I have a new Canon EOS Rebel 2000 with a Sigma 28-200. I am also new to the exciting hobby of photography. I would really like a wide angle lens, but most of them are out of my price range. I noticed that Canon makes a manual 18-35 in a "FD" mount. I also noticed in a an ad that there is a converter for EOS to FD. Can I use this older lens on my body? I realize that I would lose all AF functions, but that it fine. I assume that with a lens like this, there would not be much range in the depth of field anyway. Can someone clear this up for me. Thanks Kevin

-- Kevin W. Doll (kdoll1@hallmak.com), November 06, 1999

Answers

Not recommended. The FD-EOS covverters don't work very well, especially on wide angle lenses. In fact they are low power teleconverters which will increase the focal length of the lens and lower optical quality. You can get an FD-EOS converter which has no optics, but you then lose infinity focus.

In the end it's just not worth the trouble.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), November 06, 1999.

A better option would be to use an adapter with older screw mount lenses. The kind for old Pentax cameras. Or T mount lenses, or even Tamron Adaptal lenses. Although the Adaptall adapter is no longer available, but is for sale on Ebay from time to time. All these adapters use no optics and still focus to infinity. It's too bad Canon decided to disable the AF confirmation indicators when using these options though.

Of course an even better option for a good price would be to buy a new Vivitar/Phoenix/Cosina 19-35 f:3.5-4.5. They can be had for around $180, and not much less used.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), November 07, 1999.

Actually, the Vivitar you mention, the 19-35 f/3.5-4.5, is actually made by Tokina.

-- Harvey Yau (hayau@ic.sunysb.edu), November 08, 1999.

It's worth to have one if you own some of Canon's exotic L series lenses but if you don't, forget it.

-- Alvin S. Granada (granada666@yahoo.com), November 13, 1999.