Canon P with FD lenses?

[Al83]

I'd better start by saying that I am new to the Canon P, having bought one about a month ago. I have some old Canon FD lenses and was wondering if it is possible to buy a mount to be able to use these on the P. Does anyone know? Hope that's not too stupid a question! Cheers

 

[Scrambler]

I believe the answer is "yes, if you are lucky and patient." My understanding is that there were some FD to M39 adapters made by Canon back in the day. They occasionally crop up on auction sites and I guess they may be available through collectors agencies.

The question, though, would be "why?" Apart from wide angles they will be impossible to focus, not having a rangefinder cam. At best you can "guess focus" (zone focus). And the wide angles will all be retrofocus designs and therefore subject to more distortion than good RF lenses.

Your best bet if you want to shoot FD lenses would be a matching body.

Maybe an adapter for your NEX would be more in order!

 

[thirtyfivefifty]

Some useful information for you: http://www.cameraquest.com/nikonaf.htm

I would agree with "Why?" though.

 

[GaryLH]

+1.

U are going to need to zone focus those slr lenses.

U can use other lenses then the canon rf ones.. The Cosina Voitlander screw mount (ltm) or Leica ltm or Nikon ltm lenses.. Plus several lesser third party makers of ltm lenses.

Outside of the Canon adapter mentioned above.. I would check the Third party adapter makers but ymmv a lot compared to an OEM if u can find it.

Gary

 

[Al83]

Thank you, everyone! The "why" was simply because I have them and I wanted to play with the P before I buy some "proper" thread mount lenses. That said, I've just got an old Jupiter 8 to get me going. I've used the FD lenses on my NEX with some success. Any thoughts on the Jupiter 8? I put that on the NEX too and got some interesting results.

 

[Scrambler]

I love the J-8, the J-12 is OK (particularly for the price) and 50-55mm F2.8 Industar etc lenses seem to be fine but other Soviet lenses are a risk as they use a longer focusing pitch which doesn't match a Leica-spec rangefinder like the Canon P.

The 50's and 60's Japanese lenses are probably the best bang-for-buck after the 50mm Soviet lenses. But the dollars do start to add up.

For a straightforward setup can I suggest getting a J-12, you have your J-8 and add something in the 85-105mm range from a Japanese manufacturer, or get a genuine 90mm F4 elmar - the 90mm F4 lenses are pretty cheap as its not a popular choice these days. Shorter focal length lenses of equivalent quality are 3 times (and counting) more expensive. If you want a better optical quality the F2-F2.8 35mm Canon RF lenses have a good reputation.

You will get no idea at all of the Canon P if you don't use RF lenses.

 

[Scrambler]

I do understand the experimentation stage, but watch out - RF's can be addictive. I started with a FED 2, moved to a Leica IIIc, bought another as it was cheaper than repairs on my original, bought a Bessa R and have recently bought a Hexar RF. Lenses started with Industar (Tessar designs), moved to Jupiter 8 and 12 and then branched into Japanese (Nikon 85/F2 LTM). I think I've passed the Canon P stage (probably 1/2 way between the IIIc and Bessa R?)

 

[02Pilot]

+1 to everything Scrambler posted above. I've got the exact kit he describes - J-8, J-12, Elmar 90 f/4 - plus a Nikkor 135 f/3.5 for my Canon P. Great, but lately I've had the bug to move to something else in 50mm, just for variety; a Canon 50 f/1.5 is on its way to me as we speak. And I'm not entirely satisfied with the J-12, so at some point I anticipate wanting to replace that. And I'm sure after those desires are met something else will come up. It's an addiction for sure, and it does not get cheaper as it progresses.

 

[raid]

Canon Adapter B allows you to use FD lenses on ltm cameras. I sometimes use the 17/4 FD without rangefinder focusing or the FL 19/3.5. It is best suited for wide angle lenses.

 

[airds]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=23603

 

[randolph45]

Canon Adapter B allows you to use FD lenses on ltm cameras. I sometimes use the 17/4 FD without rangefinder focusing or the FL 19/3.5. It is best suited for wide angle lenses.

Ditto that for me Fd 24 mm and 19 Fl R+B adapter.Double adaptors for m mount on R-D1🙂

 

[harry01562]

Scrambler beyond the P ??

Scrambler beyond the P ??

I just read this thread, and the comment by Scrambler about the P. I wonder if he's ever actually handled one? I've used one for years, and it's beautifully built, wonderfully strong, has a decent VF, a back that opens (!), an, besides that, it's pretty!. Comparing prices, it's also a bargain in my book. Another bargain of sorts is the 7s or 7sz (unless you own the accessory clip adapter for the 7s). It represents the ultimate expression of Canon's RF design, and is a joy to own. These cameras still do not get the respect, and use, that they have earned, and deserve.
Just another example of the lack of Canon "Mystique".

Harry

 

[Scrambler]

I just read this thread, and the comment by Scrambler about the P. I wonder if he's ever actually handled one? I've used one for years, and it's beautifully built, wonderfully strong, has a decent VF, a back that opens (!), an, besides that, it's pretty!. Comparing prices, it's also a bargain in my book. Another bargain of sorts is the 7s or 7sz (unless you own the accessory clip adapter for the 7s). It represents the ultimate expression of Canon's RF design, and is a joy to own. These cameras still do not get the respect, and use, that they have earned, and deserve.
Just another example of the lack of Canon "Mystique".

Harry

I think you misunderstood me. And if you read all my posts you would know I had NOT used a P.

It was not the camera but the SLR lens I questioned. I would have loved a P but realistically I wouldn't use it enough to justify it. I think that as an unmetered LTM camera it is ideal.

 

[grapejohnson]

the jupiter 8 is an amazing lens, and it takes really beautiful pictures. i am an FD user and understand how hard it can be to find a decent FD body, i went through 3 before i settled on one i liked. personally, i think the new f-1 is the best of all if you're trying to find a good body for the lenses. as for RF, it is cool to be able to use frankencameras, but RFs have a super-accurate focusing mechanism for a reason. also, the FD lenses are all pretty big and might block your finder.