Canon Fd-eos Lens Converter

Something Old, Something New; Are “Older” 35mm Film Camera Lenses ...

If, like many Shutterbug readers, you have a film SLR camera plus several interchangeable lenses, you might be wondering if you can use those lenses with your new D-SLR camera of the same, or even different, brand. Questions arise: Will the older film-era lenses work? If so, are there any limitations? Do they need factory modifications so they will work properly? And even if everything seems to fit together, are you degrading the quality of your images by using older gear on newer imaging devices? There have already been several generations of products introduced since the move to D-SLR cameras. Each generation has introduced a greater distance between electromechanical communication with the camera body to direct electronic communication. Changes have been introduced in practically every component of the camera system, including metering, autofocusing, shutter control, image stabilization, etc. The earlier original FD-EOS Lens Mount Converter contained an extender, which multiplied the focal length by a factor of 1.26x—but it was only usable for most FD lenses with a focal length of 200mm and longer. This limitation was due to a protruding front element on the converter’s tele-extender, which would interfere with shorter focal-length lenses. This latter converter was not sold through dealers but was available only to members of the Canon Professional Services program. Both converters when used with older FD lenses on Canon D-SLR cameras require that the lens has to be stopped down manually since the diaphragm operation is manual and there is no autofocus confirmation. The new Leica S-System S2 D-SLR camera is an entirely new system and it does not accept the old Leica R 35mm SLR lenses. Leica’s earlier digital R-System camera production was recently terminated. There are no Leica cameras sold that support R lenses. There are third-party firms that supply adapters to use these lenses on Canon and/or Nikon bodies. In summary, all non-AI Nikkor lenses cannot be used on any D-SLR or even late-model film SLR camera. Manual focus AI lenses with Aperture Indexing levers can be used on D-SLRs, but with a few exceptions. The higher models of D-SLR cameras (such as the D300, D200, D3, D2, and D1) can meter with these lenses, but when used with older consumer-oriented bodies (such as the D60, D40, D80, and D70) the exposure will have to be determined and set manually.

Nikkor AF lenses use a mechanical coupling between the lens and camera for focusing. The focus motor is located inside the camera but drives the lens’ focusing through gears. These lenses can be used on any D-SLR that has a built-in focus motor. The only cameras not currently having a focus motor are the D5000, D3000, D60, and the entire D40 series of cameras. Nikon indicates they cannot comment on the compatibility and image quality of third-party lenses having a Nikon mount. They suggest if your lens worked satisfactorily on an older Nikon film camera that you should be able to use the information provided earlier to determine the suitability for use with a new D-SLR camera. Considerable additional information about Nikkor lenses is included on their website which should be a must read for anyone contemplating using older Nikkor lenses with D-SLR cameras.

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