Canon FD 35-105mm converted to EF

[Nick Morrison]

This whole FD thing is interesting, and new to me. Is there any shorthand advice to offer about what one might or might not want in an FD lens?

Get all the best FAST primes. Converting them to EOS is expensive (need a lens tech like RP, Duclos or Eddie todo), so seems fruitless to spend serious $$$ on a conversion to a budget lens. Otherwise I think it's fair to view them as the CONTAX of Canon. The Vintage 80's/90's primes that are still very sharp and have a great look to them too (and fully manual).

 

[Ken Willinger]

Get all the best FAST primes. Converting them to EOS is expensive (need a lens tech like RP, Duclos or Eddie todo), so seems fruitless to spend serious $$$ on a conversion to a budget lens. Otherwise I think it's fair to view them as the CONTAX of Canon. The Vintage 80's/90's primes that are still very sharp and have a great look to them too (and fully manual).

I wouldn't bother converting these lenses. I had RP cinevise a beautiful set of FD's and then got an FD mount for the Epic (via Optitek). It works perfectly and the FD mounts don't have to be touched. These lenses look fantastic and are still a great bargain.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

I wouldn't bother converting these lenses. I had RP cinevise a beautiful set of FD's and then got an FD mount for the Epic (via Optitek). It works perfectly and the FD mounts don't have to be touched. These lenses look fantastic and are still a great bargain.

Ken - what modifications were made to "cinevise" your lenses? Similar to what Matt Duclos does?

Also, do the FD lenses typical focus internally, i.e. without a change in length?

Thanks for the info!

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Or if you wanna go FD you could also check out the ones from foto akcesoria. I haven't bought one yet but have heard good things
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261125350457

To get the FD mount or the conversion is mostly about how many lenses you want to use and if you want to use the metadata readout. I just pulled out my 35-105 and am thinking about what to do with it once again

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Or if you wanna go FD you could also check out the ones from foto akcesoria. I haven't bought one yet but have heard good things
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261125350457

To get the FD mount or the conversion is mostly about how many lenses you want to use and if you want to use the metadata readout. I just pulled out my 35-105 and am thinking about what to do with it once again

Patrick - Same question about the 30-105; does it focus internally, i.e. without a change in length?

Thanks.

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Can anybody pm me the email adress of Eddie Houston? Since the one on the site is apparently not working!?

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Patrick - Same question about the 30-105; does it focus internally, i.e. without a change in length?

Thanks.

Terry, the 35-105 does extend by about 5mm (edited! Sorry, Terry!)

 

[Ken Willinger]

Terry, I had RP lens do the declicking and Duclos did the delrin gears and 80mm fronts. The lenses are all internal focus. I haven't done any zoom lenses.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Thanks for all the good info and advice! This FD things seems interesting.

 

[Nick Morrison]

And my 35-105 is also parfocal, which was a pleasant surprise...

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Only Thing you need to take into account is the rotating front during focus. But I believe someone stated that before already.

 

[Peter Majtan]

The 35-105 does extend a little. Not by much - only about 5 mm - but it certainly does. Also the front element rotates - if that is an issue for you...
I use mine with the Genustech variable ND, so neither is a problem for me...

:sifone: Peter

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Damn Peter you're right i just pulled it out of the closet and checked. It does extend but the way it extends it's almost hard to notice. it's really not a lot. Haven't used it in years ...

 

[Ken Willinger]

Terry, I had RP lens do the declicking and Duclos did the delrin gears and 80mm fronts. The lenses are all internal focus. I haven't done any zoom lenses.

I take my comment back about the internal focus. I just checked my lenses and they do extend a bit when focusing. My bad! It is so little that I'd forgotten about it.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

So, on the strength of this thread, I am awaiting the arrival of a Canon FD 35-105 F/3.5 that I found on eBay. Let the adventure begin. (also picked up an adaptor, just to test the lens out for now. Now what? LOL

 

[Terry VerHaar]

I have contacted a couple of US-based lens guys and they don't do a mount change for this FD zoom (35-105/f3.5). Can someone kindly forward me the email for Eddie? Or does anyone do it here in the US?

Thanks.

 

[Todd T]

www.thelensdoctor.co.uk

 

[Terry VerHaar]

www.thelensdoctor.co.uk

Thanks. I went to the web site but from what others have posted, that email doesn't seem to work.

 

[Marcos Montenegro]

All:

Just got this circa 1982 Canon FD 35-105mm f/3.5 (EF mount converted and completely refurbished by Eddie Houston www.thelensdoctor.co.uk) and just fired it up with my Epic-X. I have to say, it is a far better lens than I anticipated, and so light! For the price, it is a no brainer!

 

[Peter Majtan]

Here you go guys (updated after speaking with Eddie):

ehouston (at) talk21 (dot) com

:sifone: Peter