Lenses to buy and an appeture ?

When turning the apperture ring on an FD lens that is not attached to a body

should the appeture open and close?

 

What lens types should I buy in the following focal range

 

24mm

 

50mm already got a 50/1.4SSC

 

80mm

 

100mm-150mm

 

200mm

 

300mm

 

400mm

 

As there is a wide vaiety of makes on these ranges what are the best ones to

buy of the smaller focal length looking at under $100 for each lens.

 

What about zoom lenses are they any good or should I stick to primes. I've just

dumped all me EF gear so FD is all new to me and quite confusing as there are 3-

5 different 50/1.4 or 24mm lenses.

Oopps $100 for each of the smaller lenses IE under 100mm, I know that for 100mm and above I'll have to spend more money thats no problem. For example 300/4 might cost me $200.

The aperture should not normally open and close when the lens is not mounted on the body.

 

Here are my general lens suggestions. First of all, I suggest that in most cases, you get the Canon brand lens, as they're not all that much more expensive and are generally considerably better.

 

24mm-The f2 is great, but probably over your $100 budget. The 2.8 is quite good, and should be well within our $100 budget.

 

50mm-If you already have a 1.4, I'd suggest a 3.5 Macro as the next logical addition. It's a dead sharp lens, and can in some cases be a replacement for the 1.4. Keep your 1.4, though, as there are cases where the 3.5 of the macro is just too slow.

 

80mm-I think the only option in your price range is the 85mm 1.8. It's a great lens that's somewhat soft when wide open(by design), but sharpens up really nicely as you stop it down. There are two other main 85mm options, both of which are great, but both of which are well out of your price range.

 

100-150mm-My favorite lens in this range is the 135mm f2. I can't say enough good things about this lens.

 

200mm-I like the internal focusing 200mm 2.8. I'm told that all of the 200mm 2.8s are equal as far as quality, however the internal focusing version has a big advantage in convenience.

 

400mm-The only option really to consider is the 400mm 4.5. This is not a small lens, but it's still manageable and relatively inexpensive. The other option is the 2.8, however it's a 14-pound beast that will set you back several thousand dollars, and for most photographers doesn't offer any advantage over the 4.5

Take a look at www.photozone for FD lens comparisons and analyses. Then go here for more info: http://www.wildpicture.com/pages/photography/fdsystem/fdsystem.htm.

1. No. The FD mount has a pin that prevents the aperture from moving unless it is mounted to the camera, or has a "macro hood" attached to a reversed lens.

 

2. All of them! You can't have too many lenses. And don't forget to add a fisheye to the list, and a really long tele...