Canon FD - EF converter?

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

About eight years ago I bought someone's FD kit, bodies, lenses, flash, winders, filters, the whole thing. Rooting through the accessories recently I came across something that I take to be a converter for fitting EF lenses on an FD body mount - was such a thing available?

On top of a typical Canon breech mount ring is another black band marked: M< FTb/F1 EF SERVO, beneath which is a sliding lever. Am I correct in assuming it is a converter, and if so what are its possibilities and limitations?

kb244 · Mar 5, 2017

Never seen anything like that, I know you can put FD onto EOS (which course needed an correcting optics inside the adapter to bring the lens back to infinity, which could degrade the quality of the lens if the adapter was cheap).

IF it is possible, assuming infinity focus hasn't been lost, since the EOS mount registration distance is longer than the FD (but by only 2mm, EF 44mm, FD 42mm), the thickness of the adapter will most likely be thicker than 2mm, so if there's no glass in side, then there's no infinity correction. Could be for macro use.

The other limitation is, without electronics, there's no way to stop down the aperture if the adapter doesn't have aperture blades built in.

A picture of the adapter would be useful.

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

kb244 said:
A picture of the adapter would be useful.

Unfortunately I don't have any means of posting a picture. The black mount is approximately the same width as a Canon breech mount, which would make up the flange distance, and contains various levers and clamps that suggest it accepts an EF lens. It's also wider than the FD part internally. I have an EF lens that I could try on it, but the ingenuity of the parts suggests extracting it again if it's not an adapter would be no small task. That's why I'd like assurances from someone who knows before I dive in. It's clearly a Canon part, not an aftermarket item as the graphics, green highlights and breech mount are pure Canon FD.

If it isn't an FD-EF adapter, I don't have a clue what it might be.

flavio81 · Mar 5, 2017

blockend said:
About eight years ago I bought someone's FD kit, bodies, lenses, flash, winders, filters, the whole thing. Rooting through the accessories recently I came across something that I take to be a converter for fitting EF lenses on an FD body mount - was such a thing available?

On top of a typical Canon breech mount ring is another black band marked: M< FTb/F1 EF SERVO, beneath which is a sliding lever. Am I correct in assuming it is a converter, and if so what are its possibilities and limitations?

There was a Canon brand FD-EF converter that was really expensive, rare, high quality and usable only on certain FD telephotos. You might want it to sell it.

There are also off-brand converters available. They reduce the angle-of-view, and degrade image quality.

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

flavio81 said:
There was a Canon brand FD-EF converter that was really expensive, rare, high quality and usable only on certain FD telephotos. You might want it to sell it.

I've scoured the internet for a picture of it, but can't find one. It may be what you describe because it's clearly a vintage Canon unit, and a jewel like object with tiny moving parts. It also fits the kit I acquired which is totally comprehensive FD.

Dan Fromm · Mar 5, 2017

Are you sure it isn't for the Canon EF camera, not to be confused with the EF mount? If so, it will allow shutter priority AE with FD-mount lenses on an EF.

AgX · Mar 5, 2017

blockend said:
On top of a typical Canon breech mount ring is another black band marked: M< FTb/F1 EF SERVO, beneath which is a sliding lever. Am I correct in assuming it is a converter, and if so what are its possibilities and limitations?

In the common terminology your item is not a converter but an adapter.

Why would someone mount an EF lens just on old FTb or F1 bodies?
The EF in that designation sure refers to a Canon EF camera.

Likely to mount M42 lenses to FD bodies.

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

AgX said:
In the common terminology your item is not a converter but an adapter.

Why would someone mount an EF lens just on old FTb or F1 bodies?
The EF in that designation sure refers to a Canon EF camera.

Likely to mount M42 lenses to FD bodies.

No threading for M42, just two varieties of bayonet.

Sim2 · Mar 5, 2017

Hi,
A quick google search on EF Servo brings up the finder for the 'original' F1 that as has been said enables an auto function. I did not know about that finder - well, live and learn!
I don't think it is the FD/EOS converter that has been mentioned; that would have difficulty being described as a jewel like object. I had one when the EF mount was brought in, very useful for me but when I moved over to EF completely had no use for it. Should have kept it...
Perhaps you have part of the EF finder?

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

Picture links:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143683333@N04/32454063113/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143683333@N04/32426083104/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143683333@N04/33140995311/in/dateposted-public/

flavio81 · Mar 5, 2017

blockend said:
I've scoured the internet for a picture of it, but can't find one. It may be what you describe because it's clearly a vintage Canon unit, and a jewel like object with tiny moving parts. It also fits the kit I acquired which is totally comprehensive FD.

