New Canon FD Group

[benjiboy]

I just started a Canon FD group , and would like to invite anyone who uses, or is thinking of buying into the FD system to join me to discuss our equipment, our pictures, and our experiences using it.

 

[Whatadame]

I shoot with a pair of old Canon A-1 cameras. I've found that FD mount lenses are plentiful and inexpensive. I've never actually used any of the auto anything features of the cameras, just shoot full manual.

 

[colrehogan]

My first camera was my dad's Canon AE-1 Program. I still have it and use it.

 

[Frank Szabo]

After a few 35mms (Argus bricks and such), I got an AE-1 Canon. Not sure what ever happened to it. Then an A-1 that developed "the squeak" and not sure what happened to it either (bad time in my life).

Now, I've got and old, beat up F-1n with some of its specialty goodies for B&W shooting - fun old camera. Not worth much anymore so I'll keep it 'til it melts down.

Anymore, I can normally be found using 2 other beat-up cameras - a redone Kodak 2D and a nasty old Hasselblad.

(I won't admit to the 30D here).

 

[2F/2F]

My first camera, and still my favorite all-around 35mm system!

 

[Uncle Bill]

I started off on an AE-1 but joined the Nikkor nation four years ago.

 

[Dennis S]

Just got my A-1 back from the shop (new shutter & LA) Got a VERY good deal on a AE-1 Program while my A-1 was in the hospital. The AE-1 Program even came with its original case so it was very pristeen cond. So my collection is A-1, AE-1 Prog. AV-1. Did have an F-1 but someone did their damndest to get it from me and succeded. All with power winders and flash. Am looking for a AT-1 to fill out my collection.. And FD lenses don't get me started I have a few. Canon Film Cameras seem draw a lot of attention when I am out shooting. Will be watching this thread.

 

[Dennis S]

Just shot and developed a roll of Arista Ultra 400 @ 200 on my rebuilt A-1. NICE. I guess you cannot kill these Canon SLRs . Am looking for many more years of use. The Canon F-1 that got ripped off gave me about 5 yrs total of shooting 2 rls a week (minimum). Whomever got it will HAVE to do a CLR on it very soon (HA HA !!) My AV-1 is wore out also but I won't be spending anything on that one. Just keep it for the look.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I have an F-1, A-1,an FTbq and and a bunch of FD lenses ( along with a RolifexTLR and RB 67). I love him all.
Jeff

 

[hansutrecht]

My brother-in-law used to have some FD equipment and he got me interested... Now I've got F1n (LA and worn, but shooting fine), A-1 (with sqeak), AT-1, FTb with 20mm to 300mm. I sold an AE-1, just coudn't get used to it. My favourite lens is the 1,8/85mm; second best is the 35-105 3,5/4,5 zoom.
Hans

 

[Adrian D]

Liking it!

In my early 20's I used an A1 with the standard 50mm, a 35-70 and I think it was a 100mm prime, a real cracker that one was, all FDs. Being a bit of a "chopper and changer" of equipment, the outfit went towards funding something else, but I have often thought I should have kept it all (don't we all!)

A few weeks ago a friend gave me a "broken" T90 with a couple of non Canon zooms, saying, "here you are, you're into film cameras, maybe you can use the lenses for something...." Well, after a quick clean out of the battery compartment I found I had a fully working SLR on my hands. My friend wasn't interested in having it back ("I'm d_'-**l only these days, wouldn't use anything else!") and so I thought I'd see if I could get a nice 50mm FD prime for it, as I seem to do most of my 35mm work with such a lens. An ebay transaction later, I was the proud owner of a breechlock 50mm which is sweet as a nut, as they say, for the princely sum of £8. I love it. Yes, its an early, clunky, noisy, fully electronic body, but it is great fun to use, and I love that big clear viewfinder image, and that £8 lens is a cracker. The bargains are out there for sure.

Just after that another friend said to me " I've been clearing out some stuff and found my old film camera, are you interested in having a play around with it? I only use d*****l these days..."

It turned out to be a lovely AE1, with a bayonet mount 50mm FD. So far I've put a couple of rolls of Tri-X through it, and again, what a lovely camera it is to use. Using them both has brought back the enjoyment of using that early A1. And that second friend hasn't yet asked for the AE1 back....

Lets hear it for the FDs, and the enjoyment that they can still offer. Nice thread!!

 

[AgX]

The first camera I really used was an AE-1, new on the market then. Meanwhile I stepped over to the T90 firstly because of the great meter (balance type zero-adjust with lots of features) and though much havier, it fits nicely into my right hand and is held much more comfortably due to the body finely shaped into a grip.

