Canon FD Lenses on an FL Mount Body?

[snegron7]

I recently purchased a Canon FT QL with a 50mm f1.8 FL lens for a really great price. It was only missing the little collar ring that goes around the shutter release button. So, I did some research and found two other FT QL bodies for almost nothing! My plan was to use at least one of them for parts ( to replace the small ring that surrounds the shutter release button missing from camera # 1). However, when I inspected the two "parts cameras", turns out they were in excellent working condition!!

So, now I'd like to buy a couple of FL lenses to mount onto those two recent cameras I got. Problem is there aren't many FL lenses available on the market. The few that I saw were kind of pricy (50mm f1.2, 85mm f1.8, etc.).

I have read conflicting info online about being able to use "newer" FD lenses on an older FL mount (breech lock type). I have no intention on using the meter in any of these 3 bodies, so I'm just looking for lenses that will fit the FL mount.

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with FL/FD lenses?

 

[Mackinaw]

You can use most any FD lens on a FL body. The breechlock mount is identical and they operate the same. I use my FD lenses on my Canon FP all the time.

JIm B.

 

[snegron7]

You can use most any FD lens on a FL body. The breechlock mount is identical and they operate the same. I use my FD lenses on my Canon FP all the time.

JIm B.

Thanks!!! That opens up plenty of options for me! Funny thing is that in all my years dealing with photography , I had never heard of the Canon FT QL or the FL lens mount system. These cameras are really well built and feel about the same as my old Nikon F bodies from the same era! Actually, these Canons have a much smoother operation than the Nikon F bodies. I can't wait to shoot a few rolls of film with them!

 

[hilltime]

Go to: Camera-wiki.org and look for Canon FT.
All the info about this Canon body and FL and FD compatibility.
Regards,

 

[David Murphy]

The FD's work great on an FL body and vice-versa as far as I know. Compatibility issues can get strange when trying to mix with the even earlier Canon R lenses, but I can't remember all the problems.

 

[KoNickon]

Stop-down metering with FL lenses, even on the FD bodies. Really beautifully made lenses, some with high gloss black paint. The FD lenses will have better coatings of course, but that's to be expected since they're newer.

 

[raid]

I focused on FD lenses and cameras for many years. It is a great camera system.

 

[CMur12]

As an aside, early FD lenses were breech lock, too.

- Murray

 

[mtnbkr]

I have both a Canon FT and Canon New F1 and a mix of FL and FD (breech-lock and nFD) lenses and used a TL when I was a college student in the 90). The FD lenses work fine on the FT and TL, though you'll still need to use stop-down metering as you would with FL lenses. FL lenses work on the FD camera, but you'll need to set the lens to manual and use stop-down metering on the FT body.

The FL 28/3.5 is nice lens as well for the FT and tends to go cheaply since it's not a fast lens and FL.

Chris

 

[heritagecameras]

Thanks!!! That opens up plenty of options for me! Funny thing is that in all my years dealing with photography , I had never heard of the Canon FT QL or the FL lens mount system.

One thing to watch out for is that the aperture ring an FD lens is not set to A or the green circle. If it is, it won't fit on an FT.

 

[JSteed#2]

Next level on the same general topic: what FD lenses can safely be mounted on my Canonflex? I just have the original 50 1.8 it came with.

 

[KoNickon]

I think the answer is, none: Canonflex

 

[David Murphy]

There's probably a T-adapter for Canonflex out there. At least that's an option, and there certainly were some interesting T mount lenses made IMO.