krashdragon

I see lots of posts about using old lens on digital cameras.
My question... Can I use my Eos lens... 24- 100 ( whatever) on an AE1?
Bought the AE1 cheap, works fine, came with an off brand cheapie telephoto.
Yes, I know I can buy old lens cheap, was just wondering if I can use what I already have for my 6D.
Using manual is no prob, just wondering if there's a way to actually do it.

BebuLamar

you will have problem controlling the aperture because the EF lenses are controlled electronically.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You could have bought an EOS Rebel G for $20ish, probably cheaper than the AE1, and you can use all your EF lenses with autofocus and IS enabled. You still might do that.

The EF mount sits 2mm further from the sensor / film than the FD mount (EF - 44mm / FD - 42mm). An adapter with no glass would be similar to an extension tube where your minimum focus distance is slightly reduced, but you can no longer focus to infinity. Also, the EF lenses do not have an aperture control ring so everything will be wide open, not the best aperture setting for the 24-105.

krashdragon

Ok. I wont bother. Bought the AE1 several years ago.
I do have a couple lens fron my older Canon, I think those might work.
Thanks.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

It will be easier to find and use FD/FL lenses on your AE-1. If you want to shoot film with EF lenses, an EOS-1N or V is a great choice as are several other EOS film bodies. I bought a mint EOS-1N for $100, and all my EF lenses work perfectly with it with all features (AF and aperture control) enabled.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Good decision. Any lens with electronic connections won't work on a camera expecting mechanical connections. It's pretty convoluted to get R/FL/FD/FDn lenses to work on EOS cameras, flange distance amongst other things, but the other way is almost unfeasible. I have adapted/modified several FL/FD/FDn lenses to EOS, but I can't even imagine how to begin thinking the other way round. If you want to use the AE-1 then look for affordable FD/FDn glass on ebay etc. There are still quite a few out there at good prices if you are patient. I still have an AE-1 and a T90 in good working order.

BebuLamar

I have a few of the FD lenses I don't use.
3 50mm f/1.8. a 134mm f/2.8, a 200mm f/2.8 and a third party 80-200mm f/4.5.

krashdragon

My very 2nd camera...Had to look it up....
I have an Canon FT QL with a 50mm 1.4 lens, and a secondary market 35mm and 135 tele lens that I purchased when they were new.
First camera was an Argus 75.
Xmas present when I was about 8 or 9.
Damn.... I'm old!
I'm guessing those wont work with the AE1 either, so I might start looking at F1 lenses. Or just use the lens that came with it.
Some how, those old cameras just seemed easier to use than the new digitals with way more choices, and too many menus and buttons.
Not saying my photos were any better, just not as many things to remember.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

According to wiki, an FL lens will work on an FD camera.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_FL_lens_mount

Robyn H Loc: MainLine PA

There is no such thing as EOS lenses. There are EF lenses and their various sub models, EF-S, EF-M. No, they are not designed to work on an older FD or FL mount camera. EF lenses are all electronic.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Your FT QL lenses should be just fine with the AE-1. You may not get open aperture metering, but they should work.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Nope.
I don't even think that there is an adapter.
If you even could it would be just a piece of glass with no control of aperture and in some cases focus.
Canon 30 years ago decided brilliantly to develop a 21st century system. Not compatible with the old.
There are hundreds of very cheap FD lenses available because of this decision. Just go on Ebay an get an FD lens for your AE1.
BTW do it before prices rise as people realize that those lenses will now work on the new R mount cameras with an adapter without an optical element.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I found, starting a few years ago, the adapters to IBIS-enabled, EVF-enabled, Sony bodies started to drive up the price / value of these old FD lenses. I've sold off my FD bodies for film purposes and kept the FD lenses for a Sony body. For film, an EOS film body using my EF lenses has become my preference.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I agree with you.
But there are still great bargains out there on Ebay.
A pristine 800mm L FD was recently found for about $1,200.00. Think about that on a new R camera. Premium lens at that price which the same thing in EF is 10x that amount.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Over the weekend I was editing work from an FD 300 f/4L purchased used for $300. Here's an example from a monopod, Sony a7II and metabones adapter. The challenge is first getting the exposure parameters and then the focus, everything done manually where a moving subject tends to have moved away .... 300mm is the longest focal length I have for a manual focus FD lens. Working from a tripod has been more successful with this lens / focal length.

Gold-breasted Starling by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Coming back to the OP's thread without trying to hijack, I've found that higher quality film has a major impact on the results, such as when I pulled out a circa 1984 Canon T50 and the original FDn 50 f/1.8 kit lens and loaded Kodak Ektar 100. For the most part, only the "professional" films are left now in 2018. The success with the T50 started an investigation that lead to an AE-1 and then a F1New and then a T90 and then a few of the FD L lenses, where demonstrations of the lens characteristics from Sony bodies helped significantly. But, after a few years I was developing two separate and unrelated kits where bringing both on photography travel was becoming impractical. So then I tried an EOS Rebel G. The results were fine, but only 3 AF points was too limiting. Then I found what had been a $2000 EOS 1V for $550 on ebay and I could drop all the FD bodies and instead travel with a film body, a digital body and EF lenses I can share with both cameras. Adding a Sony body breathed new life into the remaining FD lenses, that otherwise, were due for sale.