sh10453

<p>Congratulations Muralie.</p>

<p>Now it would be great if Canon offered one of its L lenses every quarter for this program.</p>

<p>A similar thing happened to me with an FD 50mm, f/1.2, L lens.<br>

The problem is that with age the grease dries up due to use and exposure to warm weather, and simply the old age of the lens.<br>

It was performing flawlessly after I had it serviced (basically cleaned and re-greased) at a small, very reputable, local service shop that unfortunately has now gone out of business.<br>

So it sounds like your lens needs to be professionally cleaned and re-greased.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I have used PaintShop Pro since the DOS days in the 1980s when it was owned by JASC, and now on PSP Photo X3 (X4 has just been released).</p>

<p>It's a very capable imaging program, and from its inception was aimed at people who knew what to do with computers, not at photographers, but that has changed long time ago.</p>

<p>Adobe's PhotoShop, on the other hand, was aimed at photographers who knew nothing about computers (if you are familiar with the very early versions of PhotoShop, where there was a number of big buttons you just click them to enhance your images. All you needed to do is click, click, click, and photographers loved that).</p>

<p>Both products have since progressed and have become different beasts from the simple products they were in their early years.</p>

<p>I never liked Adobe's PhotoShop or its ridiculous price, and will continue to use PSP.<br>

PSP has been more than powerful enough to allow me to do all I want or need to do with my images for about 5% of the price that I would otherwise have to pay Adobe.</p>

<p>Many other powerful image processing & manipulation programs are also available for free, as we know, including the renowned open-source GIMP.</p>

<p>Just my 2-cents.</p>

Hi Amy,

I bet you are confused by now, eh??

I have had a very long road with Canon FD stuff. Most of what I do nowadays is macro (flowers, insects, etc.), and I have collected a large collection of equipment to facilitate this fun hobby.

There are a few ways to do it, and they all have very much been suggested in the responses, in some form or another. But I'll try to summarise my thoughts, and sum it up for you:

Going with a "macro" lens would be a better option, in my opinion. Macro lenses are designed and optimized for macro work. They are not designed just like regular lenses. No need to go through details here. You can also buy an additional set of inexpensive extension tubes to go with it. None of the above has to be Canon brand, but only has to be made for the Canon FD (we don't want to argue with someone over converters, and T-mounts, etc.). Yes, Canon optics would be best, but the others are not far off. In fact, it is not easy to tell the difference (I use a 50mm 3.5 Canon macro, a 50mm 2.8 Panagor macro, a and Vivitar). I like the Panagor very much, especially the 2.8 speed.

The other techniques (reversing rings, using flat close-up, filter-like lenses, tubes with regualr lenses, etc. may do the job, but not the critical job. If you require extended magnification, then you will need the bellows and the macro lens for high quality work, as well as a GOOD tripod for stability, as well as a cable release.

Lighting will be another challenge, especially when you are an inch or so from an object. You can't use a regualr flash. You will have to use a macrolite (such as Canon Speedlite Marolite-II, or III for example). These macrolites (the Canon brands) are quite expensive.

As the focal length gets higher, so does the price. A 50mm Canon macro, 3.5, in good condition, would probably cost you around $100 to $125. A 100mm Caon macro, 4.0 in good shape, would cost you at least twice that much, from $200 to $400, depending on condition (unless you get very lucky).

Bellows for the Canon FD series sell for about $100 to $125, on average, on ebay (at least from my last experience), and there are a few manufacturers who make them (Canon, Vivitar, etc.). I happen to have 3 bellows (for the Canon FD series) made by 3 different manufacturers, including a Canon, and they all are comperable in quality and workmanship.

If you will be working in the field, then lens-reversing is not practicla, and the use of bellows may not be practical either. In such case, your best bet is to use a macro lens and have your set of extension tubes handy; most probably you will need these tubes in the field.

For the amount of money you got, you probably can find a Canon 100mm f4.0 macro, and a set of tubes, if you are willing to be patient, and to watch a few auctions.

I'm rarely here. I visit a couple of times a year or so. But if you have a particular question, please feel free to send an email, and make sure the title clearly indicates Canon FD question (because I delete email that I don't recognize, due to the amount of garbage mail we receive).

Good luck.

Sam

Michigan

Keith,

You started a new thread for the topic!!!

I sent you my 2-cents already; take a look at your original posting/question.

Sam

Michigan

Keith,

I have been using Canon FD line (A-1, T-70, T-90, etc.) for almost 23 years (most of them at least). I had also taken photography classes while attending the university. I have photographed family, friends, children, flowers, wildlife, sunsets, and a lot more, with stunning results. All I used throughout the years (until recently) was my Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 70-210mm 4.0 macro, and a Spiratone 20mm 2.8 macro. All of them were bought new for my first A-1.

