FD lenses on my 40D - First experiments

[seth]

I have a few FD lenses from when I used to use an AE-1 I inherited from my dad who was a keen photographer. They rarely get used now but having come across "The Lens Doctor's" adapter I thought I'd give them a go, especially as they are possibly better in some respects than my EF lenses. It came today but I've had to wait till tonight to give it a go - Just focused on a watch on my work bench.

First lens: 50mm F1:4 Canon.

This is at F2

At F1.4 it seems to go a bit soft. Don't know if that's down to the lens itself or possibly because thats as wide as the adapter itself? Will be interesting to try it in proper light as I quite like the dreamy softness is some ways.

Next lens is a Vivitar 90mm F2.8 macro. I think this was at F5

Zoomed right in and F11.

The specs are not dirt or dust but bubbles in the enamel. Impossible to see with the naked eye. This is a 100% crop

The adapter includes electronics to utilise the cameras focus confirm but I found that for these I got better results using the live view. Perhaps on larger objects the focus confirm will prove more worthwhile.

I also have a 28mm F2.8 Canon but probably won't bother with that as my Tamron F2.8 covers that focal length. I will try the Vivitar 200mm F3.5 though.

 

[seth]

200mm works OK.

Definitely getting a shallow DOF than I'm used to. Cluttered image but I like how out of focus the foreground road surface is.

Back on with the 50mm. F2 is really nice.

but I don't think I can realistically use F1.4 I'll see if I can find out why.

Back to F2

 

[Liam]

They look good to me! Where did you get the adapter / how much?

 

[CraigF]

They look ok but whether they would have a lot of mileage i guess depends on price etc.
The lens at f1.4 looks not far off a soft focus lens. Would be interesting to see a few portraits with the lens at that DOF.

 

[Scarecrow]

For all that people knock the use of adapters with FD lenses on an EOS camera, I too have found that there are times when the combination can provide more than acceptable results.

If you don't mind hunting around on flea bay, FD lenses can be picked up for absolute peanuts. I managed to acquire a virtually mint 70-210 for £27. I bought it for use on my old film cameras, but the fact that I can also use it on my digital cameras is just a bonus.

 

[seth]

The adapter is this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330467828417

More expensive than far eastern versions but I preffered to get something locally sourced (and manufactured?)


Craig, my daughter was not being cooperative this morning so I wasn't able to get a decent portrait type shot with that softness at 1.4. I haven't yet had a chance to try the F1.4 without the adapters lens in in case that is having an effect. Also when focusing on close up with a wide aperture it seems that the AF confirm is a little out. For static tripod work I think I'd just do it manually using live view but for smaller aperture work I think it will be just fine.

Scarecrow, my feeling too. As it is I have these lenses that are basically gathering dust but I reckon the 200mm F3.5 ought to be sharper under certain circumstances than the EF 100-300 4.5-5.6 I have. I won't bother getting any FD zoom lenses but if I come across some cheap primes I may well pick them up now I can use them. I can use the Macro lens now, more cheaply than buying an EF one and that could well be useful in my work.

 

[CraigF]

No problem m8.
Will keep an eye out for one from you in the near future.

 

[vaizki]

For macro work, I'd imagine that the IQ is visibly better without the bit of glass in the adapter. It's only there for the infinity focus (as the flange distance of FD mount is shorter than that of EF mount).

If you have a lot of FD glass, consider getting a 4/3 sensor camera, it has a flange focal distance of 39mm or so, and will take a lot of old glass - including FD - with a simple mechanical adapter and maintain infinity focus.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

That looks acceptable. Increase the contrast and clarity a little bit and they are good.