1000 it is an expensive gamble. . . :confused:

Have Fun,

[ron chappel]

Those chips are simply glued onto the flat rear surface of the adapter.They don't change the lens/adapter in any physical way- unless you are worried about possible damage the glue might do to the paintwork/surface finish ?

I haven't personally used such chips but know of many that have.Apparently they are not accurate enough for superfast lenses (f1,f1.2,etc) and may not even do great at f1.4.It would pay to do some research if you want to try it on such fast glass.
The other option of course is to fit one of those aftermarket split/microprism focus screens to the camera (and calibrate it well,depending of the lenses you will use)

There are pros and cons with both methods and alot of personal preference seems to be involved.

[kitacanon]

The focus confirm chip is very helpful in determining where in the rotating barrel the focus is correct...my 135 nikkors both were 'off' when the LED was lit (being front focused, even tho they were in focus in the VF), only getting in focus when I rotated the lens to infinity and exactly when the LED went OFF.
A bit of wierdness, but consistant.

The preferred exposure seems to vary from center 0 to -1, so I find it helpful to bracket.

The 24/2.8 nikkor (and the 35/2 and 58/1.8 as well) required removal of the rear protective baffle, much like that on the Canon 18-55 kit that needed to be removed for use on the 10D. The lens also focuses waaaay past inf. and seems best focused @ f:5.6 at 5 feet.

The 85, 200, and 300 work great, both focus and exposure...and they all are very sharp, compact and easy to focus on the 10D screen, as they well I imagine on the new 40D.

[Andy_T]

I haven't personally used such chips but know of many that have.Apparently they are not accurate enough for superfast lenses (f1,f1.2,etc) and may not even do great at f1.4.

Actually, the chips should not not be 'accurate' in themselves, as they merely send some data to the camera to make it believe that a Canon AF lens is mounted, e.g. a 24-70/2.8 L set to f/2.8 (that was what one of the chips I tried out once by holding it to my camera 'told' the camera).

In that case, the camera's AF system will flash the AF confirm lights once it determines correct focus is achieved. But, as Ron already mentioned, using the lens @ f/1.2 when the camera believes it is used @ f/2.8 might be not be detailed enough.

Best regards,
Andy

[sjones]

Actually, the chips should not not be 'accurate' in themselves, as they merely send some data to the camera to make it believe that a Canon AF lens is mounted, e.g. a 24-70/2.8 L set to f/2.8 (that was what one of the chips I tried out once by holding it to my camera 'told' the camera)

The M42 adaptors with AF-confirm chips generally set the camera to 50mm at f/1.8…I've found the adaptors to be effective, and as I am using a 350D, I need some sort of assistance for manual focus…the chipped adaptors also allow the use of metering modes, which would otherwise be set to center-weighted I believe….

At wider apertures, 2.8 and faster, accuracy seems to diminish, but I believe this reflects the limitations of the 350D's AF system…just my guess…
Steve

[jacobsen1]

OK, I'm looking at getting into non Canon lenses on my 5D. I'd love to get a Nikon 28mm PC lens as my first as it's a cheaper alternative to the canon 24mm TS-E and it's a good way to try a Nikon converter....

Just wondering which adapters you guys are using? Anyone have the AF version for Nikon lenses?

[kitacanon]

OK, I'm looking at getting into non Canon lenses on my 5D. I'd love to get a Nikon 28mm PC lens as my first as it's a cheaper alternative to the canon 24mm TS-E and it's a good way to try a Nikon converter....

Just wondering which adapters you guys are using? Anyone have the AF version for Nikon lenses?

You lose AF capability when using Nikkors on the EOS...the adapter I got from Fleabay seller BIG_IS in Hong Kong/Guangzhau was defective...the pin wasn't long enuf to lock the adapter to the lens, but he sent me another and it works fine on my XT and D30 and 10D...I also find the focusing just fine on lenses other than the 24 and 135, but I've adapted my technique and they're sharp.

[jacobsen1]

yeah, I know you lose AF (the PC lenses don't have it anyway) but I'm referring to the green dot and or "beep" when focus is achieved. Anyone try those?

[kitacanon]

I never use the beep but the green light works...
It's helpful to confirm that the lens is in fact in focus (as opposed to front/back focusing, a notorious problem even with some Canons) and to confirm exactly when it is in focus (as in the case of my 135 lenses, at the point when the the LED goes OUT as I focus to inf)...so it's more to confirm that that the adapter/bod/lens combo, rather than your eye, works...or not...
Also...I'd like to mention that the HK/China ebay seller BIG_is sent me a replacement for one that didn't stay locked on to my Nikkors (the pin was too short) and let me keep the extra lens cap when I sent the defecto back to him...

[snowyowl13]

I apologise if this has been mentioned earlier, but a quick scan of the thread did not reveal it.

