Canon FD and FL Lenses on the Z6

[Bill De Jager]

I'm starting out with photos taken with a Canon FD 50mm f/1.2 L.  This is in the "new FD" mount, introduced in 1978, which means it's not breech lock. 

FD 50 1,2 L on Z6 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

I found the lens very usable and user-friendly on the Z6.  It's been a pleasure using small lenses again recently, such as this one.  Focusing was very easy using focus peaking.  Photos are hand-held.  Shutter speeds and ISOs were elevated due to low light and windy conditions.

This photo was taken at f/1.2, 1/3200 sec., ISO 1600. The sharpest part is still a bit soft, but I'm posting it because of the character of the out-of-focus regions.

_DSC1212 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

[Hugh_3170]

Bill, I am assuming, as with the Canon SLR bodies of old, that the adapter can handle both the old breech lock mounts as well as the new bayonet mounts from post 1978 lenses? 

That is is you don't need a separate adapter for each Canon lens mount type.  TIA.

[Bill De Jager]

Hugh, the Vello adapter can handle both breech-lock and non-breech-lock FD lenses.  The adapter has its own locking ring which must be turned in addition to the breech-lock ring on the lens, if present.

Here's the next photo, again the 50mm f/1.2 L at f/1.2:

_DSC1210 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

[Bill De Jager]

I went out again with the Z6, this time with a different FD lens, and I noted that the Vello adapter isn't quite solidly grabbing the camera's lens mount.  There's a small motion that only happens once in a while.  The Novoflex adapter is now in my B&H shopping cart despite its expense.

This is the last one for now with the 50mm f/1.2 L:

_DSC1217 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

More coming soon, next from the 85mm f/1.2 L!

[Bill De Jager]

Moving on to the Canon FD 85mm f/1.2 L on the Z6:


Found by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

Compare to the 50mm:


Wooden Bench End FD85 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr


Aluminium Bench End FD85 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr


Grass #1 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

[Bill De Jager]

More from the Canon FD 85mm f/1.2 L:


Checked Wood by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

50% pixels, cropped:


Bolt Head by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

A little more abstract:


Focal Zone by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

Back to reality:


Liquidamber by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

[Bill De Jager]

These are the final set from the 85/1.2 for now, all illustrating behavior of this lens at relatively close distances.  I'm expecting to get some different and more varied subject matter in the near future.


Seed Capsules by Bill de Jager, on Flickr


Grass #2 by Bill de Jager, on Flickr


Manhole by Bill de Jager, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

Wonderful samples from this lens / camera!

[Bill De Jager]

Thank you, Eric. It's really been a pleasure using these old lenses on the Z6.  In all fairness getting the focus (+/-) exactly where I wanted it generally took multiple shots.  But still, I've been very happy with using the Z6's focus peaking on manual focus lenses.

One thing I want to do sometime is to take both the Z6 and the Df out on a shoot and try the same shots with the same lenses, to get a direct comparison of ease of use and accuracy of manual focus.

[Erik Lund]

Very good AB testing ;)So far I see people really enjoying the new Z6, very impressive images from these old gems

[John Geerts]

Indeed, very nice examples with this lens, Bill.  Thanks for posting.

[Bill De Jager]

Thank, Erik and John.

Very good AB testing

Another mental glitch from me!  I do know better.  Of course, I could always put these two lenses on the same relative extension on both cameras.  But what I really want to do is try out F-mount lenses on both cameras for the same photos, for a real A/B test of the:

-Lens-Df interface vs. the lens-FTZ interface
-Relative manual focusing ease and accuracy
-Any other usability issues