peter_szwed

<p>How about something like a Lowepro Flipside 500 AW? It will protect your super-telephoto lens much better then a sidecar bag will and those things aren't cheap to replace.</p>

<p>Here are some more serial numbers for Canonflex R bodies and lens that I own or have owned.<br>

Bodies<br>

Canonflex R S/N 14753, S/N 18405, S/N 21259, S/N 23697, S/N 23825 <br>

Canonflex R 2000 S/N 55783<br>

Canonflex RP S/N 100264, S/N 102819<br>

Canonflex RM S/N 108964<br>

R type Lenses<br>

50mm f1.8 S/N 17217, S/N 21732, S/N23374, S/N 26999, S/N 85514<br>

135MM F2.5 S/N 11203</p>

<p>I have at least one of every pre-EOS SLR that canon made and my favorite, by far, is the New F-1. I usually have a spot metering screen and standard prism but some times use a Speed Finder FN or Waist Level Finder FN-6X for macro work.A T-90 is my second choice paired with a Speedlite 300TL, or Macro Ringlite ML-2 on a 200mm f4 Macro lens. The T-90 would be an excellent second FD camera if you want to go up-feature. If you want a lighter walking around camera, an AE-1, AE-1P, or even an A-1 would be good choices depending on what features you want.</p>

<p>The T-90s use 4x AA batteries including 1.2v rechargeables, TTL flash metering, 1/250 x-sync, 1/4000 shutter speed, automatically selects ISO for DX film cartridges, selectable metering area without changing screens to name a few.</p>

<p>If you get a T-90 be sure to fire the shutter a couple dozen times a month to avoid the shutter freezing and getting the dreaded EEEEE error. And you might also want to try and find a copy of the T-90 handbook from Fountain Books. Long out of print but worth looking for and much more informative then the manual.</p>

<p>I have to make a correction to my earlier post. The Waist Level Finder for the earlier F-1 and F-1n does have a flip up 5X magnifier lens. But, since there is no prism, the image is reversed left to right.</p>

<p>If your camera is the F-1N as in NEW F-1 and not the earlier mechanical F-1n then there are 2 angle finders, A2 and B, there is also the Speed Finder FN and a Waist Level Finder FN but none of those give any magnification. The only option with magnification is the Waist Level Finder FN-6X. If you have an older F-1 or F-1n there are no accessories that give a right angle view AND magnification so you'd have to settle for Angle Finder A2, B or the Speed Finder for your model. Hope this gives you enough information.</p>

<p>I have the 800mm f5.6 that I have used with a Sony NEX 5N and 5T. Not as good as my New F-1 but acceptable. The peeking feature is an invaluable aid when focusing this giant lens. Any breeze or vibration will cause it to shake so I use the timer on its fastest setting to get my hands off the camera. The only way I've found to stabilize this monster is to brace the lens or use two tripods, one on the lens and one on the camera. my only complaint is the spring fingers in the bayonet mount allows some movement between the camera body and the lens.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Parts from the older mechanical F-1 and F-1n won't work on your New F-1. Your best bet for parts if you can't find the parts alone is to look for a non-functional New F-1 for parts. Things to ask yourself; Does it even work? If the shutter button is missing, what kind of contamination could have gotten inside? Good luck whatever you decide to do.</p>

<p>Given all that has been said, maybe another consideration is weight. The 50mm f1.2L at 380 grams is a lot lighter then the 55mmat 575 grams.</p>

<p>I kind of wish all my long lenses had breech locks. They are a much more solid mounting system then the bayonet mounts.</p>

<p>All I have to say about the Nikon versus Canon lens mounts is that everywhere else you screw things on, or attach them, with a right hand (clockwise) twist and off with a left hand (counter-clockwise) twist. That's why right handed screw threads prevail in the world, it's a right handed world!</p>

<p>If you can go the angle finder route, there are 2 options from Canon. Angle Finder B with adapter S will give you will give you a 1:1 image and has a built-in diopter adjustment of -4 to +2. Angle Finder C with adapter Ec-C also adjusts from -4 to +2 diopters and has a lever that switches from 1:1.25X to 1:2.5X. In 1:1.25X all viewfinder metering scales are visible, 2:5X does a really good job of magnifying the center of the image, making it easy to focus.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>If you want one with a built in meter, the F-1 or F-1n(not the New F-1) would be my suggestion. Or if you want one without any meter at all, an FP. . . if you can find one.</p>

<p> I started buying FD lenses again a few years ago when the prices started to drop. I now have examples of:<br>

7.5mm f5.6 fisheye*, 14mm f2.8L, 15mm f2.8 fisheye, 17mm f4, 20mm f2.8, 20mm f4 macro, 24mm f2.8, 28mm f2, 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 35mm f2.8, 35mm f2.8 macro, 35mm f2.8 tilt and shift*, 50mm f1.4, 50mm f1.8, 50mm f3.5 Macro, 85mm f1.2L, 100mm f2.8, 100mm f4 macro, 135mm f2, 200mm f4 macro*, 200mm f2.8 IF, 300mm f2.8L, 500mm f4.5L*, 800mm f5.6L, 20-35mm f3.5L, 35-70mm f3.5-4.5, 35-105mm f3.5, 85-300mm f4.5, 100-200mm f5.6 * favorites<br>