It is possible to get "chipped" adaptors that enable the camera autofocus circuitry. Now, this doesn't magically make the lens autofocus, in fact the lens may not even have a motor, but it does engage the focus confirmation system in the camera, so that when you have achieved correct focus manually, you get highlighted AF points in the viewfinder and an audible signal, if that is enabled.

I bought one via ebay from Hong Kong: OM->EOS; plated brass; well made, $US50 including shipping, and it works.
Am I understanding this correctly? If there are no electronics in the lens but a chipped adapter is used, will there be focus confirmation?
Over the weekend I acquired a Vivitar 70-210 f4.5-f5.6 Macro for $5. Apparently this is a decent quality lens and I'm going to get an adapter for my 20D. I was going to get a basic adapter but now am wondering whether I should get a chipped one instead.

[xarqi]

Yup - you understand correctly. I'm not sure if the chip contains any active components, or if it just connects pins, but when used, and you manually pass through correct focus (assuming you have the shutter half pressed, or equivalent), you'll get the viewfinder confirmation and the audible signal (if you haven't switched that off).

[Andy_T]

The chip definitely contains an active component.

That active component pretends to the camera that an EF lens is attached by answering the requests of the camera with valid answers in the Canon EF protocol.

Normally, the AF confirmation is turned off (deliberately) by Canon ... unless a proper Canon EF lens is mounted. So this works now the camera thinks an EF lens is present.

Best regards,
Andy

[Zoodles]

Just thought I'd add my .02 worth... (since the original post was not specific to Canon lenses)

When I bought my Canon D-SLR a little while back I wondered what I could do with all my Tamron SP lenses I purchased back in the eighties for use with my AE-1 and my Pentax ME (I also had FD and K-mount adapters).
Well, searching on E-Bay I discovered a chap in Beijing of all places (CirrusAdapters) who manufactures adapters of all types quite reasonably priced.
I have been happily using my lovely Tamron 90mm Macro/Portrait lens with and without my Tamron 2x extender for several weeks and other than the loss of AF and exif data etc. the images are excellent and I have no problems focusing to eternity nor 1:1 reproductions focused within 2 or 3 inches...

[jrsamples]

Did Canon designate a model or number for the "official issue" fd to eos converter? -Chuck *Edited and updated slightly aug '06

One question that comes up very often on this (and other) forums is -can old FD lenses be used on an EOS cameras -film or digital?
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to use those old lenses which are otherwise doing nothing?
Also lot of the older prime (non zoom) lenses are optically very good- allmost equal to modern lenses.
Hey,some people even prefer older manual focus lenses for their lovely focusing feel :)

Unfortunately the quick answer is ... no - FD lenses can't easily be used on EOS

The more complicated answer is that FD lenses can be used but either the image quality suffers or there are other drawbacks.
Canon did once make a good optical type adapter for using FD lenses on EOS but it only works on certain tele lenses plus it is VERY expensive .Figure on at least us$600 2nd hand !!!Added to that it does degrade optical quality very slightly (allthough it helps that it only fits some of the very best professional lenses)

There are cheapo adapters available on ebay (about us$40) to use allmost any FD lens on EOS but because they need to have built-in corrective optics they aren't really worth using -the image quality is not very good.

There are also simple (non optical) adapters that allow you to use FD lenses on EOS -BUT- these are only uasable for close up macro work.It's impossible to focus to any usable distance at all :(

Here's the good news though!!!There are brands that CAN be easily used on EOS, and there are some great ones among them!!
Common brands used on EOS via simple (non optical )adapters are:

Nikon (Except modern G type lenses *)
Zeiss (Contax/yashica mount)
Olympus
Leica R
M42 (the old pentax universal screw mount)
Pentax K mount (EF-S EOS bodies only -Normal EF bodies need slightly modified lenses)
T mount (many cheap tele lenses and mirror lenses)

Brands that can only be used with an optical adapter -and so are not worth using in my opinion- are:
Canon FD
Minolta MD/MC
Minolta AF ***

Prices:
Inexpensive Olympus ,leica ,contax/yashica, M42, T mount and Nikkor adapters are available on ebay for about us$15-50.These are quite well made for the price .
The one common 'problem' is that they are nearly allways built too thin to be on the safe side,so the focus distance scales are often inaccurate (if they are slightly too thick infinity focus would be impossible)
There are also some very good -but expensive- brand adapters available.Cameraquest seems to be the place most spoken

So -how does a manual focus lens work on EOS cameras anyway?

