I was recently given a 1970s Canon FTb camera with a 50mm lens. I am interested in getting a zoom lens around the 30-100mm range. Unfortunately I was informed that Canon no longer builds the FD type of lens. Does anyone know of another lens manufacturer that still produces lenses for the FTb? Thank you.

-- (ct20zx2@altavista.net), January 09, 2000

Answers

Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and Vivitar still make various range of prime and zoom lenses for FD mount. Their quality is, as far as I know, worse than original Canon even though they are cheaper than second Canon ones. For example, 28-70mm lens is sold for $129 (and this is a fast lens of f2.8-4 or something) But hoow much worse is it? Actually I'd like to know that. Is there any one who can tell how worse it is?

-- Pil Joo (gjoo@po-box.mcgill.ca), January 09, 2000.

Try eBay or any camera store that sells used. The best lens in that range is the Canon 35-105 f3.5 lens. This is a constant aperture, two touch lens that takes 72mm filters. It sells for about $300 in excellent shape used.

They also make a 35-105 f3.5-4.5 that is a good bit smaller and lighter, but not a good a performer. They run about $150 used.

The biggest problem with your FTb is getting the proper battery for it. The mercury cell it was designed for is not being made any longer, however it is still available in some countries. The alkaline replacement does not work properly due to voltage variations. The Wein cell does work, but the life is fairly short for the cost.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), January 10, 2000.

Aside from a still-fairly plentiful supply of good used Canon FD lenses, there are lots of good used aftermarket lenses available at even better prices.

You may have heard of Vivitar's excellent Series 1 lenses, produced from the late '70s-early '90s? (They're still made but not to the same quality.) A little known bit of trivia is that Kiron made many of these lenses for Vivitar. When Vivitar and Kiron reportedly got into a contract dispute Kiron decided to market its own lenses under its own name.

But it didn't last long and Kiron dropped back into anonymity. As a little-known maker their lenses often sell for a fraction of the cost of Vivitar's Series 1 lenses.

-- Lex Jenkins (lexjenkins@hotmail.com), June 10, 2000.