View Full Version : Canon FD Lenses on Canon XL2


Prashanna Jayaseelan
December 12th, 2007, 12:30 PM
Hey guys
Can Canon FD lenses be mounted on Canon XL2?
If so, do they need adapters like redrock and letus or do they need other adapters.

Some of the adapters I would like to mount:
35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 100mm f2.8 and a 500mm f8

Im trying to achieve pictures like this one, shot by Jason from Jason Magbanua Videography http://www.myweddingvid.com/videos/dearly_rommel.wmv

Tony Davies-Patrick
December 12th, 2007, 05:13 PM
Yes, you can bayonet any Canon FD lens onto the XL2 via an FD-XL adapter. This will provide approx X7 or X8 magnification of the main lens in use, so a 100mm will be approx 700mm or 800mm lens. The same with Nikon Nikkor to XL adapter (I use a Nikkor).

To maintain the same as the master lens, for example maintain a 50mm lens at 50mm, then you'll need to use the Letus, Redrock, P+S Technique etc.

Dale Guthormsen
December 13th, 2007, 05:39 PM
Tony,

where does one pick up a GOOD adapter? I bought a nylon one and it works but is not of good enough quality as far as I am concerned. i have numerous fd lenses I could use.

Bill Ravens
December 13th, 2007, 07:43 PM
I have an old adapter that goes from Canon FD to Canon EOS. Sometimes one shows up on Ebay. Together with an EOS to XL adapter, it works pretty well. I love my 200mm Canon HD with this combo.

Tony Davies-Patrick
December 15th, 2007, 05:38 AM
Tony,

where does one pick up a GOOD adapter? I bought a nylon one and it works but is not of good enough quality as far as I am concerned. i have numerous fd lenses I could use.


The Nikon to Canon XL can be bought here:


http://www.videogear.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=88

But I prefer to buy my own adapters direct from Les Bosher:

http://www.lesbosher.co.uk/

Les is a skilled engineer and has been maufacturing for film and television movie business for two decades. Although he doesn't advertise the old Canon FD to Canon XL mount, if you ask him I'm sure that he'll make you one...and it will be made of solid metal like my Nikkor one.

Peter Wittinghoff
December 15th, 2007, 06:43 AM
Hey guys
Can Canon FD lenses be mounted on Canon XL2?
If so, do they need adapters like redrock and letus or do they need other adapters.

Some of the adapters I would like to mount:
35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 100mm f2.8 and a 500mm f8

Im trying to achieve pictures like this one, shot by Jason from Jason Magbanua Videography http://www.myweddingvid.com/videos/dearly_rommel.wmv

The first question is already answered above so I will not comment on it. The second, how to achieve the look from the beautiful example you linked to, is partly a question of lenses. As you can see from the example there are three things that makes it as good as it is; DOF (depth of field), color design/light and multiple angels. DOF is achieved with a dof-adapter such as Letus och Redrock. Lightning is a complex craft and I suggest you read "Matters of Light and Depth" and frequently visit "Photon Management" here on DVi. Color correction is done with the camera and in your editing software and all those angles the film is shot in are done by a multi camera set up.

Btw: Thanx Tony for your links.

Prashanna Jayaseelan
December 17th, 2007, 10:47 AM
Thank you all for your suggestions and help - you guys answered my questions. Do you think this mount would be suitable:http://cgi.ebay.com/Lens-Adapter-New-For-Canon-EOS-Camera-Body-to-Canon-FD_W0QQitemZ360006018990QQihZ023QQcategoryZ79000QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or is this not good enough for what I am trying to achieve as in the sample that I provided.

Thank you

Bill Ravens
December 17th, 2007, 11:01 AM
looks just like the mount I have

Prashanna Jayaseelan
December 17th, 2007, 12:03 PM
Hey Bill
Have you tried this mount with FD lenses? if so which FD lenses have you tried and how are the results?

Thanks again

Tony Davies-Patrick
December 17th, 2007, 01:23 PM
Thank you all for your suggestions and help - you guys answered my questions. Do you think this mount would be suitable:http://cgi.ebay.com/Lens-Adapter-New-For-Canon-EOS-Camera-Body-to-Canon-FD_W0QQitemZ360006018990QQihZ023QQcategoryZ79000QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or is this not good enough for what I am trying to achieve as in the sample that I provided.

Thank you

No, that is not what you need. That particular adapter only allows a manual FD lens bayonet to a modern EOS camera body. It will not help with the XL1/1s/2/H1...for that you need a separate FD-to-XL adapter (as I mentioned earlier).

Bill Ravens
December 17th, 2007, 01:53 PM
Tony is right. I use an XL2 to EOS lens adapter in addition to this adapter you're showing.

Regardless, to answer your question, the Canon 200mm FD lens provides a very nice long distance telephoto for me when used in this combination.