Why can't i use a 58mm f1.2 on a Canon f-1N

mesantacruz · Jul 21, 2015

Hello,

I've searched high and low on google, and have not found an answer of why, just quotes referring me to the manual, stating which lenses i cannot use on the canon f-1N.

Can someone be so kind as to enlighten me why i can't.

The only reason i have found is loss of metering, which i don't find to be a big deal.
others have stated than on some previous cameras you needed mirror lock-up, this one is a deal breaker.

Thank you ahead of time, i'm heading to work, but will come back for an answer.

Edit**

This is an FL lens

cuthbert · Jul 21, 2015

Which 58 mm f1.2 are you talking about? a FL lens?

Mainecoonmaniac · Jul 21, 2015

Canon F1(n) should take all Canon FD lenses.

mesantacruz · Jul 21, 2015

yes to FL lens
ooops, yes, I just spoke with mr ken oikawa, and he said i should be able too

i also found a quote online with someone with the same question
and actually contacted canon this is part of the response, he had previously had a viewfinder problem question.

"I asked the desk personelle at Canon and emailed Canon HQ about the 58mm, and neither could give me a definitive answer as to why I'm not supposed to be able to use that lens. (I'm doubting that it was the cause for the viewfinder problem.)"

MattKing · Jul 21, 2015

Does it interfere with the mirror in a FD mount camera?

summicron1 · Jul 21, 2015

mesantacruz said:
Hello,

I've searched high and low on google, and have not found an answer of why, just quotes referring me to the manual, stating which lenses i cannot use on the canon f-1N.

Can someone be so kind as to enlighten me why i can't.

The only reason i have found is loss of metering, which i don't find to be a big deal.
others have stated than on some previous cameras you needed mirror lock-up, this one is a deal breaker.

Thank you ahead of time, i'm heading to work, but will come back for an answer.

Edit**

This is an FL lens

I have a canon F1n and an FL 1.2 lens and they work fine together. You have to use stop-down metering with it, but since I don't use the meter in the camera anyway, who cares?

A lot of sites will tell you that "that lens won't work on that camera" because it doesn't FULLY work, ie-the metering thing. But as long as the mount fits and the lens stops down when you fire the shutter, you're good to go.

ic-racer · Jul 21, 2015

I suspect that is an expensive lens. 35mm camera bodies are inexpensive. Can't you trust the manual and just buy the body that fits the lens?

cuthbert · Jul 21, 2015

The FL 58 mm f1.2 should fit the NEW F-1 without problems...the rear element doesn't protrude much like certain wide lenses, if you have read it doesn't fit on the manual I assume it's a typo.

flavio81 · Jul 21, 2015

Mesantacruz,

Good question, good for nerds like me. I've reviewed the F-1N manual and indeed it advises against mounting, among others:

R 58/1.2
and
FL 58/1.2

Any reason for advising against the lens would be based on the assumption that some rear protrusion will interfere with the body. You can do a simple test and check that this is not the case.

Another reason would be that the metering system would't be accurate with it. This might be a reason as well with the strange 58/1.4 design.

trythis · Jul 21, 2015

The FD cameras I have owned had the same restriction. They could not meter with 1.2 apertures accurately. The EF body (nothing to do with EOS cameras) and the A1 share the restriction. The FL lenses lack the nub that tells the body which max aperture the lens has.
I made a stick on nubs for testing and had no problems but it may be that the aperture actuating lever on the camera is not designed for these 1.2 FL
lenses and could damage the FD camera body mechanisms. Just speculation there.

Typos made on a tiny phone...

Mackinaw · Jul 21, 2015

Some FL and R lenses won’t fit on some Canon FD bodies. There’s a “bulge” on the lower rear of some lenses that physically interferes with mounting the lens on the body.

That being said, my FL 58/1.2 mounts and operates perfectly on my F-1N (albeit in stop-down mode only). My R 58/1.2 will also mount on my F-1N, but with difficulty.

Jim B.

mesantacruz · Jul 23, 2015

Thanks for all the feedback, I mounted the lens and it doesn't seem to affect the camera mechanically.

With that being said, the camera does not meter as mentioned. I will be using this combination as I could care less about the metering working or not.

Thanks once again, to all who responded.

cuthbert · Jul 23, 2015

mesantacruz said:
With that being said, the camera does not meter as mentioned. I will be using this combination as I could care less about the metering working or not.

Not even stepped down?

mesantacruz · Jul 24, 2015

Well, I'm sorry, it does meter, just not 'accurately'. If the lens is stopped down it meters. Also, when metering open, the camera thinks it's at f 2.8.

All is well though, lens went in for a cleaning with Mr oikawa.

alanegreen · Aug 11, 2015

The F1N is not metering correctly because, although the lens mounts mechanically, the rear of the lens pushes the maximum aperture plunger on the camera. For the camera to meter accurately in stop down mode, this plunger needs to be at 'full extension'. This is why the camera is reporting the lens as having a maximum aperture of f/2.8

If you are happy to use an external meter, or make the appropriate correction via the ASA setting, you will be fine.

flavio81 · Aug 11, 2015

alanegreen said:
The F1N is not metering correctly because, although the lens mounts mechanically, the rear of the lens pushes the maximum aperture plunger on the camera. For the camera to meter accurately in stop down mode, this plunger needs to be at 'full extension'. This is why the camera is reporting the lens as having a maximum aperture of f/2.8

If you are happy to use an external meter, or make the appropriate correction via the ASA setting, you will be fine.

Mystery solved!

Why can't i use a 58mm f1.2 on a Canon f-1N

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