Old Canon FT lenses: Any use with my 7D?

[Bob_B]

I own a 1970's vintage 50mm f/1.2 Canon FT lens and wonder if there was any way I could use it effectively with my Canon 7D? I recognize the mount is different and that autofocus and autoexposure would not be available. I prefer shooting manual, so no big deal. But I wonder if converting it (whatever) to work with the 7D is worth the time and money, and, if it is, how do I go about making it happen. I also have a 135 mm Canon FT lens, so adapting these old lenses to use with my 7D would certainly be nice.

I appreciate hearing your thoughts, opinions, and suggestions. Thank you for your time.

Bob

[Ken Bennett]

I have my old Canon FD breech lock lenses. You can get an FD to EOS EF adapter from Amazon or eBay - they are not expensive. I have an adapter for my micro 4/3 system, and tried all my old FD lenses. I was frankly surprised at how bad they were. The 50/1.4 is terrible until about f/4, and that was pretty typical.

The best lens I tried was my old Tamron 90mm macro lens - it's terrific even wide open on the m4/3, and I use it all the time. But the others, not so much.

That said, I don't have a 50/1.2 to test, so I can't help there. Good luck, though. It's a cheap experiment at about $35.

[hugowolf]

The registration distance (back flange distance, sensor/film plane to lens mount surface distance) is 42 mm for Canon FD and 44 mm for Canon EF/EFS.

When you fit an FD lens to an EF mount, you have extended the lens 2 mm plus whatever the adaptor measures – it acts as an extension tube and you can no longer focus at normal distances. The only way around this is to add optical elements to the adaptor, which definitely degrades image quality. This is why Canon no longer makes an FD/EF adaptor.

It is easier to find Canon to Nikon adaptors than Canon FD/EF adaptors, and without glass they work a lot better.

(I take it you meant FD or FL and not FT?)

Brian A

[Ken Bennett]

And now I remember why I never got the FD-EF adapter back when I switched. Thanks for reminding me.

The OP said FT lenses. But he also said 1970s, which is why I was assuming FD instead of FL (the FT was a camera.)

[Ed B]

There is also this option, http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170911278282

It's not cheap but it will allow infinity focus. I've never tried this so I can't speak to the quality. Quite a few FD lenses can be converted for the 7D but when it comes to full frame though, the mirror can hit the lens.

[Bob_B]

And now I remember why I never got the FD-EF adapter back when I switched. Thanks for reminding me.

The OP said FT lenses. But he also said 1970s, which is why I was assuming FD instead of FL (the FT was a camera.)

Yes, they are FD lenses. Sorry if my typo caused confusion.

Bob

[Ellis Vener]

Beyond the "will it fit" question I'd also have serious questions  serious question about optical performance; fringing , chromatic aberrations, and resolution.

But if the adapter is cheap enough to make it worth experimenting with, I recommend you try it as long as you won't damage your camera. It may even help you create images that look like no one else's.

[Bob_B]

I thank everyone and appreciate your comments and suggestions. I might give it a try, but probably not immediately.

Bob