"Old Dog" FD vs Fast Dogs

Took my "old dog" FD 200mm/f4 to the races recently. Wish I had a new

Canon "Albino" like the Pros had. Oh well, this will have to do.

 

I'm wondering if AF in the EOS lenses can pick the focus point as

fast or better than a manual in this sort of situation? I'll never

know. Regards.

 

<center><img src="http://gallery.photo.net/photo/4135590-

md.jpg"></center>

It's dependent somewhat on which EOS body and which EF lens. But all in all and in most all situations, the AF is probably faster than the user. That's why I sacrificed my FD stuff a couple of years ago for the EOS AF. With age (just over 50) I could no longer manually focus fast enough for action shots.

 

Now with the EOS system and the Image Stabilization Canon lenses, I have overcome those problems.

 

Like I said earlier, depends on the body and lens. In addition, both of my Canon bodies (Elan 7e & EOS3) have ECF (Eye controlled focus) which works exceptionally well for me, even with eyeglasses. But then too, I have taken the time to do many many eye calibrations in many different lighting situations, and with my different lenses. (A key factor in separating ECF as being considered "just a gizmo!")

 

In addition, both bodies have the AI Servo AF modes (Artificial Intelligence) with Predictive AF. When the subject is moving at a somewhat constant speed, the camera tracks the subject and predicts the focusing distance immediately before the full depression of the shutter button and the shots exposure in milliseconds. (Much faster than I could!) Then there's the focusing point selection, either in auto or manual etc., etc..

 

It may sound complicated, but it's really not and I know it works from my experience since my transition from FD to EOS.

 

So . . . In answer to your question, Yes, with a moderately fast lens (not necessarily an Albino one!) my EOS system would have no problem at all capturing correct focus and exposure on this shot or even a Top Fuel Dragster approaching at 300+ mph!

Oh! . . . And I forgot to say . . . Very nice and interesting shot!

Thanks for the info Jim, What does a 300 mph dragster look like coming at you?

 

I'm going to try autofocus one of these days.... they must be much faster than the earlier models I examined. Thinking about a Pentax "ist" or Oly...... their legacy lenses still operate manually.

 

Another reason for sticking with the old mechanical stuff is reliability in the cold. Probably another luddite myth...... would you believe I still have my 1950 C3.

 

Dropping the FD's would not be an option for me, hoping someday a digital body will appear. Wishful thinking.

 

Regards.

<p><em>I'm going to try autofocus one of these days....</em></p><p>Can't help you there, but. . . .</p><p><em>Thinking about a Pentax "ist" or Oly...... their legacy lenses still operate manually. . . . hoping someday a digital body will appear.</em></p><p>Not quite what you had in mind, but how about <a href="http://www.gfsnt.no/hexanon/">using Hexanon lenses on an Olympus</a>? (Or indeed <a title="in Japanese" href="http://www-esl2.isc.chubu.ac.jp/mun/camera/hexanon2/AR%20Hexanon-EOS.html">on an EOS</a>?) I don't know about your part of the world, but in my part Hexanon lenses seem to cost less than half what even FD lenses cost. And they're said to be good.</p>

Hi Peter, thanks for the info and suggestions. Next month, if the old model "ist" and "Oly" bodies drop in price I intend to get one. Like the "ist" viewfinder better but price might be the deciding factor. Then............ the world of legacy K mount or Zuiko lenses is available for sampling. This could be more interesting than a digital M and obviously cheaper. Regards.

All this old PJ had was manual focus gear until 1992. "Pre-focus" is the key. <br>Find that spot on the trail/walk/doorway/red carpet, pre-focus then wait, holdin the lens barrel locked in place with your left thumb. <br>When raising the camera to shoot, resist the temptation to focus (<i>or fiddle with the focus</i>), <i>since you've already done that</i>.

I primarily use manual focus lenses on my Canon 10D and Elan IIe. I have exchanged all my Canon FD glass for Nikon manual glass. My wife has had a Canon AF system for 10 years but I never used it until last month. I used the EF 50/1.8 and EF 70-210/3.5-4.5 for shooting my son's basketball team indoors and I was very happy with the autofocus. I found it very useful in such fast, tight, situations. The Servo system of the 10D seemed very good. For indoor swimming I primarily use the Nikon 200/2 and focusing manually is acceptable. For autoracing and soccer I had been using a Canon FD 400/2.8 L and had no problem achieving proper focus. This summer I will be using a Nikon 400/2.8. I could never afford even one of these lenses in autofocus so I don't mind if I miss focus on a few shots.

 

 

I would like to mention that the Canon FD 200mm f2.8 is very good and the Canon FD 80-200mm f4 L is absolutely exceptional. Both available for very reasonable prices.

I've agonized over this question for a while as well. I've always used FD equipment and loved it, but in the past few years I've noticed a tendency to "search" back and forth to check my focus. My sister purchased and EOS system a couple of years ago and I tried it. It's kind of like letting someone else do the driving for you, but if the driver does the job, why not? I didn't have as much fun with the EOS, and I felt like the results were partly credited to the EOS, but I'm probably going with the EOS before long. Good luck with your choice, and nice photo, mate. BTF

Hi Brian, glad you liked the pix, those feet really move fast. Ran a roll of the new "Made in China" Kodak Max 800-4 through a Yashica Electro the other day and liked the results. Played around today with a couple of images in Elements sharpening and depixeling. I'll be holding out on the digital purchase for awhile after seeing the results printed 11x14. I'll never go Canon again though after they deadended the FD's. Regards.