 

[Vonder]

I have pretty much the complete line of A-series cameras and my favorite lens is the 50mm 1.4 variety that was used as the standard by which other lenses were judged, and yes, it's THAT good. I love the thing, and all my FD gear.

But let's face it, ALL of the manual focus lines from the 70's to around 1985 kicked butt. Pick one. Olympus, Chinon, Miranda, Nikon, Mamiya, Fujica, Minolta, Konica, Pentax, Ricoh, "Sears", Yashica... I have used them all. Pretty much. They come in different flavors but what they all do in common is take GREAT pictures. Assuming a good lab. I recently used a different local lab because they gave me $100 free printing (film, digital, whatever) when I bought a Sony A200 from them. They, um, well, to put it kindly, they stink. I won't be using them after my freebie runs out. I'm lucky to have a great lab in town that does great work.

 

[raid amin]

I started out as a college student with the Canon AE-1, followed by the A-1. Then I went for the F1N,followed by the T90. These are wonderful "machines'.

I have many FD lenses, ranging from the 7.5mm to the 500mm/4.5L.The FD lenses are quite inexpensive to get these days.

 

[Dennis S]

My favorite FD lenses are the zooms. One lens and you have a big range of mm to use. I have 2. On my A-1 a 35-85mm 1: 2.8 fstp. On my AE-1 Pgrm I use a 28-90mm 1: 2.8 fstp. Great for going on a shoot without packing alot of gear. For closeups of nature I use my A-1. It has a 72mm glass on front which is great. I have a few filters which are interchangable with adaptor rings. It's hard on film but thats what bulk loaders are for.

 

[benjiboy]

My brother-in-law used to have some FD equipment and he got me interested... Now I've got F1n (LA and worn, but shooting fine), A-1 (with sqeak), AT-1, FTb with 20mm to 300mm. I sold an AE-1, just coudn't get used to it. My favourite lens is the 1,8/85mm; second best is the 35-105 3,5/4,5 zoom.
Hans

My favourite lens is the 85mm 1.8 too Hans, and because I shoot mainly portraits my most used one because of the natural perspective it gives of the human face, in fact I use it so much I bought another one recently because it was so cheap it cost less than getting the one I had already repaired if it ever becomes faulty.

 

[P C Headland]

I too was given an AE-1 with an f1.7 50mm by a friend. I've added an f2.8 28mm, f3.5 35mm, f2.8 100mm and an f2.5 135mm. All are the older breechlock lenses with the silver lock ring.

It's certainly a nice camera to use, even though it is only 35mm

 

[benjiboy]

I too was given an AE-1 with an f1.7 50mm by a friend. I've added an f2.8 28mm, f3.5 35mm, f2.8 100mm and an f2.5 135mm. All are the older breechlock lenses with the silver lock ring.

It's certainly a nice camera to use, even though it is only 35mm

That's a a pretty useful outfit P.C., you have chosen some good lenses, I have a mixture new type and breech lock, I think the B/L ones are better made, I have had the 28mm f2.8, and 100mm 2.8 lenses for many years and they are excellent .

 

[GaryMc]

FD Adapters?

I had an old Exakta V on the shelf with a Zeiss Tessar 50mm 3.5 on it. I kept thinking man i bet that lens was good in its day. I was talking to my man at his camera store the other day about adapters and BAM!!! out from the back room came a in the box Canon lens mount converter E and a Canon A for screw mount. SOLD!!!! Has anyone ever used the Exakta lens on an FD camera? I was half way through a roll of Ilford 3200 now with this lens i don't know what to expect. It looks kinda cool.

 

[pcyco]

hallo

i "learned" to photograph with my mothers AT1 in the end seventies.
30 years later my mother gave me her whole equipment.
since this point my eos-5 has not so much to do anymore.
i only have fix-lenses 28-35-50-90 , i dont like zooms .

i´m now looking for a better 28er because mine is a beroflex and the borders have too much shadows.

---------------
thomas

 

[benjiboy]

Would members with post about Canon F.D equipment please go to the Groups section, and post them on the Canon FD Group.
Thanks

 

[AgX]

Ben,

those postings won't show up in the general postings overview and will only be visible to anyone visiting that group. But I guess there are a lot of members out there who don't want to join a seperated group but still could deliver hints if they stumble over a FD problem placed under 35mm gear.

 

[benjiboy]

As you were

AgX - Yes, I suppose you have a point I hadn't thought about, I was just trying to avoid trying to ride two horses at the same time, in that case, Please disregard my previous request.