[zeebanker]

Recently acquired a dozen or so Canon FD lenses (primes, 300mm, 100-500mm; mostly manufactured in the 80s) from a retired professional photographer in a package deal with some Super Taks and Taks that I really wanted. Also a few Pentax K1000 bodies and other 35mm Pentax bodies.

Now I'm wondering what to do with these Canon lenses. Can I sell them? Give them away? Re-purpose them?

Appreciate all suggestions and thoughts.

---

Last edited by zeebanker; 09-04-2020 at 11:28 AM.

[UncleVanya]

Mirrorless shooters still use them, the faster sharper ones hold the most value. Check eBay and mirrorless forums for sale prices.

[LesDMess]

As with any other brands, there were also many coveted FD lenses like ultra wides and "L". And just like all the name brand prime lenses of the era, they can be exceptional performers if you can use them.

[UncleVanya]

I've sold in the past a 50mm f1.4 SSC, and 85 f1.8 SSC, and a 200mm f2.8... all sold quickly.

[Praktica*ist]

Hello.

There is certainly some market value, and not the least in Canon FD lenses.
Recent rise in mirrorless cameras has made them adaptable to many mounts.
Whereas they were not adaptable to digital reflexes before.


Moreover, guess which reflex is one of the top most demanded, on the film camera scene ?
A probably over-rated and over-priced camera, but still full of charm.
Yes, the Canon AE-1 and AE-1 program.


This means you will probably not have any difficulty selling glass for the FD mount system, at a good price.

[Jonathan Mac]

Plenty of market out there. Many people who use modern Canon gear go FD when they decide to have a play with film. Canon FD gear goes for at least as much as comparable Pentax lenses from what I can see.

[TomB_tx]

I still have a number of FL lenses (a generation before FD), as well as a few FD and R lenses (Canon R were the first generation Canon SLR lenses for the Canonflex of 1959.) and working film bodies for each generation. The F1 was the last Canon that appealed to me.
I use these sometime on an adapter to Sony A7, but more often use my Pentax-M lenses as they are a better size for the camera.
These early Canon lenses tend to get slow automatic diaphragms, giving over exposure on the Canon bodies (which is why I sold my Canon system in 1969), but this isn't an issue adapted to mirrorless. The FL especially are still flare-prone.

[.a.t.]

. . .
Now I'm wondering what to do with these Canon lenses. Can I sell them?
. . .

Since you're a Site Supporter, you have the ability to sell items here in the Pentax Forums Marketplace.
READ FIRST: How to list items - marketplace rules - condition key - feedback guide - PentaxForums.com

I know I'd be curious to see what you have available.

[zeebanker]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

@.a.t. I'll post a picture here in a bit.

[zeebanker]

Here's the list and some pics:
1. Super Cosina 100-500mm MC Macro (with box and leather? case)

Canon FDs:
2. 300mm f4
3. 200mm f2.8
4. 35mm f2 SSC
5. 20mm f2.8
6. 28mm f2
7. 50mm f1.8
8. 50mm f1.4
9. 85mm f1.8
10. 50mm f1.4 SSC (with box and case)
11. 24mm f2.8 SSC (with box and case)
12. Macro 50mm f3.5 with extension tube FD 25-U (with box and packaging)


Camera body: A-1 in box
Speedlight 199A

If anyone's interested in seeing more pics, please PM me. I just took these for an overall view.

[.a.t.]

Here's the list and some pics:
. . .

Looks like a capable collection!
Thanks for the info and photos.

[johnyates]

35mm f2 SSC

I've got one of these. There were 4 different varieties I believe. The one I have has a concave front element and thoriated glass. One day I intend to purchase a full frame mirrorless to be able to use it again.

[Kozlok]

On Evilbay, I checked a couple of these and they seem to sell.

[Astro-Baby]

There are broadly three groups of FD lenses....

1 Silver Nose....these have a chrome trim on the front of the lens and are usually considered the most valuable. First generation FDs and Canon was still going quality.

2 Breech mounted, these have a metal locking ring round the base and are second generation FDs, considered to be nice. Quality starting to slip at Canon as more plastic than metal in construction.

3 No lokcing ring at base entire lens locks in more like traditional bayonet. Unofficially known as nFD. Quality wot that, now all made of plastic. Fungus issues signal write off as lenses were glued together, plastic reigns supreme.

The nFDs had the better coatings but are usually a horror if anything goes wrong, helicoil lube can dry out and lens goes loose and they are usually impossible to dismantle.
Theres no shortage of buyers and most opt for the NFDs as they ahd better coatings and optics. It would be worth reading up but thats some serious glass there.

If all those lenses are in good shape thats a serious chunk of change there. I would expect the 50mm lenses to go easy on eBay. The 1.4 should fly.

The rest should all sell easy enough.

I coughed up about £120 for a silver nose 50mm f1.8 in mint and have sold a few nFDs in shabby state that all sold for £35 a go and they were dogs.

[LesDMess]

Here's the list and some pics:
1. Super Cosina 100-500mm MC Macro (with box and leather? case)

Canon FDs:
2. 300mm f4
3. 200mm f2.8
4. 35mm f2 SSC
5. 20mm f2.8
6. 28mm f2
7. 50mm f1.8
8. 50mm f1.4

9. 85mm f1.8
10. 50mm f1.4 SSC (with box and case)

11. 24mm f2.8 SSC (with box and case)

12. Macro 50mm f3.5 with extension tube FD 25-U (with box and packaging)


Camera body: A-1 in box
Speedlight 199A

If anyone's interested in seeing more pics, please PM me. I just took these for an overall view.

That's an excellent lens lineup! Definitely compelling argument for a Canon setup!