10-20-2014 02:08 PM
I recently bought a used Canon FD 85mm f/1.2 L Lens and did not realize it would not fit on my canon 60D. Is there some sort of adapter that I can purchase to make this lense compatible with my camera?
10-24-2014 09:16 AM
"I will probably invest in the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 - per your suggestions."
This is a fantastic lens. I love mine. This thing is scary sharp and many claim it is the best 85mm ever made. Notwithstanding the old FD version. This is one in a line from Sigma and all are at the top of the game. A 35mm, 50mm amd the 85mm
10-24-2014 10:07 AM
"Sorry, I don't mean to be difficult or disrespectful. I just don't understand how a glass-less adapter or mount change affects the image quality of the lens. Could you please explain? I must be missing something."
Oh, Mike, no disrespect taken. I didn't mean that. We just have a differing of opinions on this topic. And I must confess I have never tried to use an FD lens on a mirror-less camera. For one thing I don't have a mirror-less camera. They are so poor in the first place I suppose one would never see any degradation. So I concede that may be a viable solution.
Since I have such a larger inventory of FD lenses, I believe I have hit on every possible way to convert one to EF. In all the time and money I have spent, I have concluded the Ed Mika to be the only one that is even close to being successful. It is glass-less and it is expensive. It does work fairly well on the big whites and it works very well on the FD 500mm f8 reflex lens.
Right off any adapter with glass in it isn't even in the game. They are horrid. All of them.
Now for the glass-less versions:
Loss of infinity focus is a big problem
Centering of the lens with the camera. Another big problem that is really a deal breaker.
And lastly is tilt or not being parallel.
On the not so good but livable is loss of all AF and AE. Add to the fact most DSLR's don't have great manual focus ability and there you are.
You know enough about cameras to know any one of the above factors is a real problem. If the lens is tilted you can tilt the camera to compensate but if it is no longer centered you may not be able to stop it down much or vice versa. The best of the glass-less adapters, Ed Mika in my opinion, has a very tightly controlled tolerance. But even it may require (it does on most FD lenses) you to take the lens apart and make adjustments to get infinity focus.
And lastly, I am also in a disagreement with the assessment of the IQ of the FD 85mm lens. And in fact with all the FD's for that matter. They were great in their day but they are from the past and they need to stay in the past. Sometimes the lofty claims are from fond memories and not from actual lab tests.
Tell me you didn't really suggest one get a EOS-M did you?
10-24-2014 10:54 AM - edited 10-24-2014 11:04 AM
Yes, I did recommend the EOS M. I have never used one, but since it has the same 18mp sensor as many of Canon's other APS-C cameras, I assume it should have the same image quality as other Canon crop cameras. All the reviews I have read seems to say so as well.
As for "glass-less adapters"....
I can assure you that EdMika makes outstanding precise adapters and mount conversion kits. His workmanship is beyond question. Any of his adapters or mount conversion kits will be perfectly centered, parralell, and be able to achieve infinity focus.
Edmika Fd to EF adapters for telephoto lenses http://www.canonrumors.com/tech-articles/fd-fl-lenses-on-your-ef-body/
EdMika FDn to EF conversion kits http://www.canonrumors.com/?s=edmika
Another Craftsman is Jim Buchanan. His work is equally outstanding and he has many satified customers.
http://www.jimbuchananspace.com/Camera_Services.html
The Lens Doctor in the UK is also well regarded. http://www.thelensdoctor.co.uk/page5.html
I have personally converted 3 lenses (one FL and two FDn) lenses using EdMika hardware and they have all worked flawlessly on my SL1, 7D, 5D Mk II and 5D Mk III.
Here are some of my posts on POTN descibing the process of mount conversion using the EdMika kits:
FL 55mm 1.2 EF conversion http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=13273942#post13273942
FDn 50mm 1.4 Brass EF conversion http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=15056502#post15056502
FDn 50mm 1.4 Polymer EF conversion http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=16760793#post16760793
I think if you were to convert one (or more) of your FD lenses to an EF mount, using one of the methods I mentioned above, you might be pleasantly surprised.
10-24-2014 05:49 PM
Mike, oh Mike, my boy. I have thried this way and many others way more than 3. I guess we both agree that the cheap glass adapters are trash?
The only Ed Mika lens that I "successfully" adapted was my FD 600mm. The others were all, lets say more challenging. The 600mm does work really well. If you can see to focus it. It does have a beyond infinity feature so focus to infinity was not an issue but this is now lost. It alos works pretty good on the FD 500mm f8 reflex. But there again it is so fark as to make focus a real problem.
If you want to go this route, go for it. I on the other hand am content to let the past reccede into history an fond memories.
BTW, even Canon realized the EOS-M was an egg. Didn't last too long did it. They are just not yet ready for prime time. But if one is your cup of tea, don't forget the cream and sugar. May have the same sensor but that is where it ends.
Thnaks for the links but I have read it all a long time ago.
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