Canon EOS--Using Manual Lenses on Film/Digital SLRs

A common question is whether older manual focus lenses from other manufacturers can be used with a Canon EOS body. The answer is a qualified "yes" in many cases. Of course you don't get auto-focus, nor do you get any sort of focus confirmation. Also, you don't get any sort of automatic iris operation. In most SLRs, focusing is done at full aperture, and if you stop the lens down to, say, f11, it remains fully open until just before exposure, then it stops down for the exposure and opens up again. This gives a brighter viewfinder image and makes focusing easier and more accurate. When these lenses are mounted on an EOS body, stop-down metering must be used. That means that the lens is first focused at full aperture (for maximum accuracy), then manually stopped down to the shooting aperture before the shot is taken.

Once you have done this a few times, you get the hang of it--many generations of photographers learned to do just this. Yes, it is a couple of extra steps, but you really begin to understand the relationship of aperture & shutter speed as you pause and think about what you are trying to capture. With the light meter results in the viewfinder, you don't even need to take your eye away as you select different aperture & shutter speed combinations. Hint: on DLSRs it is too easy to blow out the highlights--try shooting one to two stops below centered. You can always easily lighten your digital image. You cannot restore detail to blown out areas.

Manual Focus on EOS

Update: FD to EOS adapter: I have been experimenting with a $35 adapter to use FD lenses on EOS bodies (film or digital). While some reviewers say there is "some" loss of IQ--I am finding I am getting a lot of decent shots (DOF was small in the weak light of our recent cloudy days!). Given the low prices of FD lenses, I think you should see for yourself.

Canon DSLR + Canon 70-210mm f4 FD TEST w/ EOS adapter

EBay Store-source of adapters

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