I blame it on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD) not Canons lineup of excellent FD equipment that I have so much gear. In addition to all my lenses I have at least one of every SLR that Canon made from the first Canonflex to the T-60. 5 working examples each of the AE-1, New F-1, and T-90.</p>

<p>It will defiantly be cheaper to buy a whole camera for the back then to buy just a back alone. While you're replacing the back, check the condition of the light seals around it. They tend to deteriorate over time and may be nothing more then sticky goo by now.</p>

<p>what you have is an F-1 or F-1n if the battery installs in the bottom. They used the no-longer-available 1.35 volt, PX625, mercury battery. The NEW F-1 has a 6 volt battery that installs under the front grip plate. There are substitutes and work-arounds for the old mercury cell if you really want to use the camera. </p>

<p>I also just purchased a NEX 5n. Besides the 18-55mm lens that came with the Sony, my lens collection is all manual focus Canon FD and FL. I have a NEX/FD adapter, a reverse mounting adapter, and a step-up ring set so I can mount my lenses every which way. The lenses I carry most of the time are a 20mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 35mm f2.8 tilt shift, 50mm f3.5. The tilt shift lens is especially well suited for the NEX. The smaller APS sensor allows you to use more of the lenses range then a full -frame would. You should consider a tilt shift lens if you do a lot if architectural photography. I also sometimes also use an 85mm f1.2 for it's shallow DoF, an 85-300mm f4.5 for long range work, and a bellows for extra magnification. As you can tell by my kit, I do a lot of close-up photography.</p>

<p>One other thing that is necessary is enable the camera to operate without a lens. Since the adapter has no contacts or chip the camera will assume there is no lens. This feature is available via the menu. I have a Nex 5N and keep this feature on all the time because I never know when I'm going to use a manual lens.</p>

<p>Just another thought, you're using binoculars to spot with. why not look into binoculars with a built in digi-cam or camcorder. Might save you some of that precious time lost when you switch from one set of optics to another.</p>

<p>I tried to buy a 5N at Best Buy. Their computer said that there was one in stock but the sales associate couldn't find it. I paid for it anyway expecting one to turn up or come from another store. No joy, I got an email saying that there were no 5Ns available at any Best Buy. As soon as my payment is returned, I will buy directly from Sony.<br>

Maybe Best Buy is discontinuing to carry the 5N. Sony, who charges exactly the same price as Best Buy, is still giving delivery dates. Two days for the silver model and the black model is back ordered two weeks.</p>

<p>My 85mm f1.2 L lens won't stop down with any of my New F-1's. It stops down fine with all of my A series and T series camera bodies. Is it a repair issue? I do use DoF preview so it is something I need to resolve.</p>

<p>Not to stir up another hornets nest but what about the FD predecessors that used the FL lens system? Should their questions only be answered in the Classic Manual Camera forum where there are so many different brands with a dizzying array of features and designes? Or, could they be asked here where the knowledge base of FD users overlaps heavily the earlier FL equipment?</p>

<p>If you can't put it back together, finish disassembling it and you now have several high quality magnifying glasses.</p>

<p>Yes indeed the CL-P 48 does work. I just bought one for my great white whale (FDn 800mm f5.6L) I can attest that it also works in the FDn 500mm f4.5L and FDn 300mm f2.8L. The CL-P 52, on the other hand, will not work.</p>

<p>I'm sure you can find a lens to hide behind.</p>

<p>I own one of almost every Canon from the Canonflex R to the T-90 and have a soft spot for the AE-1, that being the first SLR i ever owned. I also am fond of the FP. Here is mine with the accessory meter on top.<br /> <a href="../photo/11363510"><img title="IMG_0101.JPG" src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/11363510-sm.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0101.JPG" width="200" height="150" /></a><br /> The camera bodies I use the most now are my F-1N's and T-90's. The F-1N for the wide selection of focus screens available, I use spot screens almost exclusively, and the Speed Finder. So easy to get a bugs-eye view with a macro lens and the Speed Finder turned up. The T-90 has just so much going for it, TTL flash metering,1/250 flash sync, 1/4000 shutter speed, exposure control, exposure compensation, 3 metering modes, it uses AA batteries!!!, 4.5 FPS motor drive built in (I have one that shoots consistently at around 5.8 FPS).</p>

<p><a href="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/11363710-lg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/11363710-sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /> F-1N, 2-X extender, 800mm f5.6L, ready to shoot the moon<br>

Enjoy your Canon camera, they will bring you much joy.</p>

<p><a href="../photo/11363510"><br /></a></p>