Well you have to focus the lens yourself of course but you knew that allready :)

The really great thing with EOS is that they still meter with a non EOS lens. Ok,it's not full matrix type metering but it's reasonably acurate. Even the flash works quite well !!
What you do is set the camera to 'Av' mode then choose an aperture on the lens.Now half press the shutter button and the camera will automatically select a shutter speed to suit!
You can also use 'M' mode and select the shutter speed yourself (in the viewfinder) if you like working that way

Actually the toughest part of all this is trying to get good acurate focus!
Old manual focus cameras had small prism arrays in the viewfinder that showed when something was even slightly out of focus.Autofocus cameras have none of this so getting sharp pictures is not allways easy.
I regularly take more shots than i need,resetting the focus several times to make sure i get at least one really sharp shot!
*update .. these days at least one aftermarket seller offers microprism focussing screens for the most popular Canon DSLR bodies.:D:D


The other problem (and it's a very small one) is focussing at small apertures.
Because a manual lens will make the viewfinder image quite dark when using small apertures it's easier to open up the
aperture,focus,close the aperture the right amount THEN take the picture
When using large apertures none of this is needed of course-just focus and shoot.
I imagine most old lenses used will be relatively large aperture primes chosen because they work so well wide open,so like i said this is not a serious issue at all.


Some odd rare problems:
Most EOS cameras do a great job of getting the exposure right if used in Av or M modes.The rare exceptions seem to be most of the EOS 30/33 (elan 7/7e) series which tended to get it wrong .I've read that the latest eos 30/elan 7 series have had their firmware fixed but i'm not completely sure.
The EOS 5(A2) and 50(elan II) cameras can sometimes have a dissabling switch on the lensmount.This locks up the camera when a non EOS lens is used.I have no idea why they did this and it's abit of a mystery why not all of one model type are the same.
I've heard some others mention it and have had it happen (sometimes) when i tried my EOS 5 with a non EOS lens-but never with my EOS 50
If you camera meters ok without a lens but won't with a manual lens then this could be the problem.There is a way to bypass the lensmount switch i've heard


* Nikkor G type lenses don't have an aperture ring so in theory cant be used .....but the aperture can be very easily held open (or set at certain apertures) with a small wad of paper on the lens linkage.Crude but harmless

*** Minolta AF has a shorter mount distance than EOS but only by half a millimeter so there's not enough room to make an adapter **EDIT .Actually it may be possible to make a mount as that half mm distance on the mount only has to act as a spacer-not a structural part.So far though no one has bothered trying

[Replaces]

there should be a lens adapter that lets you use NIKKOR G lenses on a canon body (convert signal going to and fro b/w nikkor and body)

[archp2011]

I have the following lenses taking up space in my closet:

Canon FD 300mm f5.6
Vivitar 75-205mm f3.5-4.5 MACRO FOCUSING ZOOM for Canon FD
Sigma 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 for Canon FD
Focal 135mm f2.8 with Macro setting for Canon FD
Formula 5 28mm f2.8 for Canon FD
Formula 5 Auto 2X Teleconverter for Canon FD
Canon FD 50mm f1.8

I have an old AE-1 that I used to use these lenses on and a new Canon T2i

I have read a lot of articles discouraging the use of FD to EOS adapters mainly due to the poor optical quality, but I can't bring myself to throwing away all my old equipment. The two highest price adapters I have found are listed below:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/350414335861?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_3447wt_1237

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/330626406827?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_3727wt_1237

I have three questions.

1. Am I better off paying $50 more for an expensive adapter like one of those?

2. Which of those will likely give more bang for the buck?

3. Is there another better one out there at a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance for any comments

[stover98074]

I would sell the prime lenses and reinvest in Nikkors or M42 lenses if you want to try MF on EOS. The FD lenses will be of interest to users of 4/3rd cameras.

[j37r]

If you can find a HOYA adapter get it, I bought one for £17.00 back in 2007 and have been using it on my 350D ever since, I have no complaints about picture quality.

look at this thread from 2009: picture at bottom of page 1.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=749158

I have about 30 FD lenses ranging from 17mm to a 600mm mirror and have used them all, some of the shorter focal length ones are not good wide open (F1.4,1.8) but stopped down a notch work just fine.


John

[ZoneV]

...
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/350414335861?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_3447wt_1237
...

That one is funny!
The sample picture is made with a Helios 40 lens - as far as I know there are only M42 and M39 mounts on that lens :-) No real need for the FD-EF adapter :-)

All the talk about Hoya glass is funny too. Hoya has good glass, but the glass alone is not an optical system. I like to get such an adapter cheap, to analyse if it has one or two lenses inside - I suppose a single lens.

I don´t like the adapter use with lenses inside - I like the original focal length and original quality, because of that I DIY converted the FD lenses I want to use. But I admit, this is not an easy way, and for the lenses you have I would not take the effort too do this - you could see that on my homepage.
For those slower and longer lenses a adapter with lens could work well enough for some.
But don't start thinking about the faster FD lenses with such adapter! Take a look on the small lens diameter of the adapter - and the huge backlens from FD85/1.2L.

[funkyfones]

I'v done a video(s) of a full conversion for an fd 50mm 1.8 to EF mount on this thread..

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1110135

I know its not very clear but I just wanted to get something out there, I will be doing a more clearer/better lit/close up version this week.