FD lenses with a modern DSLR

[adam_christie]

I've got a couple of FD lenses that my mum gave me along with her old Canon AV-1 SLR. One is a Canon 50mm F1.8, and the other is a Sun 35-200mm Telephoto Lens. I'm thinking in investing in an FD to EF adapter (about £30) so I can use these lenses and not have to buy any new ones just yet. The 35-200 lens needs a full strip-down and clean as I think there's mould on the glass - it's really dark to look through! Is it possible to do this myself? Or do I need to send it off to get it cleaned? If I need to send it away, any ideas as to how much this would cost?

Basically - is it worth getting the adapter to use my old FD lenses, and is it worth getting the telephoto lens serviced?

Cheers!

[amk1977]

Hi Adam,

To be honest, no. You can pick up a brand new Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MKII for about £80 brand new and cheaper 2nd hand on eBay. I'd personally prefer to spend another £30-£50 and get an EF lens that is renowned for its image quality. If the FD lens is in good condition, you could always sell it along with the AV-1 and put the money towards the EF version. Alternatively keep it and practise some good ol' fashioned film photography.

As for the Sun lens, its a cheap 3rd party lens, that in all likelihood, gives average quality results. Stripping a lens down is no easy task and unless you have the right tools for the job, coupled with the know how, you'll end up scratching the elements, damaging the coatings, putting them back in the wrong way round, etc. If the lens has a helical thread, its very easy to reattach the barrel in an incorrect position. The cost of having the lens stripped down and serviced would probably cost close to 5 times what the lens is worth.

Save your money and put it towards some better gear

[adam_christie]

Ah well - at least the AV-1 is there in case I fancy taking some film photos! I couldn't sell it - a) my mum gave it to me and she bought it new back in 1979 and b) I would hardly get anything for it!

50mm EF lens it is then!