Trouble using FD lens on Canon VI-T

[stephen_moon1]

<p>I picked up a Canon VI-T for a ridiculously low price and bought the adapter so I can use the lenses that I bought for my New F-1. But, when I tried using them, I couldn't seem to get a handle on if things were in focus. But... The lens that actually goes with the VI-T, a 50mm 1.8, looks great and I know when the shot is focused. Does anyone shoot with an an FD adapter and get good results, using them on the same body that I am? Is there some trick or accessory that makes it easier? This is my first attempt at photography, so any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>

[Jochen_S]

<p>From my limited understanding the SLR lenses are never rangefinder coupled and only made for zone focusing; i.e. distance guesswork and the engraved scale (if not used on a matching SLR).</p>

[Brian1664876441]

<img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8286120180_e508701f6f_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Canon 50/1.4

FL"></a>

 

<img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8285061665_02034fbe05_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Canon 50/1.4,

now RF Coupled"></a>

 

<img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8322820529_7a2c7400d8_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="M

Monochrom with Canon 50/1.4 FL mount">

 

<p>

 

you need to make an RF cam for it.<p>

[paul_wheatland]

<p>I have both Canon made adapter B for fd Lens on LTM body plus Fotodiox fd lens on M bodies. Since there is no rgfdr coupling you must use a handheld distance meter and observe the distance scale and adjust lens to appropriate distance mark. I have had good experience with these cobbled items however for wide open aperture at close distance could be inaccurate!</p>

[stephen_moon1]

<p>Brian, I am not sure what you are trying to show with the photos - I'm pretty green. Make an RF cam?</p>

<p>Thanks for the tips!</p>

[Alex_Es]

ultra wides are best in this case as they can be zone focused. Best used on a mirrorless camera.

[john_shriver]

<p>Rangefinder-coupled lenses for Leica rangefinder cameras have a metal cam that presses on the roller at the top of the lens mount. This cam pushes that roller back one particular distance when focused at infinity, and a different (lesser) distance when focused at 1 meter or 0.7 meters. The exact rate of motion of that cam is what a lens with 51.8mm focal length would move to focus to that distance. Lenses of other focal lengths either use a cam that is ramped, or have a lever that rides on internal ramp, or have a separate helical for the cam.<br>

Brian is a great mechanical hacker (in the best sense of the word). What his pictures show is making a cam for that Canon 50mm lens. That's not super hard for a 50mm lens. It gets much more "interesting" for a 28mm, 35mm, 100mm, or other focal length lens. It gets improbable for a zoom lens.<br>

The Canon 28/3.5, 35/2.8, and 100/3.5 rangefinder lenses are really dandy, small and light, and really not very expensive. </p>

[stephen_moon1]

Ah, I see. Thanks for the explanation.