I used the Canon Speedlite 199A, and before that I used an Achiever dedicated flash.

I never found a need to use the flash off the camera. I had bought the bracket and the off-shoe cord many years ago, but I have yet to use them at all. If you were a studio photographer, then we would have a completely different story. Incidentally, I understand lighting, red-eye, theory, and other photography aspects quite well.

Bottom line is, I suggest keeping it simple for candid shots of your kid. You already have a marvelous lens at hand (the 50mm 1.4 SSC, and another ). The 1.4 SSC is a great lens; I have 4 of SSC now, and 3 of the new bayonet mount 1.4 lenses. I like this lens very much.

So start shooting and experimenting, and stop being fussy (just kidding of course).

Get yourself a book on photography. There are a few titles which were written specifically for the Canon A- & F series in the 80's, and I have seen them on ebay many times.

Good luck.

Sam,

Michigan, USA

Ron,

If I may suggest a couple of things (although all the other contributions are great):

1) A set of extension tubes doesn't add much weight (or much cost), but it might prove to be the next best thing you carried with you (especially to use with the 70-200mm lens). Aside form the usefulness of this set, it also counts as a backup (in case something happens to your 90mm macro lens, either damaged or stolen).

2) As for flash, I strongly agree, and recommend a Canon MacroLite ring SpeedLite, such as #3 (designated as MacroLite-III, I believe). Not only it is good for macro purposes, but for other flash photography up to 10 feet. They are not too expensive, relatively speaking, if we consider all other expences involved in such a trip, and that you do not want to ruin it because of the additional cost of a proper flash unit.

I personally use extension tubes, macro lenses, and the Canon macrolite ring speedlite extensively (aside from winter months, where I hibernate, due to Michigan's brutal weather; I miss Arizona very much during winter).

3) A light tripod is good, but not a fixed, or too light one. I would not cripple myself with a fixed tripod. Something that allows you at least to rotate the camera 90 degrees for vertical shooting would be very good.

4) If you have a remote control for the camera, then you might find it a great addition, if you don't, then it's not a must have.

I have been involved in photography almost to my ears for well over 20 years (as a hobby only, never made a dime on it), and my most favorite area has become macro photography, especially flowers, although I do other forms of photography. I only use 35mm (mostly Canon equipment), and digital format.

I hope this helps.

Good luck, and safe trip; tell us about it when you get back.

Sam Hussein

Michigan,

USA

In addition to the open aperture metring capability that was

mentioned in an earlier post, the aperture (f-stops) can be

automatically set and controlled by the camera with the FD lenses.

It is correct that you can use a newer Canon manual focus camera with

your FL lenses. The A-series (A-1, AE-1, AE-1 Program, AV-1, AT-1, AL-

1) and the T-series (T-50, T-70, T-80, T-90) Canon manual focus

cameras can be used with the FL or the FD lenses. The T-80 uses the

AC autofocus lenses as well the FD and FL lenses (only 3 AC lenses

were made). The T-80 was Canon's first attempt at autofocus, and not

many were made.

The A-1 is top of the line in the A-series. A wonderful camera with

six exposure methods, from fully automatic (except focusing) to fully

manual stop-down photography).

The T-90 is the top of the line in the T-series, and it is arguably

considered the best and most powerful manual focus camera that Canon

ever made. Some regard it as the best and most powerful manual focus

camera period. It's a matter of opinion. I happen to have 2 T-90's, 2

A-1's, and a dozen other Canons. I simply LOVE the T-90. Be cautioned

that it is much heavior than the A-1. Canon produced the T-90 for one

year only (1986), then they switched to the autofocus system. You can

find a used T-90 on the market, in good condition, if you are

patient, but they are hard to come by, and pricy (over $300 US for a

used one; I have seen them recently sold as high as $900 US in near

new condition. I guess some folks want it bad enough to pay any price

for it).

An A-1 is much easier to find, and it is much lighter, both in

weight, and on the budget. You can find a used one in good shape for

about $150-$200 US (more or less, depending on condition).

I have used the A-1 since 1980. It's a great camera as well, but

nothing like the T-90.

The T-90 is motorized (film advance, rewind, etc.). The A-1 is not.

The T-90 has a very powerful optional commad back, and also an

optional data back. It's capable of shooting at the rate of 4.5

frames per second, if needed! The Japanees journalists, in the 80s,

affectionately dubbed it the name "The Tank" because of its power,

versatility, and durabilty.

I hope that this helps you to start looking at the camera that suits

your needs. Also, visit Canon's web site, and go to the "Museum"

section.

<p>

Best of luck.

Sam H.

Michigan, USA

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