Do you think im crazy? Sorry, beginner bought some FD lenses for a good bit of money

[wrkhard4smallrewards]

Hey, well...I am probably crazy. I just made this purchase

shopgoodwill.com - #9148456 - Canon AE-1 Camera w/28mm, 50mm, 135mm Lenses - 1/3/2012 8:30:00 PM

for 3 lenses, all Canon FD, a 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4 with some kind of unidentified UV filter, and 135mm f2.8 with a cheap looking bag to accompany my Sony NEX 3...

and on one hand I am totally stoked, so I just really want to share it. I have been wanting a faster lens and scoured all the thrift stores in three cities. Searched craigslist and posted want ads...but have only seen one crummy interchangeable lens...something like my kit lens. And not a single Canon outside of charlotte craigslist, but they were not responding to my emails.

I wanted something fast and have been following this goodwill offering. I was kind of sucked in by the fact that he had all 3 traditional sizes, and had the UV mounted on the 50mm, making me think he might have been taking care of them.

Not in a great financial situation, though I can swing the payment it would probably have been better used in savings. Also, no returns, so lets pray everything works and there is no fungus! I guess if there is obvious fungus and scratching I can always deny the payment based on false advertising and information, but if minor and affecting picture quality, too bad for me!

Tomorrow I get to start the hunt for a good adapter.

I guess it breaks down, after including SH to $60 for the 50, $60 for the 135, and $21 for the 28. You think it was a dumb call? WAY overpayment? I do, but I also dont. who knows...(my first ever e bay style bidding too)

 

[wrkhard4smallrewards]

Just for your info, I voted yes, slight overpayment.

 

[enzodm]

If lenses are ok, price is not so bad. Looking at completed auctions on Ebay, the 50/1.4 can be resold for 50-100$, while the 135 is about 20-40, 28 is about 30-50.

In the poll you are missing the real reason why you may be crazy: which camera do you have? If you have a mirrorless, you are not crazy. If you have any dSLR, you are crazy because there is no dSLR that can use them without an optical adapter. Optical adapter means a lens in the middle, a slight change in focal length, and quality degradation unless you find the really expensive original Canon.

 

[unpopular]

OP uses an NEX 3. They'll work just fine. I may have a 35/2 concaved I'm willing to sell if you're interested.

 

[enzodm]

OP uses an NEX 3. They'll work just fine. I may have a 35/2 concaved I'm willing to sell if you're interested.

Ok, so, no crazyness. At least FD 50/1.4 is a really good lens.

 

[Ron Evers]

OP uses an NEX 3. They'll work just fine. I may have a 35/2 concaved I'm willing to sell if you're interested.

What condition & price?

 

[wrkhard4smallrewards]

Thanks for the replies. I would be interested in the 35 if I had any money left, but, I simply cant, maxed out man, for sure. Just a poor guy here...

As to the price, if the quality is bad def a bad deal, however, where are you finding the 135 2.8 for 30-40? I saw one posting on ebay, but the description says that there is visible fungus that appears in the actual images, cuasing them to be soft...and yet it is still going (or was) for 40...which is kind of what convinced me to pull the trigger...lol. Though I wanted that 50 1.4 bad anyway...

I will post here if they are clean, scratch free and sharp, and I will also show some pictures of the Nex 3 with them mounted, as I had a hard time finding good pictures comparing the Nex with kit lens vs the FD for size reference purposes. They are out there, but took a lot of digging. Heck, I guess I will do some comparison testing too, just for others like myself hunting down FD lenses!

Also, ouch on the 2 people that voted wtf crazy. Ouch.

 

[enzodm]

where are you finding the 135 2.8 for 30-40? I saw one posting on ebay, but the description says that there is visible fungus that appears in the actual images, cuasing them to be soft...and yet it is still going (or was) for 40...which is kind of what convinced me to pull the trigger...lol. Though I wanted that 50 1.4 bad anyway...

I only quickly browsed completed listings, so I may have confounded other brands in FD mount. However, at least one is at 50$ , and a couple 50 + 135 is at 92. Anyway, I hope for you quality is good, and you will have good lenses. Here a page with Nex + FD 50/1.4: Canon 50mm f/1.4 SSC : ERPhotoReview . Sometimes I think to buy a Nex to have access to lenses I currently cannot use... rangefinder lenses, FD, cine,...

 

[jake337]

I would have went to KEH.com instead, at least then you can return it. Worth the extra $10-15 per lens.

 

[wrkhard4smallrewards]

I would have went to KEH.com instead, at least then you can return it. Worth the extra $10-15 per lens.

hmm, I actually had not heard of keh.com....I will check it out in the future. Thanks!

EDIT, after looking at the site, if there is fungus, I obviously got nailed, but, it looks very clean and does have all the caps (per contacting them) and so if my theory on his taking excellent care of his 50 1.4 (based largely on aesthetics and UV filter) then an equivalent on keh.com would have cost 100+ just for the 50mm

In fact, if in excellent condition as I am hoping they will be, then an equivalent set on keh.com would cost 245 plus shipping or more, so at least double what I spent.

In 70-79% condition at brg prices it would cost 133ish plus shipping, so even then it would have been 10 or so dollars over what I paid, plus shipping fees (may be less or more, not sure) These at least do not have dings and cosmetic damage, but, inners is the key...so we will see.

either way, comparable to the brg prices, with a gamble on getting excellent or losing money I probably would have been better off gambling on one lens with shopgoodwill, but #$#% I really wanted some lenses faster than 3.5

Def a very useful site though, I will keep it bookmarked for future reference!

 

[wrkhard4smallrewards]

Well, I will post pictures later as promised, thought it may not be a popular thread. However, I have to say, they turned out perfect! Spectacular condition, not a mark anywhere. And why goodwill didnt say it, I dont know, but the 135mm comes with the original leather canon case, the 50mm came in a air blow up airguard case thingy, and all three had filters on them, two fairly cheap (10 dollars or so used on ebay) polarizer filters...great for me as now I dont have to buy any, and one cheap uv filter I will never use. But everything is perfect, no dings, scratches, nothing worn off, no paint chips, blades are smooth and look flawless with no oil, as I understand sometimes happens. Truly paid off, a bit of a gamble, but well worth it I think.

Highly recommend shopgoodwill now, though ymmv.

 

[wrkhard4smallrewards]

Welll.ll....I have to revise my review again. Turns out there is fungus. It has not affected my images, but the 135 has filaments on the barrell...and some dust like specks on the lens, though only 1 or 2. If I hold the 50 mm up it looks like some light dust, though I dont see any actual fungus, and am not sure the dust is fungus or just some dust....probably just going to keep using them though. Cant tell my wife so lets hope it cant get into my 18-55 or screw up my sensor!

 

[Jeremy Z]

They don't exist without pictures.