Using a canon 300mm L 2.8 FD (with adapter)

den

den

Suspended / Banned
Messages
9,607
Name
Dennis
Edit My Images
No
As above , i have the chance to purchase this lens ,i have been assured that it can work on a 50d with the adapter ,i believe i will lose auto focus ,not sure if i can stop down or not or stuck at 2.8 all the way through,any help or advice on using this lens would be apreciated .Thanks
 
I would think if you use it with a 1.4 convertor then it will still Auto focus but it will be F4 and not F2.8. Not sure if it will auto focus with a 2x convertor mind you.
 
How can it Auto focus? They're manual focus, to the best of my knowledge there are no motors in FD lenses. HTH
 
Sorry never noticed the FD part not sure then never used one of them :)
 
Ive used one and rather liked it. Just make sure it has the little lens so it will still focus to infinity
 
Thanks for the reply,could you please confirm that auto focus is not available ,and i will have to stay in 2.8.Thanks
 
The problem with using any FD lens on an EOS camera is that you need an adaptor and there are two sorts.

A simple adaptor with no lens. You'll be able use the lens but it will no longer focus to infinity.

An adaptor with lens. There;'s a small lens in these adaptors which restores the infinity focus, but unfortunately it won't be a high quality lens element and image quality will be quite badly degraded.

If infinity focus isn't that important to you - for example you intend to use it for wildlife, you'll probably be better served by the simple (no lens type) adaptor.
 
den said:
Thanks for the reply,could you please confirm that auto focus is not available ,and i will have to stay in 2.8.Thanks
Click to expand...

Auto focus is definitely not available - the FD mount is the one found on manual focus canon cameras before the Autofocusing Eos series came along so the lenses dont have AF motors

You don't have to stay at the maximum aperture but is possible (depending on the adaptor) that you may lose your connectivity with the lens and thus the TTL exposure system and if so you'll have to stop the lens down by hand and set the exposure in M

Frankly my opinion is that unless its very cheap this lens isnt worth the hassle (at least as far as putting it on an eos body goes - if you could pick up an old FD mount camera like a T90 it would be good for F&C shooting)
 
Last edited:
How much is the lens? I've no doubt it's a cracking lens but unfortunately it's been overtaken by technology and they do still tend to command quite high prices. It will be difficult to use compared to an AF lens compatible with your EOS body and there are are probably better alternatives for the money this lens would cost.
 
Hi , i have been offered the lens with a adapter for £650, i think i will stick to looking for a 300mm f4 is.
 
Last edited:
there are several on ebay for about 200 quid which is still more than i'd pay (and some dreamer in the states is asking £825 - which is ridiculous when you can get a s/h eos mount 3rd party one for not much more)
 
Last edited:
den said:
Hi , i have been offered the lens with a adapter for £650
Click to expand...

Absolutely bonkers money - see my post above about ebay prices

for example theres a sigma 120-300 f2.8 eos mount lens here currently standing at about £550 - you'd be better off bidding for that (although i suspect it will wind up arround the 800 mark)
 
Last edited:
den said:
Hi , i have been offered the lens with a adapter for £650, i think i will stick to looking for a 300mm f4 is.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the older 300 f/4L non-IS if you can do without the IS. Still a cracking lens and can be picked up very cheap for what it is.
 
Last edited:
den said:
Hi , i have been offered the lens with a adapter for £650, i think i will stick to looking for a 300mm f4 is.
Click to expand...
I think you'd be wise tbh.

For a bit more money you could be looking at a used 100-400L or a 400 5.6L - both with more reach - or as you say - the 300mm f/4 and you could still use that with a 1.4X TC . ;)
 
Thanks all , i have the 100-400 and i will be honest it is a bit hit and miss with quality but a good versatlile lens,i have had a 400mm prime but i missed IS and i am a bit hooked on primes ,i missed out on a 300mm f4 non is with a 1x4 a few weeks ago ,i think micoli bought it,should have bought it but they do come up on here .....
 
There's a 300 f/4 on the bay at this mo' standing at £500. I think this is by far your better option. The FD whilst brilliant in it's day, is manual everything at a very inflated price.

All the best with whatever you decide.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top