Canon EF or FD?

nho

nho

Well-known member
I'll be receiving a Letus Extreme with a Canon EF as well as FD mount in the next week or so and I have a few questions. is there a better route to go when choosing to use the EF mount or the FD mount? and then subsequently based on that decision, in regards to lenses, EF or FD? is the only disadvantage when using a zoom lens, say, 18-55, is that it won't be as fast? should I purchase fixed Canon lenses?
 
I've been using Canon FD lenses on my adapter (see nearby thread) and they work fabulous. They are super cheap on eBay, so I have a great set of primes - which help a lot. Fast lenses are of great importance when it comes to adapters because of all the light loss from the ground glass element and from the lens itself. You can get a great set of Canon FD's (6 or 7 lenses) for under $300 on eBay. So I'm with them alllllll the way.
 
Are you able to control the aperture on the EF lenses? If not, that should be a deciding factor, besides the other things. They do have a slightly different look, but since you're going through an adapter anyway I'm not sure you'd even notice. So yeah, FD is a great choice, and cheap. I use them sometimes even when I have expensive new stuff to work with.
 
seems like FD is the way to go. do any of you know of any disadvantages of them?
 
Imaging is quite soft, not sharp optics.

You have to stop down a bit to get rid of the softness.

The EF lenses are nice and Pricey the 50mm i.e is terrible. 1.4 NICE.
 
ollywood88 said:
Imaging is quite soft, not sharp optics.
Click to expand...

Not true. Some FD lenses are not as sharp but the very top of the line L lenses are exquisitely sharp. I own the 85mm f1.2L and the 135mm f2 and those lenses are SHARP when stopped down a few stops. The FD 50mm f1.4 is quite a nice lens as well. With EF lenses you're paying extra for similar optics, only with less focus throw, a worse focusing ring and more weight.

This screengrab for example was shot on a Letus Extreme with the Canon A1 on the 85mm f1.2L at f4. Note how sharp it is.
http://huyvu.smugmug.com/Other/Justify-the-Means/7/742931408_gpYSY-X3.jpg
 
Huy Vu said:
Not true. Some FD lenses are not as sharp but the very top of the line L lenses are exquisitely sharp. I own the 85mm f1.2L and the 135mm f2 and those lenses are SHARP when stopped down a few stops. The FD 50mm f1.4 is quite a nice lens as well. With EF lenses you're paying extra for similar optics, only with less focus throw, a worse focusing ring and more weight.

This screengrab for example was shot on a Letus Extreme with the Canon A1 on the 85mm f1.2L at f4. Note how sharp it is.
http://huyvu.smugmug.com/Other/Justify-the-Means/7/742931408_gpYSY-X3.jpg
Click to expand...

so when searching for lenses to buy I should be looking for Canon FD L lenses? how much more expensive are they would you say?
 
FD L lenses are not cheap, but they're a great value when compared to their EF or Nikon counterpart. The 85mm will run about $450, the 135mm (an L lens in everything but name) around $300, the 50mm f1.2L about $400 and the 24mm f1.4L about $1000. The 85mm and the 135 are the best of the bunch. I've conducted tests and found that the 50mm f1.4 and the 50 f1.2L is about identical in performance so no real need to go for the 1.2L.
 
I don't think you NEED the L series lenses. I feel that you guys may be giving the OP the wrong impression. Any Canon glass is quality stuff, so I don't think you should magnify such a small image quality difference that might not be terribly noticeable over such an immense price difference. When I was building my adapter and had to choose which lens series to go with for the mount and focal flange, I was really skeptical about FD lenses because they were older and some so cheap. Would they produce good images? The truth is they do.

I realize that the L series lenses might be better because they're faster and by default slightly sharper, but every time I see a 50mm 1.2L go for $400 to $500 on eBay, I take a look at my 50mm 1.8 that I got for $16.50 and smile. It's still a mighty fine lens. I couldn't imagine paying so much more and getting so little more for my money. Just my 2 cents on the issue.
 
ASchear said:
I don't think you NEED the L series lenses. I feel that you guys may be giving the OP the wrong impression. Any Canon glass is quality stuff, so I don't think you should magnify such a small image quality difference that might not be terribly noticeable over such an immense price difference. When I was building my adapter and had to choose which lens series to go with for the mount and focal flange, I was really skeptical about FD lenses because they were older and some so cheap. Would they produce good images? The truth is they do.

I realize that the L series lenses might be better because they're faster and by default slightly sharper, but every time I see a 50mm 1.2L go for $400 to $500 on eBay, I take a look at my 50mm 1.8 that I got for $16.50 and smile. It's still a mighty fine lens. I couldn't imagine paying so much more and getting so little more for my money. Just my 2 cents on the issue.
Click to expand...

As much as I would like to buy L series lenses, because I want the very, very best image quality, your advice is right on the money for me at the moment because I'm no position (college student) to drop $400+ on a single lens. So for now, and I'm happy to hear that Canon FD (non L-series) lenses are still really great glass, I'll be going for the regular Canon FD lenses.

Thanks for all your responses everyone, it's been greatly helpful.
 
Canon FD will do, obviously not as sharp but for the price and your situation there great. Experiment with lenses makes you a better DP when you choose lens selection.

Too many people just buying equipment for the sake because so and so says its great. Some old great manual lenses out there.

Most features are shot at t.4 and some films only use one lens and rely on Mise- En scene.

But i am a student too, Just experiment some great lenses out there my friend.

A lot of people will say get cp2, get arri primes etc. But its because they have the money and option.

Its like a millionaire saying to you a Ferrai over a ford.

Good Luck hope it goes well and post some test footage on here,
 
thanks for the info and kind words ollywood88. really hoping I'll learn a lot from getting this adapter, lenses, etc.
 
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