Paper Weight or Oldie but Goodie

[Whaler]

I recently acquired a Canon 50mm f/1.4 FD lens in pristine condition (9.9) for FREE. I would guess it's 20 yrs old based on the Canon 1984 Olympic sponsor front lens cap. The build quality is very impressive and there is no play in th focus ring. Does anyone have any experience with this lens? Is it worth buying a FD/EF adapter? If so, what kind? Is this one of Canon's better lens? Sharpness? Bokeh?

TIA

Mike

[condyk]

If it's anything like the current 50mm f1.4 then I think you need to buy an adapter and check it out ASAP. You could have a great little lens there. Highly promising I'd have thought. I like the Bokeh especially on the current one and it is well loved by owners. I don't have it so take what I say with a pinch of salt, but seems low risk trying it out.

[csnudelman]

There will be no auto focus or auto exposure. In fact there will be no full aperture metering either, just stop down metering. To me?, not worth it.

[ron chappel]

It's a very nice lens but adding a cheap optical adapter (the only type available) will ruin it's sharpness :mad: .
Another option- i've done this myself occasionally - is too completely remove the mount and glue an EOS mount onto it :)
Actually it would easier to use a cheap,strong EOS-M42 adapter -available on ebay - instead of trawling lens repair shops for an old EOS mount.

You can do this and use it as-is .The focus will continue past infinity abit but it's not a problem...or you can readjust the focus to suit if you know how to remove the front nameplate ring.

You can use this lens safely on a digital camera when modified this way (but not an eos film camera though!-the mirror will hit the rear element!).

The most annoying part is that FD lenses have the aperture ring as part of the mount structure,so you'll be fooling round with a miniature screwdriver to set the aperture.Not a complete deal breaker...in most cases -portraiture for example- one could set the aperture and forget it.
Don't forget to set the camera to 'Av' so it meters automatically

[condyk]

Ron, your detailed knowledge never fails to amaze me. I imagine your house is like Pinoccio's workshop.

[ron chappel]

Here's the last lens i modified this way. This particular one is a vivitar that i found to be incredibly sharp and contrasty.It is structured so that the aperture ring is left behind when the mount is removed.It's not connected to anything yet but it wouldn't be hard to make up a small connecting tab so that it works the internal aperture parts

Usually i use a removeable glue such as silastic so the mount can be fully changed back to the orriginal.In this case it was a heavy lens so i thought epoxy would be needed.I underestimated the glue i think!:(
The contact surfaces were both smooth metal,a ring about 50mm in diameter and 2mm wide.It stuck so well i think now it might be absolutally permamant!;)

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/3526794-lg.jpg

[ron chappel]

LOL, actually it's abit embarrasing!
I could theoretically afford several L zooms but i'm adicted to fooling round with cheapies:lol: :lol: :lol:


I'm really happy that some of my oddball knowledge may be usefull to people though!

[Whaler]

Ron,

You've sparked my curiosity, what type of glue would you use? Also, if you have a minute take a look at these adapters and tell me what you think.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7529419692&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7529014047&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

TIA

Mike

[ron chappel]

Both of those adapters would be suitable.
*just a thought...measure the diameter of the rear lens elements.if they are under 41mm then all will be fine.They should be far less than this but ...just in case........

I've bought from the fotodiox guy before and have one of those here right now that i'm using for experiments.
I haven't seen the black ones offered at that low a price, i think they look a little better and may buy those next time :)

I recommend silicon rubber as an ideal glue while experimenting .Just buy a small tube of it from an auto parts or hardware store .
It's chemically harmless ,sticks to allmost anything and -most importantly- can be peeled apart later.

Contact glue is a good choice for stronger ,but still removeable bond.

Once you have finnished experimenting and want a permanant bond epoxy is the go.

[Whaler]

Ron,

Thank you. I think I'm going to buy an adapter and give it a try. I'll post or PM you with the results.

Mike

[ron chappel]

I'd be VERY interested in how that old lens goes against more modern lenses like the EF50/1.8 and 1.4