Canon FD aperture change

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dadoboy

Well-known member
Hi, I need some help with some Canon FD lenses I just bought.
I have sets of Nikons and Minoltas, but during a recent attack of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), I bought a nFD 35mm F2 and nFD 85mm F1.8 from KEH. But I don't even own a Canon FD mount camera.

When I try to change the aperture on the collar, the iris blades don't move.
Do you really have to mount the lens on a camera in order to operate the iris, is there some way to trick it so that I can test aperture on the lens without mounting it? Thanks.
 
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OK Huy. I guess I'll be looking on Ebay.

I gotta say, compared to the Nikon 35mm F2 Ai and Ais, and this nFD Canon 35mm F2, the Minolta 35mm MC Rokkor X F1.8 has about the best mechanics and housing, and focus marks of all of them. Optically, I don't know if its any better, but its build quality, like other MC Rokkors, is pretty amazing and its focus is throw and marks are long and more defined than any other still lens I've come across for that focal length. Its also pretty rare and a bit more expensive, costing over $150 usually on Ebay.

All of the MCs, the 50mm 1.4, 35mm 1.8, 28mm 2.5 SI, 85MM F1.7, 100mm F2.5, 135mm F2.8 PF, all MCs are really on par with the build quality of Nikon AI lenses.

Unfortunately the prices for Minolta MC/MDs is now about the same as the Canon FDs and in some cases (like the 85mm F1.7 and the 35mm F1.8), it is higher for the equivalent.

I sold my MInolta 85mm F1.7 for only $200 a few years ago which was stupid, and I decided not to pay $400 to buy it back again so I opted for the Canon version.
 
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Do you really have to mount the lens on a camera in order to operate the iris, is there some way to trick it so that I can test aperture on the lens without mounting it? Thanks.
Click to expand...
There is a lever(for lens stop-down) at the rear end of the FD lens. You push it away from the resting position, hold the lever while turning the aperture ring. If the aperture mechanic isn't malfunction, it will work as expected.
 
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