Cheap EOS lenses?

PatrickCheung

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Hey!

I found some mint looking Canon EOS mount film bodies today for relatively low prices... about $280HKD or $40USD. My dad used to use an EOS 630 when he was young, so I thought it might be fun to give it a shot... if I can get some cheap glass for it!

I've gotten Nikon F lenses for $20 here on RFF, and some Olympus OM stuff for around that price too... but I rarely ever see old EOS glass and don't really know how much it goes for or what to get and what to avoid.

I'm hoping not to spend much more than the body, so about $40USD. Is it possible?!

Thanks!
Patrick
 
As all the EOS lenses are usable in the modern Canon DSLRs there are no real cheap ones around. The cheapest of them all is the new 40mm pancake. The price for a new one is even cheaper than the cheapest used price I've seen for the fixed EOS lenses.
 
As Tom said, the lenses fit current bodies so true bargains are unlikely. Even the cheap zooms and 50mm f1.8 are mostly priced above what you are hoping for but you might grab a Sigma/Tamron/Tokina zoom for that price especially if you find a body with a lens for sale.

Another option if you have Olympus and Nikon glass would be to get adapters. No AF and you have to stop down the lenses manually but it's a cheap way to use the bodies.
 
I can vouch for the sharpness of the EF 35-80mm III. It's not expensive as it was an entry level lens. I see lens and camera kits sell for less than what the lens sells for.

I have a pair of EOS cameras, a 650 and an Elan II which work nicely. But two 650s are in the reject pile, one for a gummed shutter and one for draining its battery overnight.
 
Hi Patrick
The 50mm f1.8 is really a very good lens with a nice character wide open reminiscent of Canon LTM lenses IMO. Stopped down it's sharp as any 50mm. It's super cheap.
There are a few versions I understand. I have a metal mount version. It's my only AF lens for Eos.

Adapting "legacy" lenses onto Eos film bodies is just as easy as adapting onto digital.
You can get adapters cheap and then use Zuiko, M42 (yummy takumars !), Contax.... etc .

This is from the "Plastic fantastic" Eos 50mm f1.8 at wide open on a 5D. Showing that less modern rendering.
7741180936_fb36d71dc3_c.jpg
 
Look for off-brand (Sigma, Tokina, Tamron etc) consumer-grade zooms in EF mount. There are plenty of those collecting dust on the shelves at KEH for under $50, probably even less on eBay.
 
As all the EOS lenses are usable in the modern Canon DSLRs there are no real cheap ones around. The cheapest of them all is the new 40mm pancake. The price for a new one is even cheaper than the cheapest used price I've seen for the fixed EOS lenses.
The 50/1.8 still is cheaper. I would pick up one of those.

And pick up a non-digital compatible Sigma, a 24/2.8, 50/2.8, 90/2.8 and 180/5.6 - I've got the 24 and the 180 in A-mount and they're great!
 
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