 Becky |
What kind of lenses should I look into Oh what a beautiful morning...LA LA LA...Hello- I have a Canon AE-1 camera with a 50mm FD lens and I want to purchase more lenses. I would like a telephoto lens and a Macro lens but I have no idea what to look for. Do they make new lenses that will fit my old manual or are there decent used ones I should look into? I think I would prefer NOT to buy a zoom lens. Also, If I buy a different lens, do I have to buy new filters to fit or are there adapteres. One more thing. My camera did not come with a hood but most everyone swears by them. What is your opinion and what exactly do they do? Thanks so much. This Q&A area has really answered a lot of my ques.
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Jeff S. Kennedy |
I think some of the third party manufacturers make man. focus lenses for Canon cameras still. There are plenty of excellent used FD lenses out there though. Specifically which lenses to get is a difficult question to answer. I don't know what kind of photography you intend to do. Any lens you buy may or may not have the same filter size as the lens you currently have. They do make adapters but if you are going to a longer focal length lens the threads are more likely to be larger than your 50mm in which case you will need new filters and an adapter to adapt down to your 50mm. You might look into a Cokin P-series filter system. It uses drop in filters so you don't have to worry about thread sizes. You just buy threaded adapters to attach the filter holder to on each lens. Hoods are great. They help prevent flare, which increases sharpness, contrast, and color. In addition to that they help protect your lens.
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John A. Lind |
Becky, For some basic information about your AE-1 and its "sister" models see the on-line Canon Museum here: Basic information about the "FD mount" and "New FD mount" lenses made for the "A series" cameras can similarly be found within this museum here: Canon made numerous "FD" telephoto lenses; it was an extensive camera system. I recommend a 100mm or 135mm for a "first" telephoto. These can be hand held relatively easily. A 200mm is more difficult to hold steady, but not impossible. 300mm and longer telephotos require a tripod. Canon's macro lenses are designated "FDM" lenses (M=Macro) or "Macro FD." In the New FD mount only: Magnification: For use on a "table-top studio" indoors, or for use on a "copy stand" typically used to copy documents, artwork, etc., I recommend the 50mm. For use in the field photographing insects, flora, etc., I recommend the 100mm as it allows more distance between lens and subject. You could use the 200mm, but I've found the two lengths I use most for field macros from my camera system (it's not Canon) are the 85mm and 135mm. I've used a 200mm for it, but not nearly as often. If you don't have a tripod, consider getting one. It's nearly essential for macros. While it's relatively easy to hold a 135mm at "normal" distances, doing so at macro magnifications isn't. I recommend looking at the less expensive Bogen models (Manfrotto outside the U.S.). They are semi-professional and professional grade tripods; very sturdy, very durable, and much, much better than the top line "department store" variety. They don't cost that much more either. The bad news about FD lenses: Canon doesn't make them any more. The good news about FD lenses: they are quite plentiful on the used market, and pricing is quite reasonable for ones in excellent condition. Assuming you're in the U.S., the one used camera/lens dealer I recommend without any reservation is KEH Camera Brokers in Atlanta, Georgia: I have bought used gear from others, but became very knowledgable about how to inspect used gear for its condition first! Cosmetics, while an indicator about likely condition, isn't everything. -- John
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doug Nelson |
We all like easy answers. There's one here. Get a 90 or 100-mm macro lens. Use it as a tele or as a macro. The optical quality will be excellent, no matter who makes it. Put a 1.4x or 2x extender on it if you want more tele. Put extension tubes on it if you want more macro. A Canon FD 100-mm macro goes for $300-400, even on ebay. If you get a Canon, try to get the Life Size Adapter with it. A used Vivitar, Tamron or Tokina 90-mm or 100 can be had very reasonably. Cosina makes a 100 macro that is said to be quite good. DON'T buy a "macro zoom", as they're not really macro. I'm not really speaking from experience. This what I SHOULD have done.
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doug Nelson |
Almost forgot... Get a lens shade for that 50. Go on ebay or to keh.com and get the BS-55. It's plastic, but durable. Mount it to the lens backwards for carrying, and the lens cap will go on, too. Some macros don't need shades, as the elements are deeply set into the barrel. You won't know until you get your macro.
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Becky |
Thank you John, Jeff, and Doug!! John, the web sites you recommended are great. thank you
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Becky |
I've been looking into the Cokin P-series filters. I just came upon them at a camera shop in town. Jeff Mentioned them in his response so I'm assuming they are a good investment. Do they come in different sizes? I want large but not huge ones. Thanks
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John A. Lind |
Cokin filters are "square" and come in three sizes: the smaller "A" series, middle size "P" series and large "X-PRO" series. To use them an adapter screws onto the lens and the filter holder mounts onto that. The filters slide into the filter holder, which can hold more than one. The "P" series will work with all but the largest and certain specialty Canon FD lenses. The upside about the Cokin system: The downside about the Cokin system: Cokin is a French company; their web site (in English) is here: -- John
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John A. Lind |
Oops . . . forgot something else. First, I agree completely about using a lens hood! IMHO the two best manufacturers of round, screw-on filters are B+W and Heliopan. Toss a coin for who is 1st and 2nd. Hoya runs a definite, but decent 3rd behind them. Tiffen is a big name but I don't believe they're as well made as B+W, Heliopan and Hoya. I would never consider using a "generic" no-name filter. B+W: Heliopan: Hoya: -- John
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