Hey everyone,
I'm normally a Nikon shooter, but I thought I'd pop on over here to ask you knowledgeable Canon guys a quick question since I'm clueless about Canon gear. This weekend while rummaging through a local garage sale in my neighborhood I spotted a Canon FD 800mm 5.6L with a Canon F-1 attached on sale for $5. I almost fell over when I saw it and couldn't believe it. Both the lens and camera were covered in what looked to be years of dust. I took it home and after an hour and half of cleaning them I realized that both were in great working condition. Suffice it to say that I was jumping off the walls in joy. Looks like I just might need to pick up a used Canon dSLR to play around with my new find!
My question now is from what I read so far I would need an adapter of some sort to convert the FD mount to an EOS one if I wanted to use a dSLR, correct? However to maintain the infinity focus I would need an adapter with a glass insert as well? Anyone use any FD adapters that have a quality insert that plays well with FD lenses?
- Tom
UPDATE (8/4): Just tried out the 800mm with Ed Mika's FD to EF adapter (more info here) on a Canon 40D and the results ROCK. I took some quick test shots at 5.6 that can be seen at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvynLEr. All photos with the lens are straight from the camera no PP. Also in other news, I think I might need to get a manual focusing screen for my 40D, I suck at manual focusing.
You will not easily find a Canon branded FD mount adapter. The ones you do fine will be terribly expensive.
The cheaper ones tend to be pretty cruddy by all accounts.
However, if you're handy, you can rebuild and convert the mount to EOS. There are several tutorials on the internet that provide some information on the conversion process, though it's not for the faint of heart.
You may also want to consider a Micro 4/3 camera, like the Panasonic GH-1 or a Sony NEX camera. Both are mirrorless and can accept FD lenses without need to convert.
You have managed to get the deal of the century. FD to EOS does require a glass adapter. The official canon made one acts as a mild teleconverter ~1.2x if I recall correctly, and costs about 2/3s of a stop. It's also extremely rare and can cost $600-1000, if memory serves. There are a number of third party adapters, but anything which preserves infinity focus will require glass in it. However, I recall reading that the 600 & 800 FDs are convertable straight to EOS if you're willing to play around with the mount. There was a thread on POTN about it somewhere, I'd advise trying to search for it.
Also it seems a straight FD to EOS conversion via the mount might be my best bet. I figure since I got the lens and body for 5 bucks, I could splurge on the mount.
I converted an FD to EOS one time. I'm fairly handy, broke out the sander, drill, etc. but it wasn't that hard. It was easy to get it to where it was useable but didn't have infinity focus. The sanding is what was needed to get it precisely to infinity focus. I would go that way instead of a glass converter or would get a 4/3rds system if all else fails.
wow. Get a NEX body, cheaper than the Canon adapter. Great find, although I don't have a clue as to what I would do with an 800, sure would be fun, though.
timpdx wrote:
wow. Get a NEX body, cheaper than the Canon adapter.
That's exactly what you should do. Its a tripod lens anyways. The NEX has a 1.6X crop sensor, similar IQ to Nikon or Canon 1.6X crop dSLR's. And then take some shots of the moon.
UPDATE (8/4): Just tried out the 800mm with Ed Mika's FD to EF adapter (more info 