Canon FD: Popularity of SLR systems here

Oh, I loved the FD system back in the day.

But when they changed the lens mount on me, just as I was getting ready to spend a bundle ... well, I spent it on an Olympus system instead. The early EOS cameras were ugly, anti-ergonomic and ... well, I had no reason to stay with them.

When I bought a digital SLR, I was again tempted by the Canon 10D, but opted for a Nikon D100 instead. Now my Nikon system outweighs everything else I have put together.
 
Chris101 said:
Oh, I loved the FD system back in the day.

But when they changed the lens mount on me, just as I was getting ready to spend a bundle ... well, I spent it on an Olympus system instead. The early EOS cameras were ugly, anti-ergonomic and ... well, I had no reason to stay with them.
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I'm right with you, Chris. The AE1-P was my first "real" camera, and just when I started making enough money to be able to begin to purchase some nice glass, Canon changed the mount. I was major-ly bummed, and a bit angry at Canon. I still use the AE1-P sometimes, but it needs a CLA, as it has the dreaded screech ( not too bad, but still annoying ).
 
Also wanted to add my two cents' worth on the system as a whole. I really do like it, but it's hard going back to an slr after shooting rangefinders for awhile. I find the cameras utilizing fd lens system pretty comparable to the Nikon's at the time, but the Nikons always felt a bit more robust. I always found the ergonomics of the camera easy and intuitive.

Although, when I tried out the Oly OM system, I couldn't believe the way they handled ( OM2 and 4 ). They really were much more rangefinder-like than most slr's. It's just too damned bad that they have the shutter speed dial in the wrong place :mad:...
 
I purchased two A1 bodies and the 20, 24, 35, 50, macro, 100 and 200 plus a 1.4x extender. Loved the lenses with the exception of the 20 which I felt was the second worst lens I've owned and found the bodies just couldn't take the heavy use of professional photography. I sold them and bought 2 Leica Flex SL's and Mot. Lenses were great but the bodies were mothing like the M's in dependability. Sold those after a year or so and got back into Leica M's. I also had a number of other SL systems but never found any to be as durable and refined as Nikon. I'm still using my M's (2 MP's and M2) and Nikons (F, F2 and Nikkormat FTN).
 
Well, my Canon history.....

Well, my Canon history.....

Always one to shun the march of progress, I opted for the predecessor to the EOS mount by getting a Canon T90 "The Tank". Last Canon with the FD mount.

Good and versatile even today, it has been flawless in operation, although I may have it serviced by a fellow who deals with the notorious "eee" error, which I have not seen on this particular camera. Did see it on a second T90.

Prior to that, my long time Canon was the EF "Black Beauty".

For smaller, I do have OM's and for pocket an Olympus XA.
 
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My first good camera was a Canon TLb, bought at the age of seventeen when the FD system first came out. It was like an FTb, but very stripped down; top shutter speed was 1/500, there was no meter switch, etc. etc. Back then, my dream machine was an F-1. I've had dozens of other 35mm cameras, but somehow I've never had more fun than I had with that TLb, walking around to see how things looked through a viewfinder and learning to develop film and make prints. Later, I sold that camera to a high school friend and bought an old Nikon F to replace it.

I didn't leave Canon, Canon left me :).
 
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