New EdMika Polymer FD to EF conversion kit

Mini-Review for the new EdMika Polymer FD to EF conversion kits.

Canon's Manual Focus FD lenses are legendary for sharpness, color, and contrast. Many people have discovered how well they work on various Mirror-less and 4/3 camera systems using simple ad-on adapters that go between the lens and the camera.

Unfortunately there is no way to use a simple adapter with EOS camera without adding corrective optics which destroy the image quality. EDMika recognized this a long time ago and has been developing individual conversion kits for EOS cameras.

I was scanning through the various ebay listings and came across EdMika's new Polymer mount conversion/converter/a​dapter kits.

http://www.ebay.com …edmika&_sacat=0​&_from=R40

He has recently added many more conversion kits for the FDn (New FD mount) series lenses and they are no longer made of Brass. The text of his ebay listing describes his reasoning for the change in material, and I think it is a good move. The Brass kits were extremely well made but they were heavy. I bet that in some cases the new brass mounts were heavier than the lens they were going on. The brass color also didn't really match the chrome plating of the camera mount and could also cause light reflections near the sensor.

These new Polymer mounts are also extremely well made, weigh almost nothing, and are completely black in color. I really appreciate the weight savings when I use the lens with my SL1. Users with larger cameras might feel the same way.

I ordered the kit for the FDn 50mm 1.4 and it arrived in just 3 days. The package includes a new mount, "Ed Bushing" (to engage the aperture), and a EdMika EOS lens cap.

The kit does not come with any instructions so you have to watch all the videos on the ebay listing page to get a good idea of how the various FDn lenses are taken apart and them assembled with the new mount. The kit is very easy to install and fits really well.

Here is the video that applies to to FDn 50mm 1.4 because it uses the "Ed Bushing" that replaces part of the original aperture linkage.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=ats-wQOkreY

In my photos I show the partially assembled lens with the old silver colored ring beside the lens and the new "Ed Bushing" installed in position. The "Ed Bushing" is also black in color and made of the same Polymer material.

The new Polymer rear lens cap is interesting, and lower in profile, but I think I prefer the standard Canon cap.

More photos...

Excellent. Thanks for this update.

Mike, is the FDn mount the one with the silver "barrel" that would begin to turn itself when pressed onto the body? Don't know if I explained that very well, but don't know how else to say it.

I have the 50 1.4 and would love to be able to use it.

You described it pretty well. You have the original FD mount with the the silver ring that is twisted to lock the lens on the body. It is also called "Breech" mount while the "New FD" or "FDn" is called "Bayonet" mount.

The older FD 50mm 1.4 has a 55mm filter thread and the FDn 50mm 1.4 has 52mm filter thread. I am not sure why but it seems the FDn lenses are easier to convert to EF.

Thanks, Mike! In your opinion, is the FD 50 1.4 worth getting the adapter for?

In other words, do you think it is better (sharper) than the EF 50 1.8?

Yes, the FDn 50mm f/1.4 is quite sharp, even wide open at 1.4 just like the EF 50mm f/1.4, and only gets sharper as you stop down. It will definitely be sharper at 1.8 than the 50mm 1.8 is at 1.8

As you stop down to f/4 or f/5.6 I doubt you would see any real difference, other than maybe better bokeh from 8 blade aperture.

The way I see it, if you already have the FDn 50mm 1.4, for only $100, your "collectors item" now becomes a usable lens.


I just read somewhere else that EdMika is also working on a conversion kit for the older "Breechmount" FD 50mm 1.4 S.S.C lens.

I have the FD, not the FDn, so I guess I'll have to wait for a while.

Thanks for all the info!

I originally got involved with the Ed Mika kits when I bought a 35mm 2.8 tilt/shift lens. He offered a brass kit for the conversion to EF and I thought it was a reasonable way to convert. The whole process took about 3 minutes (probably less) on the kitchen table. And it worked as it should. No problems whatsoever. I had converted a few FDn lenses to EF in the past (200mm 2.8, 35-105, 85mm 1.8) and it takes me a couple days or measuring, trimming and cutting to make sure everything was right.
When I got a FD 200mm macro and a FD 400mm 4.5 at a reasonable price, I decided to wait until the new polymer kits became available.
The conversion time took a little under 10 mins - for both. The only delay was a couple frozen screws that had to be drilled out. As said before, look at the videos. They explain everything. If you can use a screwdriver, you can make the conversion.
Now, back to playing with my "new to me" lenses!