What Canon lenses will fit a FTb?

[chip j]

There are FDs, New FDs, FDns, and God knows what else. I don't want to have to use stopprd-down metering. Thanks.

 

[MattKing]

All the FD lenses will, and will offer open-aperture metering.

Some may offer functions with other cameras that the FTb doesn't offer (e.g. auto-exposure).

Double check before you buy something really exotic, like a really wide fish-eye. I can't remember if there are any of the really unusual lenses that limit functionality with an FTb.

 

[Fixcinater]

From what I know there are two main categories of FD:

FD Breech lock (with silver ring near the mount)
FD New (black ring) that mounts more like a bayonet.

The earlier FL would require stopped down metering, same with any oddities like MattKing mentioned. Anything FD is pretty safe to assume it's alright.

 

[AgX]

The FTb was the first camera that had the FD bayonet. (Together with the F-1 introduced the same time.)

That FD means not only having that automatic-aperture feature (aperture closing down to preset value) but metering at full open aperture and coupling between aperture ring and meter.

it takes

-) all FD lenses
(breech-lock and true-bayonet differences only affect the handling during mounting)

-) all FL lenses
(except for FLP 38mm F 2.8 as this was intended for cameras with static mirror)

-) all Canonflex lenses

 

[blockend]

Steer clear of later Canon lenses, EF, EF-S (autofocus EOS lenses in other words), and you'll be fine. The FTb has some useful features, including a compact metering area visible through the viewfinder, and a neat semi-auto load system. The downside is it's mercury battery powered but there are common workaround for that.

 

[benjiboy]

All canon FD lenses will fit and work correctly on a Canon FTb, Only the FL lenses need stop down metering.

 

[gone]

Keep in mind that the Canonflex lenses will have to be used in stop down metering mode. It's worth it though, as they are really great lenses.

 

[AgX]

To sum it up:

-) FD-lenses
stepped down, automatic aperture, open-aperture metering (auto-exposure with appr. body, not with FT-b)

-) FL-lenses
stepped down and automatic aperture

-) Canonflex-lenses
stepped dowm (automatic aperture only functional at Canonflex-bodies)

 

[flavio81]

There are FDs, New FDs, FDns,

The differences are small -- all FD lenses are compatible with all FD camera bodies.

The FTb mounts FD, FL, and R ("Canonflex", "Super-Canomatic") lenses.

The FTb is a good manual focus camera and the Canon lenses are superb, among the best ever. Canon was among the first manufacturers (or the first?) to design lenses based on optimization of the MTF (modulation transfer function). Also, good background blur (or "bokeh") was always a priority for lens designers, so most lenses have good characteristics in this regard.

These were the general guidelines for designing FD lenses, as stated by legendary lens designer Hiroshi Ito, copied from the Canon History Hall:

1)The number of lens elements should be minimized, and aberrations should be corrected perfectly.
2)Flare should be reduced even at maximum aperture, and blur should be uniform. The smaller the aperture, the sharper the image should become.
3)The overall image should uniformly have high resolution and contrast.
4)Natural color should be reproduced and well balanced throughout the entire lens series.
5)All mechanisms should be easy-to-operate and durable.

These five guidelines have been the underlying concept for the development of all Canon lenses to date.

The following technical criteria were specifically addressed:

1)Central resolution exceeding 100 lines per millimeter should be ensured
2)Functions for producing high contrasts should be added
3)To minimize the color balance difference among lenses and to achieve the predetermined color balance, the appropriate glass material and multi-layer coating technology should be used
4)Flare should be reduced by optimizing the lens configuration and preventing interface reflections. Technology for preventing reflection from the inner barrel and components should be developed. The barrel should prevent non-image forming light from entering the lens.

 

[AgX]

Well, one commonly distinguishes between (old)FD and FD-new lenses.
But this basically is an issue of handling during mounting. But even when taking over old designs into the new version there were barrel modifications that may be important for some.

 

[benjiboy]

I really appreciate the new FD lenses, mainly because of their polymer barrels that if you are lugging a bag full of them around are much lighter than their metal barrelled breech lock predecessors and are just as reliable, I've had all my new FD lenses more than 25 years and they have never had any problems with them, the only metal barrelled FD lens I own is the 35mm f2 Thorium lens.

 

[chip j]

The differences are small -- all FD lenses are compatible with all FD camera bodies.

The FTb mounts FD, FL, and R ("Canonflex", "Super-Canomatic") lenses.

The FTb is a good manual focus camera and the Canon lenses are superb, among the best ever. Canon was among the first manufacturers (or the first?) to design lenses based on optimization of the MTF (modulation transfer function). Also, good background blur (or "bokeh") was always a priority for lens designers, so most lenses have good characteristics in this regard.

These were the general guidelines for designing FD lenses, as stated by legendary lens designer Hiroshi Ito, copied from the Canon History Hall:

1)The number of lens elements should be minimized, and aberrations should be corrected perfectly.
2)Flare should be reduced even at maximum aperture, and blur should be uniform. The smaller the aperture, the sharper the image should become.
3)The overall image should uniformly have high resolution and contrast.
4)Natural color should be reproduced and well balanced throughout the entire lens series.
5)All mechanisms should be easy-to-operate and durable.

These five guidelines have been the underlying concept for the development of all Canon lenses to date.

The following technical criteria were specifically addressed:

1)Central resolution exceeding 100 lines per millimeter should be ensured
2)Functions for producing high contrasts should be added
3)To minimize the color balance difference among lenses and to achieve the predetermined color balance, the appropriate glass material and multi-layer coating technology should be used
4)Flare should be reduced by optimizing the lens configuration and preventing interface reflections. Technology for preventing reflection from the inner barrel and components should be developed. The barrel should prevent non-image forming light from entering the lens.

Well, I'm sending back a 35mm 2.8 New FD because of significant barrel distortion; I'll stick w/my 35mm 2.0 Nikkor AI.

 

[benjiboy]

I've used an FD 35mm f2.8 lens for more than 25 years and never noticed any significant barrel distortion effecting my pictures, but you are probably more critical than I.

 

[flavio81]

Well, I'm sending back a 35mm 2.8 New FD because of significant barrel distortion; I'll stick w/my 35mm 2.0 Nikkor AI.

Thanks for mentioning; now I know of a lens to avoid. Have you tried the 35/3.5?

 

[chip j]

My mistake---I checked the Canon 35mm 2.8 a different way & It has a lack of linear distortion. Sorry!

 

[AgX]

a lack of linear distortion

What do you mean by that?

 

[chip j]

Straight lines don't bow out at the edges.