Tech Blog: Adorama FD/EF Adapter - The Verdict is In!

I have been waiting intently on a package waiting for me in Jerusalem with the following items:

1. Adorama EF/FD adapter for my 35 lenses to fit on the Canon 7D
2. XLR cord to 3.5mm jack so I may try to plug sound directly into the 7D
3. 2 more 16gb Dane Elec CF Cards (1.5 more hours a day of card space!)

The CF cards are self explanatory.

The XLR adapter is a bit disappointing because for some reason, the Auto Gain messes with the microphone and I get unusable sound on my clips. Further research will be needed but until then, the Zoom H4n plugged in works phenomenal for our run and gun style.

Now on to the adapter....

First off, I didn't intend to buy the Adorama version however the Ebay seller sold me this one since it had an EMF chip installed in it. I'm not sure if the Adorama one has one or he just added it. Either way, the chip allows for the circuits within the camera to work so that the reflective spot meter works, just not obviously the iris nob since it's all manual 35mm lenses.

Second, there are limitations I had read about and was fully aware of before purchasing the adapter. Since the focal flange distance is physically different FD to EF, there are some things that don't directly adapt without a piece of 1.2 crop glass in between the lens and the adapter. Thus causing a bit of cropping (although with the 7d it's not so bad I believe with the smaller sensor vs the 5d) and also because of the quality of the adapter glass(the adapter total was $40), you get some weird pro-mist filter like effects on your highlights while fairly wide open. (Note: without glass in the adapter, you will not be able to focus to infinite.) My 50mm f1.4 shows it alot. Although lenses during the day like my 35-110 f3.5 works fairly well. Although, certain breech lock lens mounts don't stop down all the way which is also frustrating. Have a good set of ND on you at all times if this becomes a problem.

Overall even with the limitations of the adapter, it allows me to use my FD glass on my EF mount 7D for relatively cheap. I brought my 35 AE-1 Program with me anyways and it does come in handy. Once you get over the finicky Open/Lock mount trick so the iris ring works, it works like a charm. It's not a perfect solution but if you're on a low budget and have glass laying around you want to work, it can do the trick. Use only for daylight situations or if you want that blooming effect on the white highlights. Good purchase but with it's limitations. If you don't want to deal with the hassles, then buy L series lenses from Canon. If you do that, you're probably not even thinking about saving money on lens adapters.

Further testing will be done but initial experience is a positive one.