red dots on 50mm lens

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I recently bought a second hand canon AE1 program with so FD lenses. One of the lenses was a canon 50mm f1.8 FD with the "new" mounting type (see image here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Canon_FD_lens_rear.jpg).<br>

The lens looked new and the person selling the camera told me that it was her mother's so wasn't sure how often it as been used.<br>

I has a quick look at home and came to the conclusion that it probably hasn't been used at all. there is no signs on the mount and everything is very shiny.<br>

I tried to put the lens on the camera and couldn't do it. I tried on my A1 and still couldn't attach it.<br>

I had a look at the lens and understood immediately, the 2 red dots on the lens, the one on the side and the one on the mount of the lens, are not at the same position (or in line) but there is an approximate 45 degree angle between them. As a result, the little dent that is supposed to insert in the camera mount was not in line either and the lens can't be inserted all the way in and so I can't rotate it to lock it.</p>

<p>Because the lens seems brand new, I was wondering if it is something that is known about this type of FD lenses and if it worth having it repaired considering how cheep these lenses are on ebay?</p>

<p>I should mention that I tried to unscrew the 3 little screw near the lens mount but they are very tight with no sign of damage on the paint.</p>

<p>Thanks,<br>

David</p>

<p>Move the aperture setting ring to the A position and it should mount just fine, then get a camera instruction manual.</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply but I'm already with the aperture on A.<br>

I have other FD lenses and I'm quite familiar with this kind of lenses.<br>

My problem is different. if you look at the photo in link I put in my original message, you will see 2 red dots on the lens that are used as markers when mounting a lens. one on the external part of the lens near where you set the aperture to A. and another one on the black plastic that goes inside the camera body (facing you on the photo).<br>

when these 2 dots are in line, the 2 metallic dents that will lock the camera are all positioned in such a way that they look like 1.<br>

In my case the 2 dots are not in line and so are the 2 dents. meaning that the lens can't be inserted fully inside the camera mount and I can't rotate it clock wise to lock it.<br>

everything else is in the correct position.</p>

<p>Thanks<br>

David</p>

<p>David, your assumption is correct, that the two red dots on a New FD lens must be aligned in order to mount the lens. First of all, DO NOT LOOSEN ANY SCREWS. It sounds like your lens was somehow left in a mounted orientation. What you need to do is (a) press and hold in the chrome lens lock release button while (b) rotating the back of the lens (the raised section with the aperture levers) counterclockwise until the red dots are aligned. You should feel and/or hear a click when the red dots come into alignment.</p>

<p>Addendum: As you've noted, having the aperture set at the green "A" should not be a problem since the Canon A1 supports all AE modes.</p>

<p>Fixed now.<br>

Thanks Gordon, you were right. I followed your instructions and I have now all the dots alined and the lens can be mounted on my camera.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.<br>

David</p>

<p>Sure it's two years later...<br>

I had a similar problem today and wanted to thank you for the solution!<br>

What I have is a new Sony a6000 and an adapter for my old FD lenses. This is all new to me. Somehow after removing my 50/1.4 (new style) from the adapter the dots had become askew. Now they're fine.<br>

Thanks again,<br>

Steve</p>