Recommend an adapter for Canon FD? at DVinfo.net

Peter Rush · March 5th, 2015, 06:03 AM

I recently inherited a Canon 50mm FD f1.8 lens and would like to play around with it - can anyone recommend an adapter that's not too expensive but also not so cheap it might screw my camera mount.

Cheers

Pete

Chris Harding · March 5th, 2015, 06:21 AM

Hi Pete

If it's a dumb adapter then just get a cheap one! The Fotga FD to NEX adapters are cheap as chips and are aluminium so they certainly won't mess up the SS mount on your camera.

The only issues I found were the fact that the casting is good BUT they tend to powder coat it afterwards so it's too tight. Yep, I paid an arm and a leg ($300!) for my Novoflex and it fitted perfectly but was pricey and is actually a tiny bit loose! When my car was broken into last year my 2nd Novoflex was stolen so I took the cheap one ($15.00!!) out of the draw to try and figure why it never fitted the camera (too tight) it was then I found that the 3 tabs on the camera side were in fact too thick simply due to the powder coating so I used my wife's best emery board to gently reduce the thickness and finished off with 1200 grit water paper and lo and behold it was still a little tight so I repeated the process until it fitted perfectly ! I did the same on the lens side and ended up with something BETTER than the Novoflex and 5% of the price ...it's still working perfectly and for only $15.00!!!! When my Novoflex starts wearing a little I will toss it in the bin and get a cheap one and adjust again for a perfect fit!! Hell, I might even just buy two more just as spares.

If you need a speed booster though then I think Metabones is your only safe route

The cheap ones certainly worked for me but a little re-finishing is needed!!

Chris

Peter Rush · March 5th, 2015, 09:13 AM

Great tip Chris thanks - I already have 2 Metabones adapters - I think a cheapie this time :)

Something like this

Neewer Mount Adapter For Canon FD FL Lens To Sony NEX-3: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

Or this

Fotga For Canon FD mount Lens To Sony NEX-3 NEX-1 E: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

Should do the trick

Chris Harding · March 5th, 2015, 06:55 PM

Hi Pete

Good plan! However if it doesn't go onto the camera body smoothly don't do as I did and toss it in the bin! It only needs a tiny amount of light sanding until it fits firmly. BTW: If you have to "trim" the front tabs like I did, make sure you give it a gentle file, followed by 1200 wet/dry paper and use it wet!! That allows any small particles created by the abrasive to be washed off so they don't find their way inside the camera... After each "adjustment" I gave the tabs a quick 1200 rub with water and then washed the whole adapter under the tap and dried it before testing it on the EA-50 body.

Chris

March 5th, 2015, 06:03 AM	#1
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Recommend an adapter for Canon FD? I recently inherited a Canon 50mm FD f1.8 lens and would like to play around with it - can anyone recommend an adapter that's not too expensive but also not so cheap it might screw my camera mount. Cheers Pete

March 5th, 2015, 06:21 AM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Recommend an adapter for Canon FD? Hi Pete If it's a dumb adapter then just get a cheap one! The Fotga FD to NEX adapters are cheap as chips and are aluminium so they certainly won't mess up the SS mount on your camera. The only issues I found were the fact that the casting is good BUT they tend to powder coat it afterwards so it's too tight. Yep, I paid an arm and a leg ($300!) for my Novoflex and it fitted perfectly but was pricey and is actually a tiny bit loose! When my car was broken into last year my 2nd Novoflex was stolen so I took the cheap one ($15.00!!) out of the draw to try and figure why it never fitted the camera (too tight) it was then I found that the 3 tabs on the camera side were in fact too thick simply due to the powder coating so I used my wife's best emery board to gently reduce the thickness and finished off with 1200 grit water paper and lo and behold it was still a little tight so I repeated the process until it fitted perfectly ! I did the same on the lens side and ended up with something BETTER than the Novoflex and 5% of the price ...it's still working perfectly and for only $15.00!!!! When my Novoflex starts wearing a little I will toss it in the bin and get a cheap one and adjust again for a perfect fit!! Hell, I might even just buy two more just as spares. If you need a speed booster though then I think Metabones is your only safe route The cheap ones certainly worked for me but a little re-finishing is needed!! Chris

March 5th, 2015, 09:13 AM	#3
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: Recommend an adapter for Canon FD? Great tip Chris thanks - I already have 2 Metabones adapters - I think a cheapie this time :) Something like this Neewer Mount Adapter For Canon FD FL Lens To Sony NEX-3: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo Or this Fotga For Canon FD mount Lens To Sony NEX-3 NEX-1 E: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo Should do the trick

March 5th, 2015, 06:55 PM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Recommend an adapter for Canon FD? Hi Pete Good plan! However if it doesn't go onto the camera body smoothly don't do as I did and toss it in the bin! It only needs a tiny amount of light sanding until it fits firmly. BTW: If you have to "trim" the front tabs like I did, make sure you give it a gentle file, followed by 1200 wet/dry paper and use it wet!! That allows any small particles created by the abrasive to be washed off so they don't find their way inside the camera... After each "adjustment" I gave the tabs a quick 1200 rub with water and then washed the whole adapter under the tap and dried it before testing it on the EA-50 body. Chris