Is buying an old FD Lens to use on 60D worth it?
- Thread starter jpeele
- Start date
FD's don't work on eos.
Why not get a 50 F1.4 to use on the 60D. Its a fantastic lens at 1/4 the price the 50mm L series.
Why not get a 50 F1.4 to use on the 60D. Its a fantastic lens at 1/4 the price the 50mm L series.
I appreciate the short response, but not too fond of the long one. lol I've done too many searches to count and there just seems to be no definitive answer. I guess my question would be what is the difference between the 1.4 and the 1.2 that would justify that much of a price difference. I want the best and certainly wouldn't mind paying for the 1.2, but I would like someone to share their experience on the difference. Thanks.
DavidBeier
Veteran
There isn't a huge difference between 1.2 and 1.4 but FD lenses won't work on modern Canon cameras.
I hate to be a broken record on these forums but vintage Nikons are a great choice on EoS cameras. They adapt beautifully and can be found for some great prices. I was just at the Bargain Camera Show in Pasadena today and I picked up a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 for $70. Glass was perfect, images are sharp, and I love the build quality (older lenses feel much sturdier).
I don't know if it's as sharp as the Canon 50mm f1.4 but I know I like saving over $300 on a purchase
Oh, on that note, the vendor I got it from at the camera show (this adorable old Russian guy who's there every month), also had a Nikkor 55mm f1.2 in pristine condition which he was selling for about $210. Granted it's probably not as sharp as the Canon L-Glass but my guess is that it's pretty close considering it's $1300 CHEAPER!
I hate to be a broken record on these forums but vintage Nikons are a great choice on EoS cameras. They adapt beautifully and can be found for some great prices. I was just at the Bargain Camera Show in Pasadena today and I picked up a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 for $70. Glass was perfect, images are sharp, and I love the build quality (older lenses feel much sturdier).
I don't know if it's as sharp as the Canon 50mm f1.4 but I know I like saving over $300 on a purchase
Oh, on that note, the vendor I got it from at the camera show (this adorable old Russian guy who's there every month), also had a Nikkor 55mm f1.2 in pristine condition which he was selling for about $210. Granted it's probably not as sharp as the Canon L-Glass but my guess is that it's pretty close considering it's $1300 CHEAPER!
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Well, it is my understanding that Canon FD lenses can be adapted to EOS cameras, BUT, the adaptors need an additional optical element in them so that they can focus to the EOS camera sensor. This additional optical element adds softness, and decreases the sensitivity of the lens. I have seen blog posts around where folks like the "Character" of FD lenses on the EOS cameras with adaptors, but I really don't see the point. I have to second the advice that you seek out vintage manual Nikon lenses if you want a good set of glass for the 60D. I shot with the T2i for about a year, and put together a set of Nikon lenses for it and I have to say that going with Nikon lenses was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made. I just got a Sony FS100 and every one of my Nikon lenses work great with the camera. None of my Canon lenses do (Until the very expensive Birger mount is released anyway). The Nikon F mount lens is the most popular lens format ever produced. They are very, very plentiful and, even though the rise of the use of HD-DSLRs for video has driven prices up since I have been buying them, they are still the best bang for the buck, for lenses, that I have seen, IMHO. Also, the Nikon F mount has a flange to focal plan distance which is relatively long so they work with adaptors on most other camera mount systems. What is more important, With the rise of large sensor video cameras, the Nikon F mount is going to adaptable to almost any camera mount we see coming down the pike. Buying manual Nikon F mount lenses now, to use with your 60D, means that you are future proofing you lens selection. A manual Nikon lens that you buy for your 60D now, will work on the Panasonic AF100, the Sony FS100 and F3 and all of the RED cameras that I have seen proposed. I can not say that about Canon FD lenses, or any other still camera lenses. Do yourself a favor and get a set of manual Nikon lenses for your 60D. You will use them for a long time. Once you have a work horse set of Nikons, then you can experiment with other vintage lenses.
About the Canon FD adapter. I had one w/ the optical element. IT did indeed have character, Check out my website http://timurcivan.com/ click "stills" then the Dream gallery. those photos were shot with the adapter and a 85mm FD Lseries F1.2., and the CU photos are with a 200mm F2.8 SSC.
DavidBeier
Veteran
What he said.
The future proof thing has been a BIG factor in my Nikon selection. Right now I'm just using the 60D but one day I may decide to get an AF100 or FS100 and I have friends with F3s and REDs. Now that I'm put together a set of primes (24mm 2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 105mm f2.5), I know that I'll have this kit for use on any project I need. I've been on a lot of shoots with the F3, AF100, or DSLR where they rent a set of Zeiss primes and I've seen even student project spend $500-$1000 for just a week or two with those primes. Maybe I'll want to do that on a larger project but it's nice to know I'll already have some great lenses around when I need them. The fact that many of these babies have lasted 20+ years and work great is very encouraging.
$40 FD adptor mount from ebay. Use it all the time with canon FD lenses on our 7d,550d.
You get the vintage prime awesomeness. Everything is manually operated for obvious reasons.
Now this whole discussion against FD mounts and future proofing is debateable.
I would personally invest in FD primes used on EOS bodys, than 'future proofing' and getting wizbang EF primes.
Nikkon and old pentax adaptors to EOS bodys also allow you to access the arsenal that is out there for TRUE film making.
Again, if you want to be able to 'future' proof yourself, go ahead and invest in latest technological lenses. But ask any true DSLR film maker , or FD users who have moved to EOS bodies, and they will tell you that older FD and nikkon, pentax primes are they best.
f1.2 to f1.4 is one big stop in difference. waht is the difference? probably not that much on paper, but that one stop combined in low light and native iso, can make the difference in grain/look you are after.
You get the vintage prime awesomeness. Everything is manually operated for obvious reasons.
Now this whole discussion against FD mounts and future proofing is debateable.
I would personally invest in FD primes used on EOS bodys, than 'future proofing' and getting wizbang EF primes.
Nikkon and old pentax adaptors to EOS bodys also allow you to access the arsenal that is out there for TRUE film making.
Again, if you want to be able to 'future' proof yourself, go ahead and invest in latest technological lenses. But ask any true DSLR film maker , or FD users who have moved to EOS bodies, and they will tell you that older FD and nikkon, pentax primes are they best.
f1.2 to f1.4 is one big stop in difference. waht is the difference? probably not that much on paper, but that one stop combined in low light and native iso, can make the difference in grain/look you are after.
DavidBeier
Veteran
It seems a bit odd though since the supposed advantages of prime lenses is that they're faster and sharper. Having to use an adapter that costs you light and softens the image seems to negate that. Of course, I've never played with the FD ones on EOS bodies.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that a half stop difference rather than a full stop? A full stop would be an f1 to a f1.4 unless I'm mistaken.
Its half stop.