There are pictures on the net.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/fdlenses/fdeos.htm

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

flavio81 said:
There are pictures on the net.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/fdlenses/fdeos.htm

Clearly not that!

Theo Sulphate · Mar 5, 2017

Dan Fromm said:
Are you sure it isn't for the Canon EF camera, not to be confused with the EF mount? If so, it will allow shutter priority AE with FD-mount lenses on an EF.

The Canon EF allows shutter priority with FD lenses already, no special adaptor required.

For example...

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

AgX said:
The EF in that designation sure refers to a Canon EF camera.

The vintage suggests the EF camera (not EF mount) I agree, but I have no idea what it could possibly do. The unique aspect is a semi-circular plate on top that lifts via a large lever on the bottom. This is in addition to the usual stop down levers. Whatever the adapter does, this lifting plate is clearly central to its function.

blockend · Mar 5, 2017

A Flickrite suggests a Tamron Adaptall mount. Can anyone confirm?

Ricardo Miranda · Mar 5, 2017

blockend said:
A Flickrite suggests a Tamron Adaptall mount. Can anyone confirm?

I'm almost sure I saw a similar mount on a lens some mounts ago, but I can't remember the name of the lens.
It was very similar to your device.
It could be an early Adptall mount, or a later Adapt-A-Matic mount.
That would be a guess.

John Koehrer · Mar 5, 2017

Might find an answer here: http://global.canon/en/c-museum/lens.html
If it's not easy to find try an email to them

kb244 · Mar 5, 2017

Ricardo Miranda said:
I'm almost sure I saw a similar mount on a lens some mounts ago, but I can't remember the name of the lens.
It was very similar to your device.
It could be an early Adptall mount, or a later Adapt-A-Matic mount.
That would be a guess.

Though for adaptall/etc the front of the adapter is going to be a male fitting (protruding outward), won't look much like the eos mount which would be a female fitting to take the protruding part of the lens.

If one has a cellphone and can visit imgur.com, the image can be easily uploaded and linked.

emacs · Mar 5, 2017

With "FTb" and "F-1" also engraved on the ring I'm going to guess it predates the EF-mount by quite some time, and is therefore referring to the FD-mount EF camera. My guess would be some sort of interchangeable mount system, like Adaptall or T-mount (though it doesn't match either of those, so perhaps some other brand's design).

EDIT: With a bit of research, this seems to be an adapter for Sigma's YS system. Here's some more info: https://mycameracabinet.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/sigma-xq-39-80mm-f3-5/
Twisting to the "EF" mark is like setting the aperture ring on "A" on a Canon FD lens.

kb244 · Mar 5, 2017

emacs said:
With "FTb" and "F-1" also engraved on the ring I'm going to guess it predates the EF-mount by quite some time, and is therefore referring to the FD-mount EF camera. My guess would be some sort of interchangeable mount system, like Adaptall or T-mount (though it doesn't match either of those, so perhaps some other brand's design).

EDIT: With a bit of research, this seems to be an adapter for Sigma's YS system. Here's some more info: https://mycameracabinet.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/sigma-xq-39-80mm-f3-5/
Twisting to the "EF" mark is like setting the aperture ring on "A" on a Canon FD lens.

Not to mention on the lens itself it says EF SERV, so much closer to the OP's EF Servo marking.

blockend · Mar 6, 2017

emacs said:
EDIT: With a bit of research, this seems to be an adapter for Sigma's YS system.

I think you've nailed it. Thanks for putting the time in everyone, much appreciated!

Ricardo Miranda · Mar 6, 2017

emacs said:
With "FTb" and "F-1" also engraved on the ring I'm going to guess it predates the EF-mount by quite some time, and is therefore referring to the FD-mount EF camera. My guess would be some sort of interchangeable mount system, like Adaptall or T-mount (though it doesn't match either of those, so perhaps some other brand's design).

EDIT: With a bit of research, this seems to be an adapter for Sigma's YS system. Here's some more info: https://mycameracabinet.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/sigma-xq-39-80mm-f3-5/
Twisting to the "EF" mark is like setting the aperture ring on "A" on a Canon FD lens.

Thanks! That is it.

flavio81 · Mar 6, 2017

emacs said:
W
EDIT: With a bit of research, this seems to be an adapter for Sigma's YS system. Here's some more info: https://mycameracabinet.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/sigma-xq-39-80mm-f3-5/
Twisting to the "EF" mark is like setting the aperture ring on "A" on a Canon FD lens.

Well done!!

And allow me to add my 2 cents on why it said "F-1" and "EF" on the adapter: Up to 1975 there were only two Canon FD mount cameras able to do automatic exposure: The F-1 (with the EE Servo Finder) and the EF.

Canon FD - EF converter?

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