body for an FD Canon 50mm f1.2

Mark Fisher · Feb 3, 2015

I ran across a Canon breech lock FD mount 50mm f1.2 SSC. It isn't the fancy L lens, but it seems to be equally well appreciated. Since the FD lenses don't seem to mount to anything I have (OM-1, Leica M2), could someone recommend a body for this beast. My criteria is a modern battery, highly sensitive meter and an easy to focus screen. I'm leaning toward an A1 or one of the newer F1s, but that is based on all of one hour of research. Recommendations?

Thanks -- Mark

trythis · Feb 4, 2015

I don't know that the A1 can meter below 1.4. I remember reading that or something like that when researching my FL 1.2

Dennis S · Feb 4, 2015

That lens would work well with the A1 in stopped down mode. I use my FL 55/1.2 without problems. Not certain about the FD lens on a FD camera. Metering might not be necessary.

tokam · Feb 4, 2015

Just checked the manual for Canon A1. In aperture priority mode it goes to f1.2 on the dial. The only lenses that Canon state as incompatible are a few older FL and R lenses. Thus your FD 50mm f1.2 will work file.

Canon claims metering down to EV -2, or 8 seconds at f1.4 with 100 ISO film so you have fairly sensitive metering. There are Olympus and Pentax models that can meter far lower light levels but that is OT for this discussion.

I don't use my A1 much these days as I also have an F1-N, T90 and a gorgeous EF from 1975. All have silicon cell metering which is both sensitive and quick responding compared to CDS metering. The viewfinders are bright and easy to use on all of these models. Canon were up there with the best of them in nearly all regards.

The F1-N may be a bit of a stretch financially just to try out one FD lens. Then again you may like it and grab more FD lenses. As an orphaned mount, (compared to Nikon and Pentax K), FD lenses still go for low prices.

chip j · Feb 4, 2015

I just got a FTb w/new seala, CLA'd for $31. Nice!

Trask · Feb 4, 2015

I have and use (just this morning while walking to work!) my Canon T90 -- built-in drive, interchangeable screens, spot meter or center weighted or full averaging at the push of a button, great red LED (not LCD) readout. Runs on four AA batteries. It's a real workhorse.

benjiboy · Feb 4, 2015

I suggest the original canon F1.

AgX · Feb 4, 2015

dances_w_clouds said:
That lens would work well with the A1 in stopped down mode.

With all their A-type cameras except for the A-1 Canon warns against using a coupled FD-lens in stopped-down metering mode.

Fixcinater · Feb 4, 2015

I liked my A1 but I (still) have too many 35mm bodies and mostly use M42 lenses, so I got rid of it. Should have kept it as the viewfinder is better and I like the Aperture Priority mode. No problem getting batteries.

The F1 is a lead brick. The T90 may be better in that regard, no experience there.

j-dogg · Feb 4, 2015

GarageBoy · Feb 4, 2015

New F1

flavio81 · Feb 4, 2015

Note: If it's the breech lock lens then it is a 55mm, not a 50mm. The FD 55/1.2 was one of my favorite lens.

I've owned the A-1, AE-1, and now i own the EF. I have also used a FTb, and handled a Canonflex, T70 and T90.

I liked the AE-1 a lot; i loved the A-1 except for the fact that it is not so user-friendly on manual mode. But the meter on the A-1 is hyper sensitive and very reliable once you read the manual's guidelines on using it. I shot many pics with my A-1, some of them which I sold and got used commercially.

All those cameras are good.

Dennis S · Feb 4, 2015

F1n. Hate to see ALL the F1s' not mentioned.

Mainecoonmaniac · Feb 4, 2015

Love my good old F-1(n). Had it for over 30 years and it's like an old friend. It's built like a tank but it's a fine photographic instrument.

Mark Fisher · Feb 4, 2015

Thanks.....I think I'll try to grab an F1N in bargain condition at KEH....I like simple.. Thanks all.

tokam · Feb 4, 2015

benjiboy said:
I suggest the original canon F1.

Isn't the original F1 CDS metering? He's after sensitive metering which means he may also need the Speedbooster or
equivalent to achieve the metering sensitivity he requires.

benjiboy · Feb 5, 2015

tokam said:
Isn't the original F1 CDS metering? He's after sensitive metering which means he may also need the Speedbooster or
equivalent to achieve the metering sensitivity he requires.

