Need help with manual lens on GH1/550d

[Jamal Jonesy]

I have a couple of questions regarding manual telephoto and zoom lenses. I want to purchase several good Canon FL/FD telephoto and zoom lenses for my GH1 and my (soon to arrive) t2i/550d. I was wondering, how do I zoom with these lenses? Is it a manual function on the lens like setting aperture and manual focusing, or do I just zoom from the camera body itself? I saw some really good 2.8 aperture constant zooms and telephotos on ebay, but they look long and heavy for the camera body. Do I have to mount them on a rails system like the Indifocus DSLR MP? Suggestions on how to use these things would be appreciated.

[Janke]

I've never heard of a SLR zoom that you "zoom from the camera body"... they all have either a ring or a push-pull zoom.

[Jamal Jonesy]

Yes, that's what I meant. It's on the body, isn't it? Anyway, does someone have an answer to my question?

[Janke]

It's on the body, isn't it?

No, the zoom is NOT on the body.

[Jamal Jonesy]

Sorry, I literally just took the camera out of the box. I'm a ultra noob when it come to DSLRs. So....zoom function is not on the body. Ok, I got that now, but what about my previous questions?

[Janke]

Suggestion: Read the camera manual, experiment with the camera before you do anything else, or buy new lenses. You did buy the "kit" with the "almost free" 18-55 lens, right?

[Bif]

The older Canon lenses are not a good idea for use on an EOS camera. With the adapters that have no optics in them there are focusing issues. Those that have optical elements have sharpness issues.

Best bet, of course are EF or EF-S lenses for the EOS mount. All lens functions designed for the EOS camera system; auto focus, full communication with the T2i and it's features.

If you are looking for lenses that can be used on both the GH1 and T2i look at inexpensive older Nikon lenses, adapters are inexpensive. But my recommendation is for a few Canon EOS lenses so you can fully utilize the features of the T2i.

Zoom function on the Canon EOS system is a manually operated ring on the lens. The "kit" 18-55mm EF-S lens is a very good basic lens but with the Canon system you do not have "continuous" autofocus like the GH1 does. Most of us probably use manual focus anyway as autofocus cannot always be fully trusted.

[redfalcon]

I have a very nice FD lens collection from when I was using a 35mm adapter with my HV's. (The old days) :)

I have an adapter, and as long as I stop down to 5.6 or smaller, the image quality seems great to me. I've taken a ton of stills with them, but not video yet. You definitely can't shoot with them wide open.

I love FD lenses. They have their own quality to them, an almost "classic" lens look if you will.

I want to use them more for my filmmaking with controlled lighting situations, where you would want your lens at 5.6 to 8 anyway. Hoping for the best.