Canon FD lens question

[Paul Sorensen]

So, I have a Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens here that I need to get rid of and do not know whether to post it in the free stuff thread or sell it for a few dollars.

I don't have a camera to test this on and I can't get the aperture to stop down at all. There are two tabs on the bottom, a larger one that does move, but not freely, and a smaller one that is completely frozen. The lens stays wide open no matter what I set on the aperture ring. Is this a lens in need of repair or is there something particular to Canon lenses that I do not know that I need to do to stop the thing down? I am betting it is broken, but would love to hear from someone who really knows their Canon FD stuff.

Thanks!

 

[Les Sarile]

That is how my Canon FD 50mm f1.8 works. Until it's mounted, the aperture position - the smaller one that is frozen, is wide open. Once mounted, that is released to be able to move and you can stop it down with the larger one that does move. Is easy for me to see this mounted on the front of my Canon auto bellows. The larger one that does move, but not freely should move from one end to the other albeit spring loaded.

 

[2F/2F]

I'd advertise it for ten or fifteen bucks plus shipping. Better than letting it sit, and I am not sure you could get a lot more anywhere else, as they are so common. Fine lens, there were just kajillions of them made, and most people can easily afford the 1.4 versions on the used market these days

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Yeah, I looked at eBay and am fully aware that it is worth about nothing either way!

So, if I understand you Les, there is not a way without mounting the lens to get the aperture to stop down at all. Moving the large lever (spring loaded sounds about right, there is resistance and then it kind of releases and moves) does not stop down the aperture and the little lever is totally frozen.

I will place an ad for a few bucks and see where it goes.

 

[John Koehrer]

If it's the breech lock lens, the lock has to be rotated to the mounted position. There's a small locking pin that locks the breech open. When the pin is depressed it will release the breech. When the ring has rotated to it's stop The aperture will begin to operate like most other lenses. You may have to push the levers to get it to do this.

 

[dnjl]

FD systems meter at full aperture, so unless you attach the lens to a camera and stop down manually, the diaphragm is only going to close prior to exposure. I think it's possible to just pull the levers on the back of the lens, but I have not done this before and wouldn't know how to.
As mentioned, this particular lens goes for little more than the price of an average pizza.

 

[flatulent1]

Give it to a local thrift shop.

Or remove the back and innards, leaving the front element in the focusing shell and use as a loupe.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

If it's the breech lock lens, the lock has to be rotated to the mounted position. There's a small locking pin that locks the breech open. When the pin is depressed it will release the breech. When the ring has rotated to it's stop The aperture will begin to operate like most other lenses. You may have to push the levers to get it to do this.

That's the ticket, I was able finally to get the silver ring turned and that did the trick. Seems like an okay lens, I will see if it is worth anything to someone.

Thanks to everyone!