The FD 50 L reportedly has better contrast wide open (and I believe it) but the nFD 50 1.2 is plenty sharp and the NEX files take processing well so I'm happy (and have more money to spend on something else than if I'd bought another red ring).
I just came across this ... what got me looking was that I caught a glimpse of what I think is a Canon FD 2X convertor at an estate sale last week for $55. I'm sure its still there if its something that would be of interest to you. and I was wondering the same thing ... are there adaptors for the FD lenses.
I've one Ed Mika .5mm Adapter and an adapter by the lens doctor; and am looking at Marty's adapter kits.
So far I've tested the following lenses with the EM .5mm adapter (Canon nFD lenses, unless noted)
- 50mm f3.5, no infinity focus, max distance 17ft, macro unchanged
- 55mm f2.5 (Vivitar), same as the 50mm above
- 100mm f4 macro, no infinity focus, max distance about 28ft, macro unchanged
- 200mm f4 macro, no infinity focus, max distance about 65ft, macro unchanged
- 300mm f4, no infinity focus but close, could not measure but it got me to the end of our street.
- 400mm f5.6, near infinity focus with a Canon and Sigma lens
- 500mm f8, infinity focus, Tamron, 1.5x and 2x T/Cs worked as well
I've also used an adapter from the Lens Doctor, it has glass in the adapter and thus preserves infinity focus but IQ is only acceptable when stopped down, but it's not fantastic, it also magnifies FL like a 1.25x T/C would. You can remove the glass to make it a simple extension tube, IQ is great; no change, but infinity focus is lost, removing/installing the glass is tricky but doable, when using this adapter in either configuration you loose 1 full stop.
I'm also seriously looking at the NEX bodies, kinda waiting for a FF version, but also looking to get in cheap with the 5n and adapter, at about $500.
I'm also waiting for someone to make an adapter for the EOS M and this would be my top pick if a FF NEX doesn't come out. Given it's ability to use all current AF lenses, being able to use my full compliment of Canon glass would be a bonus.
I just finished converting my FDn 50mm 1.4 to an EF mount using the new EdMika Canon FDn-EOS adapter kit. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/170911278282?
He has developed a new line of kits specifically for the Canon FDn (New FD) "bayonet" mount lenses. They don't fit the older Canon FD or FL "breechlock" lenses.
The conversion process is quite easy to do for the average person but you really should watch the how-to video first. &feature=player_embedded The video is 12:21 and that is about how long it took me to do the entire conversion.
This conversion allows full infinity focus without any optics so that image quality is preserved. On a Full-Frame camera there might be mirror interferance with certain lenses at infinity focus. At closer focus distances there is no interferance, and using Liveview eliminates the problem at longer focus distances. Even if you forget and do hit the mirror, it cause no damage to the lens or the mirror. With 1.6 and 1.3 crop cameras the mirror will never hit. (Apparently 1Ds FF cameras have a smaller mirror frame and also have no interference at infinity)
The kit consists of a really nice precision machined brass mount (fitted with a black sleeve to prevent light scattering) and a small machined peice of brass that is used to engage the aperture control after the old mount is removed. The mount comes equipped with a "Dandelion" fully programable Auto-Focus confirmation chip. Also included is a EF lens cap.
Here are some photos of the lens after conversion to the EF mount. There is a small indentation for a "lens Mount Index". (mounting alignment mark). I dabbed a bit of red paint on it so it is easier to spot.
GC5 wrote:
No reason to convert, just by a NEX:
..
Many reasons to convert lenses to EOS 5D and such:
- Not an additional camera system needed.
- 2.3 times more sensor area in 5D
- Original image angle, as designed
- Classic camera body. I could hold the Canon FD 300mm/2.8L (2,3kg) hanging on the EOS 5D mount.
- Optical viewfinder
Nex is a good choice for easy adapting, but no one mentions the new Canon M body. There should be independent adapter mounts available for that shortly after it debuts, much like the Nex and M4/3 bodies. I know there is an official Canon EF to M mount, but I mean a simple adapter without contacts.
Gunzorro wrote:
Nex is a good choice for easy adapting, but no one mentions the new Canon M body. There should be independent adapter mounts available for that shortly after it debuts, much like the Nex and M4/3 bodies. I know there is an official Canon EF to M mount, but I mean a simple adapter without contacts.
Gunz, I mentioned the M in my last post, see above, I am keeping an eye out for an adapter, as stated the M body and adapter would be quite nice, it would let us Canonites use all 3 Canon mounts and that would be a huge bonus. It's why I'm waiting, not doing any conversions yet, only testing adapters
John Mills wrote:
Has anyone here used this adapter with the FD 17mm?
Damn I wish I had not sold my FD 15mm fisheye now!
Does the adapter keep the lens to 1:1?
John, I didn't know the nFD 17mm went to 1:1?
The 17mm is in Ed's list, I need to check Marty's, you might email Ed about 1:1, I know his; like Marty's adapter kits, get you infinity focus. I'll check Marty's list and follow up this post. Here's Ed's ebay link for the 15 fish and 17mm ultra and other kits.
Jerry
John Mills wrote:
Has anyone here used this adapter with the FD 17mm?
Damn I wish I had not sold my FD 15mm fisheye now!
Does the adapter keep the lens to 1:1?
Do you mean 1:1 as in no teleconverter factor? Then yes, the lens will be exactly the same as it was before. The EdMika adapter replaces the original mount and has no teleconverter factor.
Most of the FD to EF adapters have glass optics to maintain infinity focus and have a small teleconverter factor.(1.25x)
