Canon FD Group

Marco S -Dials, You have no idea how hi-tech the A1 was considered when it came out in 1978, I can remember one of my photographic pals saying "That's not a camera, It's got so many electronics in it It's more akin to a transistor radio ! ". P.S I have a 85mm f1.8 and I would thoroughly recommend it it's the perfect focal length for head and shoulder portraits and gives the human face a very natural looking perspective.

Thank you Benjiboy - An 85 1.8 FD would, I think, make a nice, compact kit, esp. for portraits, time to hunt one down. Loving the feel and weight of the A1, awesome. Can't believe how nice it is! I never knew cameras had dials! - Marco

Welcome Marco S, I have owned my A1 about twenty years, I have both lensed, in fact I have two 1.8 ones, in my opinion the the 1.8 FD lens is a good six element Sonnar type design that is fast enough for most situations , and is a good performer, and if you can see any differences in the f1.4 version they are minimal, I would advise you to use what you have, and put the money towards an FD lens of a different focal length or on some film. I hope you enjoy your A1 as much as I have mine.

Hi everyone, I just picked up a A1 with a 50mm 1.8 FD lens. I just want it to be a ultra-simple portable setup, loaded with 400 speed B&W for quick, always ready shooting. Question: do you think the 50 1.8 standard lens will be adequate for most situations, or should I consider the 50mm 1.4; any major differences in image quality? Love the camera BTW, mint condition.

Tony Lockerbie - I have the FD radioactive 35mm f2 lens too I hope you are wearing your lead lined underpants, radioactive Thorium has a half life of 70,000 years, and if that doesn't kill you the weight of the lens will.

Only that with some adaptors, some M42 lenses won't focus on infinity.

I have an opportunity to purchase some M42 lenes with the adaptor to fit on my FD body (Canon A1 & AE-1 P). Has anyone have any tips or warnings about this system ?? I have Googled this and gotten TONS of info but very few PROS and CONS about it. Any thoughts?

Welcome Sanjay .

Hi all, it's nice to see this group!

I am a new user of the FD system - I acquired a Canon F-1n and a 600mm 1:4.5 FD lens about a couple of months back. I am still getting used to the gear, and it's a lot of fun!

Welcome Tony, I'm also a recent T90 user and understand they need to be used regularly to keep working and the reason that people have some shutter problems with them is that the shutter magnets get magnetized through lack of use, so I try to shoot a film a week with mine, I'm very impressed with the camera and metering system its like an EOS that takes all my FD lenses I have an FTbn too I bought about thirty years ago I just had C.L.A done on it and my F1N AE too, and they are like new now, and I hope to enjoy using them for many years to come.