Does EF-s mount help in FD-EOS conversion?

Probably not, I suspect. But it can't hurt to ask.

 

I may be way off, but I thought that the problem with Fd lenses on

EOS cameras (aside from loss of automation etc.) with a non-glass

converter (like the genuine Canon macro FD-EOS converter) was that

the FD lens could not focus to infinity because it couldn't get close

enough to the film place. (If I'm way off on that, please be nice).

So, my thick head is thinking that if the EF-s mount allows EF-S

lenses to stick further inside the camera body, might there be a way

to design a non-optical adaptor that would allow older FD lenses to

retain infinity focus on EF-S bodies (like the Digital Rebel, for

instance)?

 

As I said, I suspect this is highly unlikely. Surely some engineer

would have thought of this quite a while ago. But it never hurts to

ask.

Nope, won't help. The geometry of the lens mount itself is the same, the only difference with EFS lenses is how far they can stick inside the body.

<b>Jean-Baptiste Queru wrote:</b> <i>Nope, won't help. The geometry of the lens mount itself is the same, the only difference with EFS lenses is how far they can stick inside the body.</i><br>

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Actually I wonder about this...<br>

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I've never used FD lenses so can't compare the mount sizes at all, BUT... If the FD mount is physically smaller than the EOS mount, couldn't an adapter be made that would allow the rear element of the lens to sink farther back into the camera?<br>

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It wouldn't need to be <i>much</i> farther back, maybe only a few mm? With the smaller mirrors and different mirror action of the 300D and 20D, it seems this might be possible.<br>

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Again, it would really depend on if the FD lens mount is a fair amount smaller than the EOS one. And there might still be rather large issues with aperture settings and the like.<br>

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Interesting thought though!<br>

<br>

Ian<br>

--<br>

Ian Hobday<br>

Osaka, Japan<br>

<a href="http://hobday.net/photos" target="_blank">http://hobday.net/photos</a> (Opens in a new window.)

Nope, still won't work. If you push an FD lens against an EOS camera (EFS or not) you still don't get infinity focus - the lens-side FD mount wants to be very close to the film plane, closer than the camera-side EOS flange allows. The only way to get closer is to saw off the rear of the FD lens.

Well, I've heard of people hacking on lenses to get to fit--for instance, hacking away at the 18-55 ef-s to fit it on a normal EOS cameray. So, even if hacking was necessary, might it be possible to modify the lens in such a way as to fit?

A <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=005yRD">perrenial question</a>.<br/>

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Specifications from the Canon Camera Museum:<br/>

EOS mount - 44mm flange back, 54mm inner mount diameter<br/>

FD mount - 42mm flange back, 48mm inner mount diameter<br/>

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Out of curiosity, I removed the rear casing from a beat-up old FD 50mm, and I was able to sink the lens deeper into an EF mount. I didn't take it any farther than that, but you'd need to fabricate a thin physical adapter for precise placement, and you'd need a solution for aperture control. I don't want to be discouraging, but it just doesn't seem worth it to me. Leave the FD lenses in circulation for FD camera users.

For a winter project I am considering taking an older (cheap) EOS model and replacing the mount with an FD mount. I don't dare remove the mount on my wife's Elan IIe! I suspect I will have 2 major problems and one minor one. I still may not get the mount back far enough because of the EOS mirror box design since there will have to be room for the pins sticking out of the FD lenses (of course the pins could always be removed if I am not going to use them on FD bodies). Even if I achieve infinity focus there will be the question of how to get the lens into stopped down metering mode (again perhaps there is a permanent lens adaptation once I know I won't be using FD bodies anymore). Lastly, I think, are the FD mount screws that will not align to the EOS body, which could end up being the most expensive problem.

 

 

The last time I tried to determine the lens to film plane distance required for the EOS body/FD lenses, I figured the FD lens would have to move quite a distance back somewhere in the range of 4-6mm - not an easy task!

 

 

You will all think I'm crazy but I have no use for autofocus (after 20 years they still can't get it right!) and I have FD lenses I could never possibly afford in the EF mount. Take care all!

Personally, I feel that if you don't mind using a manual focus lens, you might as well just get Contax Zeiss lenses. Many of them are fairly cheap used, and they are probably even better than Canon lenses. Best of all, you don't have to perform any complex lens surgery.

I have two canon FD lenses; 50.00 mm 1.2 and Canon zoom FD 70-200 macro.In december I will to buy a new EOS 20-D.So I want to know wich converter I have to buy for the lenses?

Thanks a lot.

Cesar Pinedo

If you are interested in using FD lenses and want to put them on a modern design camera body, then why not buy a mint S/H T90.

This camera did almost everything that the EOS 1 series cameras do without AF.

 

A T90 and film scanner would be a much cheaper alternative, I don't understand why anyone would buy a 1000 dollar camera to only use a percentage of it's functions, just to save money on lenses - that don't fit? Just buy the right body!

 

Is my logic twisted here?

Hi Phil.

 

 

A film EOS camera is not the goal a Digital EOS camera is. If one can figure out how to mount FD lenses on a film EOS it means they can be mounted on a DSLR. We know that film is on the decline, how fast we're not sure. I have to suspect that over the next 10 years film is going to be on an even more serious decline, with possible supply and processing difficulties not to mention increased expenses. Coincidental with that we have to assume (pray) that the price of high quality DSLR's will also be declining. I am sure my T-90, that I bought hot off the rack 18-1/2 years ago, will get me through this long term transition, but I have to think about the end result.

 

 

The Zeiss idea is not a bad one and I seriously considered switching to Nikon manual glass but it still sells for a premium over Canon FD for obvious reasons. I will invest in the Canon converter for my long L glass but that does not help the other glass.

 

 

As for the post above about the 50/1.2 and zoom there is currently no viable way to mount them on a DSLR. I have tried the cheap FD to EOS converters that are readily available but you lose way too much sharpness and contrast.

Are Contax-Zeiss lenses adaptable/compatible with Canon EOS mount?

No, but as someone said here or in another thread when Canon designed the EF mount they made it so just about all lenses from every other manufacturer could be adapted to mount on it...they just forgot their own FD lenses! Contax/Zeiss and Nikon mount converters are very easy to find and work extremely well from what I have read.