[Nikaroo22]

I am looking to purchase a lens with the intent of using a coupling ring for macro photography. I found an inexpensive 50mm FD lens. Will this work for my purpose? I know that it's for a 55mm camera. I am shooting with a Rebel XTi. But will this lens work as a prime with manual focus for me as well?

Thanks for the advice in advance.

[danpen]

I'll answer your second question first, you can use an FD Lens on an EOS Camera as a manual focus lens although obviously the camera can't control the lens aperture so you have to set that manually and then set the camera to match. This limits you to manual exposure or aperture priority. I've never done this but if you want to try you can get an adaptor from ebay.

Your first question I assume means you'd like to reverse mount the lens? In which case it will work but you will have to do something to keep the lens aperture open. Apparently you can buy a special "macro hood" which did this (may be hard to find) or it's possible to manufacture your own from the original rear lens cap.

There are adaptors which allow you to reverse mount the lens onto the camera or you can use an EF lens on the camera and reverse mount the FD Lens to that using an adaptor to connect the two filter rings. The latter option gives you greater magnification but you may have trouble finding a combination of lenses that give you reasonable image quality.

It could be a fun way to get started on macro photography for not too much cost but the flexibility and quality aren't going to be close to a proper macro lens.

Good luck and if you give it a try, post some of the results here.

cheers

Dan

[Markulous]

I have an M42 adapter to allow me to use 42mm lenses, of which there are an enormous number still around. A good fun way to expand your range of lenses, learn a little about exposure/shutter speed and not at great cost. I still use my 16mm Zenitar fairly regularly, tho' the 400mm, 50mm and 70-300mm much less so

[silkstone]

Nothing to add to what's already been said (but I will anyway )...

In case you didn't know, FD lenses date from the days before autofocus and were used with such gems as the Canon A1, AE1, etc back in the 1980s. They were superseded by the EF lenses when the EOS cameras were introduced, and the mounts are completely incompatible without an adapter (which may affect focus range if it doesn't have lens elements of its own, or quality if it does).

The quality of some of the FD prime lenses is very good, but on an EOS camera you would be restricted to manual everything.

Personally I wouldn't bother. Better to buy the EF 50mm f/1.8 and extension tubes.

[Nikaroo22]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will opt out of the FD lens that I was originally looking at. It sounds like the quality will not be worth the hassle of trying to find the other parts that I am needing it for. I really appreciate all the responses again. I am glad I asked before buying. It saved me from my high hopes turning into heartache and frustration.

Danpen... the links are not working for me. I get that wonderful error 404 file not found.

Silkstone... you mentioned extension tubes. Would this also consist of a converter? This is what I found on Amazon

What brands are recommended? I definitely am wanting something with metal connections.

[silkstone]

No - extension tubes have no glass in them and are a lot cheaper - they simply space the lens away from the camera so the focus distance is reduced. It's good for macro but you can no longer focus to infinity.

Amazon.co.uk: Kenko Ext Tubes Canon EOS Mount: Electronics & Photo

You can get them a lot cheaper than that - I paid about £70 for the Jessops auto tubes which are fine, and someone like B&H should have some.

[Soupdragon]

Originally Posted by silkstone

Nothing to add to what's already been said (but I will anyway )...

In case you didn't know, FD lenses date from the days before autofocus and were used with such gems as the Canon A1, AE1, etc back in the 1980s. They were superseded by the EF lenses when the EOS cameras were introduced, and the mounts are completely incompatible without an adapter (which may affect focus range if it doesn't have lens elements of its own, or quality if it does).

The quality of some of the FD prime lenses is very good, but on an EOS camera you would be restricted to manual everything.

Personally I wouldn't bother. Better to buy the EF 50mm f/1.8 and extension tubes.

"Aaaaaaa! the Canon A1, how I miss thee!"

[silkstone]

My very favouritest camera of all time. I'm eagerly awaiting a digital version. (Well, if Leica can do it....)

[Nikaroo22]

My first camera was a hand-me-down A1. I'm so confused with my new digital.

I found these extension tubes on ebay

[silkstone]

I'd avoid the cheapo ones. They don't appear to have contacts for auto exposure or autofocus (although it's usually better to focus manually for macro) and the mount is plastic. They could be seriously nasty.

Kenko are good.

[Nikaroo22]

I don't do plastic. Nasty stuff indeed. I think I am leaning more toward Kenko. Thanks bunches!