Canon FD lenses on a Bessa-L?

[iamzip]

This is a tangent off of another thread I started recently: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59829
I started this thread seperately hoping that people who might know something about this would see it.

Basically I just got a Bessa-L body of the 'Bay because it seemed like a good price. It's my first screw mount body so I don't have any lenses for it, and I don't know much about it. I also don't have hundreds of dollars to plunk down on lenses. That being said, I've read about using an adapter to mount FD lenses onto LTM bodies with much success. This would be ideal for me since I already have a small collection of FD lenses for my A-1. I have located a few used examples for sale online, and was simply wondering if anyone had any first hand experience with this - I did a search and found a few mentions from a couple of years back.

 

[raid]

Canon Adapter B allows the use of Canon FD lenses on Leica screw mount camera bodies. It is available for about $125 online.

 

[MartinP]

Hmmm, for $125 you can set yourself up with a couple of characterful FSU lenses, and a finder to suit . . .

 

[raid]

I sometimes use the Canon 7.5mm and 17mm lenses on my Leica.

 

[zoz63]

I am selling one for $70 including Canon Manual Diaphragm Adapter.

 

[gb hill]

I have a Bessa L I also have Canon fd lenses but I dont see why I would want to use my fd lenses on my bessa L body when I have a AE-1 p. Most of my fd lenses weigh more than my Bessa L body & I would think the camera would feel awkward. Plus you would need a finder for the lens & by the time you spent all that money for an adapter plus a finder for the lens you would have about what you can pay for a snapshot skopar 25/4 like I use on my L. I think I saw a 25/4 here last week for $175.00. That is an excellent lens so be patient save a little money and wait. In the meantime enjoy your A-1. Or get a little fixed lense rf like a Yashica gtn.

 

[iamzip]

My main concern is economy. I bought the body without even looking at lenses because it seemed like a good deal. I have found a Canon B adapter for as low as $50. That plus an inexpensive viewfinder would (hopefully) put me at around $100, and then I would have both a 28 and a 35, I could even try a 50. That's certainly enough to keep me going until I save up enough to buy a nice screw mount lens.

What's the Manual Diaphragm Adapter? Is that the piece that keeps the lens stopped down?

 

[gb hill]

Maybe this will help know what a Canon manuel adapter is.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/av1/htmls/index6.htm

 

[raid]

Maybe this will help know what a Canon manuel adapter is.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/av1/htmls/index6.htm

Where can I get this adapter? Is it costly?

 

[payasam]

Raid, the diaphragm adapter is not needed with the breech lock FD lenses.

 

[raid]

Raid, the diaphragm adapter is not needed with the breech lock FD lenses.

I have several FD lenses that need this adapter.

 

[payasam]

I once saw someone using a piece of paper rolled up and flattened. I should think that anything that wedges the diaphragm actuating lever in the closed position would do. A Canon-made adapter may well be impossible to find.

 

[iamzip]

The bayonet lenses do need something such as the manual diaphragm adapter to stop them down for use on M39 bodies. The breech lock should not. Looking at the adapter on http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/av1/htmls/index6.htm
it looks like something that could be easily fabricated.

Raid, how would you describe your experience / results using the FD lenses on a Leica body? Any problems?

 

[raid]

The bayonet lenses do need something such as the manual diaphragm adapter to stop them down for use on M39 bodies. The breech lock should not. Looking at the adapter on http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/av1/htmls/index6.htm
it looks like something that could be easily fabricated.

Raid, how would you describe your experience / results using the FD lenses on a Leica body? Any problems?

I used the fisheye 7.5mm lens which is unique, and I also tried out the 17mm lens. Buying such lenses for the Leica would cost a fortune. The lenses work fine, but with FD lenses I have to use them at the max aperture.

 

[Scarpia]

Nikon SLR lens on Bessa L

Nikon SLR lens on Bessa L

I recently used a Nikon 50mm F2 manual SLR lens with a leinik adapter on my Bessa L. I have also used this lens on a Canon EOS with another adapter. I have LTM lenses but enjoy hacking lenses if I can do so cheaply.
Kurt M.

 

[Scarpia]

These pictures were both taken in Jackson Hts., Queens the U.S.'s most diverse neighborhood. The cart is an Indian lunchcart and the flea market was held outside the Jewish center. For history buffs the cart stands on the spot where British General Howe briefly stationed his troops in 1776. The Indians then weren't from South Asia and the streets were farmland. This is where Newtown pippins originally came from.
Kurt M.

 

[John Robertson]

I use my Arsat 35mm shift lens on my Bessa R2, with an adapter PK to M39. Its quite easy to judge the shift.

 

[payasam]

I'd consider iamzip's suggestion and try to fabricate an adapter. Maybe a pencil eraser could be cut into shape with a sharp knife...

 

[iamzip]

I think I have an idea for the perfect material to fabricate a manual diaphragm adapter, but I will not post any details until I try it out myself.