Which Canon camera bodies will my FL lens fit? The FT body I have is shot and was wondering if I could use them on another body or is there an adapter I could use?

-- Dale Hummel (hummler@ptd.net), November 04, 2001

Answers

Your FL lenses will fit any Canon body that has an FL or FD mount on it. I believe that includes all the Canon SLR's except for the autofocus versions (EOS). The FT, FTb, F1, EF, T50, T70, T80, T90 and several others will work just fine with FL lenses. The Canon T series (and probably the "new" F1) were the last ones made.

The FD mount was an improvement over the older FL mount. I think the major feature it offered was open aperture metering.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), November 04, 2001.

In addition to the open aperture metring capability that was mentioned in an earlier post, the aperture (f-stops) can be automatically set and controlled by the camera with the FD lenses. It is correct that you can use a newer Canon manual focus camera with your FL lenses. The A-series (A-1, AE-1, AE-1 Program, AV-1, AT-1, AL- 1) and the T-series (T-50, T-70, T-80, T-90) Canon manual focus cameras can be used with the FL or the FD lenses. The T-80 uses the AC autofocus lenses as well the FD and FL lenses (only 3 AC lenses were made). The T-80 was Canon's first attempt at autofocus, and not many were made. The A-1 is top of the line in the A-series. A wonderful camera with six exposure methods, from fully automatic (except focusing) to fully manual stop-down photography). The T-90 is the top of the line in the T-series, and it is arguably considered the best and most powerful manual focus camera that Canon ever made. Some regard it as the best and most powerful manual focus camera period. It's a matter of opinion. I happen to have 2 T-90's, 2 A-1's, and a dozen other Canons. I simply LOVE the T-90. Be cautioned that it is much heavior than the A-1. Canon produced the T-90 for one year only (1986), then they switched to the autofocus system. You can find a used T-90 on the market, in good condition, if you are patient, but they are hard to come by, and pricy (over $300 US for a used one; I have seen them recently sold as high as $900 US in near new condition. I guess some folks want it bad enough to pay any price for it). An A-1 is much easier to find, and it is much lighter, both in weight, and on the budget. You can find a used one in good shape for about $150-$200 US (more or less, depending on condition). I have used the A-1 since 1980. It's a great camera as well, but nothing like the T-90. The T-90 is motorized (film advance, rewind, etc.). The A-1 is not. The T-90 has a very powerful optional commad back, and also an optional data back. It's capable of shooting at the rate of 4.5 frames per second, if needed! The Japanees journalists, in the 80s, affectionately dubbed it the name "The Tank" because of its power, versatility, and durabilty. I hope that this helps you to start looking at the camera that suits your needs. Also, visit Canon's web site, and go to the "Museum" section.

Best of luck. Sam H. Michigan, USA ===================================

-- Sam H (sh10453@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002.