Wheelu
journeyman
Reged: 31/10/2007
Posts: 96
Loc: UK, up North
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Not sure if this is the best place to post, but I have just bought a Tamron 24mm f2,5 lens from Ebay, to be used on my Pentax film cameras - I have suitable mounts.
The lens came with a Canon FD adaptall mount in lovely condition. My first thought was, "sell the mount", but that was rapidly replaced by "buy an FD compatible camera"!
Is there any advice out there on these ancient pieces of equipment? Which are to be avoided and which are drooled over perhaps? I would like sturdy construction and reliability, and can live without auto focus.
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My Web Site
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Malcolm_Stewart
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2385
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
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I think the FD lens compatible range started with the FTb in about 1970. This suffers from needing a mercury cell which are difficult to find, but information here should help.
The more modern T90 and one of the last FD bodies has most of the modern features, and then some, but no autofocus. However, it's reputed to suffer from shutter failure so beware, as spares are now difficult to source.
In between there's quite a range of models from manual control (AT) through to fully programmed (A1), and then there's the tough F1 and F1n.
Circularly polarised filters should be used as the exposure metering can be sensitive to linearly polarised light.
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Malcolm Stewart
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OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 2454
Loc: Devon
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I've used AE-1s, T-90s and New F-1s and over the years dozens of FD lenses. I still have the F-1s and a few lenses but they haven't been use for a while. I'd recommend the New F-1, it's a lovely camera to use, built like a tank and available on eBay for next to nothing.
There have been several cameras named the F-1. The original is from the '70s and was replaced by an updated model, the F-1n. The New F-1 was introduded in the mid '80s I think. With standard prism it is a fully manual camera, with AE prism it Aperture Priority becomes available and with the Winder FN or Motordrive FN Shutter Priority becomes available.
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Richard .......... My Website - My Blog - My Flickr
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Wheelu
journeyman
Reged: 31/10/2007
Posts: 96
Loc: UK, up North
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Thanks Malcolm and Richard. It seems then that the earliest cameras are to be avoided and the later F1 is the preferred option.
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My Web Site
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Malcolm_Stewart
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2385
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
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I've just remembered that there is a fairly rare FD35 f2 original breechlock fitting with a concave front element, and which used slightly radioactive thorium glass. By now this will have decayed a bit, and the glass will have a yellowish tint. Probably OK for B&W but perhaps not what you want for colour slides.
Here's a reference to it. I remember buying one very many years ago for £99.
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Malcolm Stewart
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4464
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
which used slightly radioactive thorium glass. By now this will have decayed a bit, and the glass will have a yellowish tint.
I doubt you'll notice any colour change caused by decay of the thorium salt - the half life of the naturally occurring isotope, Thorium-232, is 14.05 billion years!
The glass may well have a slight yellow tint - surely this is a built-in "minus violet" filter and would have been regarded as desirable in the days when monochrome ruled.
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velocette
enthusiast
Reged: 10/08/2006
Posts: 247
Loc: North Surrey
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I've still got an A1, T50 & FTBn and have to say that although I'm only digital now with the enlarger and all the Jobo bits locked safely away the FTB is my all time favorite camera. Built like a tank with a real camera noise when you prod the button.
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nspur
enthusiast
Reged: 20/07/2005
Posts: 287
Loc: Derbyshire
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I have the A1, AE-1 and AT-1 and use the A1 quite often. It's built like a tank, takes a standard 6v battery and works well. I have a few lenses for it including the 35-105 which is excellent.
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