I have a manual camera(with a maximum flash sync of 1/60), and I'm attempting to cover all bases as far as a relatively fast lens in each of three categories: Wide angle, Standard, and Telephoto. I'm not loaded, so I'll probably aim for used ones. I was hoping I could get opinions from those that are informed about such things. Especially since the MTF curves and scores at photodo are said to be suspect(Not to mention incomplete). Thanks a lot. Darren.

-- Darren Harris (Searcher7@mail.con2.com), May 28, 1999

Answers

I've never used a telephoto on an FD camera, so I can't comment on that. Also, you didn't mention how long of a telephoto you were looking for. If you just need a short tele, you might consider something like a 100 or 105mm macro (I'm not sure which Canon made for the FD). One of the nice things about an older camera is that you don't have to worry about the incompatibility issue that some EOS bodies have with third party lenses. Therefore you can use whatever Vivitar/Sigma/Tokina/etc. lens that has a good reputation and save some money that way too. It may or may not be built as well as an actual Canon lens, but it will work , although I would stick with the major third party names.

As for the normal lens, I have heard good things about the Canon 50mm f1.4, but never used it. I will say that the price makes the 50mm f1.8 a no brainer if you don't have a need for the extra half stop. I used one as my only lens for almost 10 years, and it is brutally sharp. I see them advertised for anywhere from $25 to $50. They also show up on eBay pretty often.

I have a Canon 28mm f2.8 on a Canon (Cosina really) T60, and it seems to be a pretty good lens. I haven't used it extensively, but I don't have any complaints about it so far.

A couple of notes. The 50 f1.8 I had was the old FD mount. It was built a lot heavier than the new FD mount, but was a little bit harder to remove and attach to the camera. The new FD mount lenses don't feel as good just holding them, but they are easier to remove and attach, and focusing is just as smooth. I think the old lenses are refered to as breechlock, and the new ones bayonet. The old (I should say older, since Canon hasn't made FD mount lenses for years) lenses have a silver mounting ring, and the new ones are all black. Either will work on any FD mount camera.

On a final note, this reminds me that I really need to get a 50mm f1.8 for my EOS! Shoot some film with one on your FD monut camera and then use the same film in a friend's EOS with a 35-80 or 28-80 and you will see why most photographers don't like consumer zooms. The price of convenience...

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), May 29, 1999.

Why do I have the strange feeling I got the breechlock/bayonet lock thing backwards? Oh well, it doesn't really matter, and someone will be sure to correct me if I did.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), May 29, 1999.

You are correct, the breechlock lenses are the older twist type mounts, and the bayonet are the newer mounts. I have a breechlock Canon FD 50mm 1.4 SSC on an old AE-1. It is amazingly sharp. Used FD equipment is pretty affordable because FD lenses aren't compatible with the EOS cameras.

-- Mike Dunsmore (mkdunsmore@earthlink.net), May 29, 1999.

Thanks a lot. In the beginning I'll probably be concentrating mostly on portraits, and shooting basketball games. So the 100mm(or is it 105mm) macro you mentioned is what I'll look into getting. (The kind of lens I'll need for photographing the N.Y.C. skyline from the Staten Island side will of course have to wait awhile). I've definitely settled in on the 50mm f1.8 as a standard lens, and will try to do more research on that 28mm f2.8 you mentioned for the wide angle stuff. Thankns again. Darren. (Searcher7@mail.con2.com)

-- Darren Harris (Searcher7@mail.con2.com), May 30, 1999.

Have a look at www.kjsl.com/canon-fd. There are a number of reviews & tests on the range of lenses. FWIW, I agree with them.

Cheers,

Duane

-- Duane Kucheran (dkucheran@www.creo.com), June 02, 1999.