View Full Version : FD to EOS adapter ? any advice


Rafael Diaz
September 17th, 2011, 07:03 PM
Hello All,
A friend recently gave a FD 50mm f1.2 lens. I really like to try it out with my 7D. Any advice on any adapters?

Any one using any good one that works great?

BHPHOTO got this one:
Bower Lens Adapter - FD (Manual Focus) System to Can ABEOS B&H

Thank you

Nick Gordon
September 18th, 2011, 02:39 AM
Hello All,
A friend recently gave a FD 50mm f1.2 lens. I really like to try it out with my 7D. Any advice on any adapters?

Any one using any good one that works great?

BHPHOTO got this one:
Bower Lens Adapter - FD (Manual Focus) System to Can ABEOS B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/522370-REG/Bower_ABEOS_Lens_Adapter_FD.html)

Thank you

Opinions are very divided on this. Some people feel that even the best adapters compromise image quality too much; others (like me) are pretty happy to accept a slight drop in IQ for the convenience and pleasure of using some great FD lenses.

I use this one:

CANON FD - EF EOS ADAPTER AF CONFIRM UK DESIGN | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CANON-FD-EF-EOS-ADAPTER-AF-CONFIRM-UK-DESIGN-/230671292907?pt=UK_Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET&hash=item35b51499eb#ht_3697wt_1156)

I'm very happy with it. Nigel Barker (active here) tried it and really didn't like it. There's some discussion in this thread here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eos-60d-rebel-t2i-eos-550d-hd/499016-fd-ef-mount-adapter-its-simple.html

All these adapters need an optical element to allow infinity focus, which is where the IQ issue arises. Even with a good quality element, you'll lose a bit of sharpness and maybe a bit of contrast - it's a bit like using a teleconverter.

Colin Rowe
September 26th, 2011, 06:25 AM
Hello All,
A friend recently gave a FD 50mm f1.2 lens. I really like to try it out with my 7D. Any advice on any adapters?

Any one using any good one that works great?

BHPHOTO got this one:
Bower Lens Adapter - FD (Manual Focus) System to Can ABEOS B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/522370-REG/Bower_ABEOS_Lens_Adapter_FD.html)

Thank you
Some footage here using an FD lens with adaptor on my 550D 550D with FD Lens on Vimeo
Lots of brickwork etc, I was checking for aliasing and moire

John Wiley
September 27th, 2011, 03:58 PM
I'd sell that thing and put the money towards a EF 50mm f/1.4!

Kin Lau
September 28th, 2011, 06:50 AM
The FD 50/1.2 will be low contrast and a bit soft @ f1.2 (perfect for interviews and portraits), a FD->EOS adapter will lower that even more.

Sell the FD to someone with a Sony NEX or Pany G series, and get a manual focus 50/1.4 from Nikon or Oly, or Pentax instead.