Should I adapt a Canon FD macro lens to EOS/EF, or exchange it instead?

Asked 1/17/2011

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I accidentally bought a Canon FD-mount 100mm manual-focus macro lens for use on an EOS/EF camera. I’m fine with manual focus, and I’m tempted to keep it because FD lenses can be inexpensive on the used market. But I’ve read very mixed opinions about FD-to-EOS adapters.

Since I’m still within the exchange period, would it be smarter to keep the lens and use an adapter, or exchange it for an EF-compatible 50mm prime instead?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

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Generally I'd say it's not worth trying to adapt an FD lens for the EF mount. The reason for this is that the EF mount has a larger registration distance, that is distance from the sensor the mount so that any simple FD to EF adaptor will act like an extension tube and you wont be able to focus beyond a few meters!

Canon produced an adaptor with a glass element which corrected focus distance but increased focal length by a factor of 1.1, could only be used with telephotos and decreased optical quality. This adaptor was mainly produced to placate those with a significant investment in long Canon glass and is quite rare. This is probably the reason people consider this type of adaptor to be "tripe". There are also third party versions of this adaptor which are comparable to the Canon one (i.e. still not that good).

However, as the lens in question is a macro lens, you could use a simple mechanical adaptor and the result would be a decrease in minimum focus distance, increasing magnification. So if you plan to use this lens for macro work then you should be able to adapt it no problem, however it wont be useful for anything else. A glassless adaptor wont compromise the optics so this is probably responsible for the mixed opinions on adaptors.

At the very least you need an adaptor with that can engage the aperture lever so you can stop down (almost essential for macro work) I think most of the glass ones do this, if you can't find a mechanical adaptor which will work the aperture for you, you can remove the glass from one of the other adaptors.

Incidentally, that 50 f/1.8 is well worth the price so I would leave it on the shopping list even if you keep the macro, for when you can afford it.

Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1375

15y ago

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Exchange it.

Canon FD lenses are generally a poor match for EOS/EF bodies because EF has a longer flange distance. That means:

  • a simple glassless FD-to-EF adapter works like an extension tube, so you lose infinity focus and are limited to close distances
  • an adapter with optical correction restores focus range, but adds extra glass that usually reduces image quality and slightly changes magnification/focal length

Canon once made a corrective adapter, but it was rare and intended mainly for certain telephotos. Third-party versions exist, but the core tradeoff remains: either compromised focus range or compromised image quality.

So if your goal is a practical everyday lens on EOS/EF, adapting FD is usually not worth it. If you want to experiment with vintage manual lenses on Canon, other mounts are generally easier to adapt than FD.

For this purchase, the wiser choice is to exchange the FD lens for an EF-compatible lens you actually want to use.

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15y ago

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