![\"DSC07195\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/DSC07195.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIntroduction<\/span><\/p>\n I think the FD 300mm 1:4 L is a great lens, it’s optical performance is close to excellent, it isn’t that big nor too expensive and the handling on the Sony Alpha 7 is quite good.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Size:\u00a0<\/strong>(diameter x length): 85mm x 207mm According to mir.com<\/a> there are two versions of the lens, the older one with the old breech lock system and the younger the updated \u00a0new FD mounting system, as far as I know both versions are optically\u00a0the same<\/p>\n This lens handles quite well on my Sony Alpha 7.<\/p>\n The focusing is internal, so the lens doesn’t extend and it you can focus it with a flick of your little finger which is great for ation shots but it works well for landscape use as well.<\/p>\n The tripod collar is quite big and sturdy, it can be rotated from landscape to portrait orientation and it is detachable.<\/span><\/p>\n The lens hood is fixed to the lens and rather small, a larger one would be more effective but would make the lens a lot bigger as well.<\/p>\n I find it easy to use it without support, it weight only a little over 1 kilogram and the weight is well balanced, it get very sharp images at 1\/640 sec. when holding it without support.<\/p>\n I prefer to use it on a monopod which makes focusing much easier because it stabilizes the lifeview and also allows me to use about 2 stops slower shutter speeds, I get very good results at 1\/160 \u00a0sec.<\/p>\n Not much to tell here, it is as great as you would expect from a professional lens from the 80s.<\/p>\n I tested this lens on a Sony a7.<\/p>\n Vignetting<\/strong> It is quite noticeable at f\/4\u00a0and basically gone at f\/5.6<\/p>\n Distortion<\/strong> didn’t check, sorry<\/p>\n Flare Resistance<\/strong> It is rather sensitive to flare, most problematic are light sources just outside the field of view. Shading it with your hand can help. Chromatic Aberrations<\/strong><\/p>\n at f\/4 LoCa<\/strong> can be seen at edges with hard contrast, stopping down to f\/5.6 reduces it a lot and it is quite hard to make it show .<\/p>\n LaCa<\/strong> are quite well corrected.<\/p>\n Sharpness<\/strong><\/p>\n f\/4 The lens is sharp from corner to corner at f\/4 and I don’t hesitate to use it at this aperture. 100% crop: f\/5.6\u00a0Contrast and sharpness improve noticeably and reach an excellent level, this is the optimal aperture. 100% crop: f\/11 \u00a0Diffraction becomes noticeable but sharpness is still very good in absolute terms.<\/p>\n FD lenses can be used on all mirror-less cameras like Sony Alpha, Fuji-X or MicroFourThirds, all you need is an adapter.<\/p>\n I\u00a0would recommend a Novoflex Adapter<\/a> (affiliate link), it is expensive but it will fit better <\/a>than cheap ones from China.\u00a0The cheap ones are good enough (in fact all the images in this review were made with a $10 adapter) but after I got that Novoflex adapter I can only recommend it.<\/p>\n Because of the rather high register distance of the FD mount there are no adapters for any DSLR camera, but it is possible to swap the mount for a EF mount developed by EDMika, he lists the compatibility status of his adapter and this lens as unknown so I would ask him if he knows if it will work.<\/p>\n just click on the image to download it in full resolution at flickr<\/p>\n I really enjoy this lens and carry it with me a lot, I can recommend it to everyone who needs a manual, portable high performance tele lens.<\/p>\n The direct competition in it’s time was the Nikon 4.5\/300 ED IF, I never used it but from the reports I read aobut it, I think that the Canon is a little bit better.<\/p>\n There is also a Canon FD 4\/300 nonL, I haven’t used that either but from the reports I read and because of the lack of low dispersion glass I assume that it will be significantly worse.<\/p>\n Then there is the Canon nFD 2.8\/300 L which is at least as good but usually twice as expensive and more than twice as heavy.<\/p>\n You found my blog helpful? Please consider\u00a0use one of these affiliate links\u00a0when looking for the 4\/300 at ebay: Canon FD 4\/300 L at ebay.com<\/a> or ebay.de.<\/a><\/p>\n This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n For the right adapter check out our Adapter Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is a review of the Canon FD 4\/300 L, a 35 years old professional tele lens which gives really nice results on todays mirrorless cameras. Introduction I think the FD 300mm 1:4 L is a great lens, it’s optical performance is close to excellent, it isn’t that big nor too expensive and the handling … Continue reading Canon FD 300mm 1:4 L Review<\/span> Specifications<\/h3>\n
\nFilter Thread<\/strong>: no front filter thread but 34mm drop in filters
\nWeight<\/strong>: 1060g
\n<\/span>Close Focusing Distance \/max. Magnification<\/strong> : 3m\/0.11
\n<\/span>Number of aperture blades<\/strong>: 9
\n<\/span>Price \u00a0(Germany May 2014)<\/strong>: In the 350-500\u20ac range for good condition. Canon FD 4\/300 L at ebay.com<\/a> or ebay.de<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nVersions<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nHandling<\/h3>\n
Build quality<\/h3>\n
Optical performance<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nBokeh<\/strong> I think it is quite pleasing, there is no outlining of highlight discs
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>
\nf\/8 I think I see a very minor drop in sharpness.<\/p>\nCompatibility<\/span><\/h2>\n
Image Samples in high resolution<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\n
Alternatives<\/h3>\n
Support<\/h3>\n
Other Articles<\/h1>\n
\n