I suggested the old F1 on the grounds of price, the New F1 would be better as you write if he can afford it, it has a hybrid electo-mechanical shutter, a modern battery and a silicon metering cell and he says that's what he's going to buy.

John Koehrer · Feb 5, 2015

To be specific, there are three versions of the F1.

F1 original. will have a metal advance lever, Including the tip. PX625 or PX 13 battery.

F1n (small n) Plastic tip on advance, internal improvements.

F1N newest, also referred to as NEW F1 with electromechanical shutter. Easiest to ID because the prism is far different(top's not pointed) and the finish is matte black, not glossy. Uses readily available battery and battery chamber is on the wind side of the camera, not the bottom.

Whiteymorange · Feb 5, 2015

chip j said:
I just got a FTb w/new seala, CLA'd for $31. Nice!

Take the Ftb It's the consumer version of the F1 and, many people believe, an equally good camera. The f1.2 will do nicely on it.

flavio81 · Feb 5, 2015

Whiteymorange said:
Take the Ftb It's the consumer version of the F1 and, many people believe, an equally good camera. The f1.2 will do nicely on it.

The FTb is a very nice camera but it's a complely different machine, not a consuner version of the F1. The closest to a consumer version of the F1 was the EF but only on aesthetics.

Dennis S · Feb 6, 2015

John Koehrer said:
To be specific, there are three versions of the F1.

F1 original. will have a metal advance lever, Including the tip. PX625 or PX 13 battery.

F1n (small n) Plastic tip on advance, internal improvements.

F1N newest, also referred to as NEW F1 with electromechanical shutter. Easiest to ID because the prism is far different(top's not pointed) and the finish is matte black, not glossy. Uses readily available battery and battery chamber is on the wind side of the camera, not the bottom.

Mentioned #10, #11 & #13 ;o)

blockend · Feb 6, 2015

Mark Fisher said:
Thanks.....I think I'll try to grab an F1N in bargain condition at KEH....I like simple.. Thanks all.

Hope you're lucky, I've never found well used professional cameras a great idea. They've mostly been thrashed, whereas amateur cameras are generally pampered in cases with lens caps and filters. Personally I'd cough up for a good F1n or try a T90. They're ridiculously cheap for a semi-pro camera, and have a very sophisticated metering system. I saw one on ebay a few weeks ago with a recent CLA for £50. I paid £40 and got a CLA for £35 and it looks like new. The FTb is nice but not IMO built to the same standard as the equivalent Nikkormat.

benjiboy · Feb 6, 2015

blockend said:
Hope you're lucky, I've never found well used professional cameras a great idea. They've mostly been thrashed, whereas amateur cameras are generally pampered in cases with lens caps and filters. Personally I'd cough up for a good F1n or try a T90. They're ridiculously cheap for a semi-pro camera, and have a very sophisticated metering system. I saw one on ebay a few weeks ago with a recent CLA for £50. I paid £40 and got a CLA for £35 and it looks like new. The FTb is nice but not IMO built to the same standard as the equivalent Nikkormat.

I've owned a T90 and an A1 for more than 20 years and although they have always functioned perfectly I don't trust them and if they ever crapped out on me I wouldn't spend any money on them they would go in the bin, whereas my New F1's that I've also had for more than 20 years without any problems I certainly would have repaired because to me they are the perfect 35mm SLR camera if I had to sit down and design one.
It's significant that Canon New F1's in excellent condition on auction sites sell for three or four times more than T90's or
A1's in the same condition because it's generally considered they were built out of better materials to closer tolerances whose design concept was to have a longer service life than consumer grade models.

blockend · Feb 6, 2015

I don't doubt an F1 is well built, but experience of former professionally used bodies suggests many are knackered. Like I said, if he finds a good one cheap it's an excellent choice, if it were my money I'd pay another hundred or so for a clean, well looked after one, or look at the alternatives. The T90 was widely used by photojournalists and earned the nickname "the tank". It is of course from the electronic era, and shares the same foibles as other LCD, electronic shutter cameras.

It really depends whether he's looking for a platform for a single lens, as he said, or he wants to make an investment in FD Canons.

benjiboy · Feb 6, 2015

I agree entirely blockend except for the bit about the T90, it was nicknamed " The Tank" not because of it's reputation for durability but after the Soviet T90 main battle tank with which it shared the same designation

body for an FD Canon 50mm f1.2

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