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Canon FD Lenses

Adam Ekblad

Adam Ekblad

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Hey Fellow RED Users,

Saw the set of 12 Canon FD lenses down in the for sale section and I am thinking about buying them.(If I can get the money together.)
I have seen the pros & cons of each lens and I am OK with them, but I was wondering if anyone has used them with their RED(R1 specifically) and if so what were the results?

Thanks,
Adam

P.S. Don't be afraid to upload results!
 
You will find *very* few who did that.

There *was* an FD mount for the R1, but it was rare as rocking horse shit... it was unapproved and voided warranty to install; you had to remove the entire PL mount to use it due to the FD register.

Optitek make an FD mount for DSMC which is (I believe) approved; it's a simple mechanical mount with no electrical connection so no complex issues.

Mike
 
With Epic Yes. But no reason they should perform differently with R1.

You can convert them to have EF mount which makes them more accessible, Id prefer the FD mount though. They are very nice lenses if you get the faster primes and check the web for reviews. They do have a specific look to them. all depends on if you like this or not for the project your filming. mechanicaly they are better than a more modern till lens.
 
Mike 'Fireman' Ross said:
You will find *very* few who did that.

There *was* an FD mount for the R1, but it was rare as rocking horse shit... it was unapproved and voided warranty to install; you had to remove the entire PL mount to use it due to the FD register.

Optitek make an FD mount for DSMC which is (I believe) approved; it's a simple mechanical mount with no electrical connection so no complex issues.

Mike
Click to expand...

I have a R1 Nikon mount so I would just get an adapter!

Thanks,
Adam
 
Dave Blackham said:
With Epic Yes. But no reason they should perform differently with R1.

You can convert them to have EF mount which makes them more accessible, Id prefer the FD mount though. They are very nice lenses if you get the faster primes and check the web for reviews. They do have a specific look to them. all depends on if you like this or not for the project your filming. mechanicaly they are better than a more modern till lens.
Click to expand...

OK good, I would be using them for my standard prime set until I could pay them back and buy something like CP.2's!

Thanks,
Adam
 
if you have an adapter with a decent glass element (or love the plastic)... do it.

i have a couple with a cheap plastic converter... no problems except i would rather have a better adapter, so i only use those on my dslr really.
 
paulherrin said:
if you have an adapter with a decent glass element (or love the plastic)... do it.

i have a couple with a cheap plastic converter... no problems except i would rather have a better adapter, so i only use those on my dslr really.
Click to expand...

I would strongly DISCOURAGE using any adapter with glass or plastic. That will noticeably soften the image.
 
Agreed, Id get a mount with out any glass in it. They are fine lenses and could do with out any additional glass in the way. Also you need a good matte box to use these lenses, they do flare which is nice when you want them too. When you dont you need a good shade.
 
where is this mount without an element? my understanding is that the cameras themselves had an element built in, and you can't get an image without it. am i mistaken?

that being said, the glow-effect of some of the adapters is kind of cool if you want a really soft effect. course, you can essentially do that with different materials behind the lens, but it's still kinda cool and a little different. definitely throws away a lotttttt of resolution at 4k, but it's still better than 'hd' on the dslr and if your final output is HD and you like the look, it's cool.
 
paulherrin said:
where is this mount without an element? my understanding is that the cameras themselves had an element built in, and you can't get an image without it. am i mistaken?

that being said, the glow-effect of some of the adapters is kind of cool if you want a really soft effect. course, you can essentially do that with different materials behind the lens, but it's still kinda cool and a little different. definitely throws away a lotttttt of resolution at 4k, but it's still better than 'hd' on the dslr and if your final output is HD and you like the look, it's cool.
Click to expand...

The falange length of FD's is is short that they are very hard to convert w/out the glass element. But absolutely, it's possible to use w/out. People shoot on FD lenses happily w/out the glass element on the Sony NEX system with a simple cheap adapter.

There's also kits now to adapt FD lenses to EOS, but I don't think it's simple or cheap.

I know someone has made an FD "mount" now for the Epic/Scarlet (Optek?), that'd be the best way to get them on to your camera w/out a cheap piece of glass/plastic getting in the way...that's NOT the way God intended you to use them!!
 
i heard about the optitek but didn't know if it was completed/approved yet? anybody know? jacek...
 
Currently I Have:
Nikon 50mm f/1.5
Nikon 80-200mm f/4
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 < or what ever lens comes with the D3100
& a Macro Zoom that I don't know the specs on!

But I was looking to add the FD set to my kit, If I can get the $$$ together!
 
Last edited:
Canon FD on Epic

Canon FD on Epic

Here you go guys.
Thanks Nick.
Epic/Scarlet only. No room for the R1 adapter. Unless you want to remove the front and void the warranty.
 

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jacek, do you get infinity focus? and are you using any elements and/or does it need flange distance adjustment (accurate focus markings aside)? or do you just slap it on and shoot?
 
Yes to infinity focus.
We assemble and shim it precisely so it's usually a direct swap with the original mount.
No glass as Nick noted. focus marks are as accurate as the lenses allow :)
 
Anything more about quality of the image?
 
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