![\"Canon](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/DSC05584-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This guide was written to give you a good idea what to expect from Canon’s older FD lenses, many of which still perform very well on modern digital cameras.<\/p>\n
All tests are performed with the 24MP full frame Sony a7\/a7ii. Our ratings are always based\u00a0on using the lenses with these cameras,\u00a0the evaluation will be a different one on a smaller sensor.\u00a0To learn more about using manual lenses on the Sony a7 check our\u00a0beginners guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most of these summaries are based on our own experience but we also decided to also include l<\/strong>enses we haven’t used ourselves to pool useful information we found on the net which we have\u00a0summarized\u00a0based on our experience with reviewing lenses. We would also be very happy if you shared your own experience with Canon FD lenses we don’t have any reliable information on yet.\u00a0<\/strong>We are quite picky with the information we use though. That’s because 95% of the information we come across is unreliable: Everyone has different standards, Person A might rate the very same lens as a great performer while person B thinks it’s total junk. So we are mostly interested in\u00a0full resolution images taken with a fullframe camera including information on the aperture used.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you purchase the lens through one of the affiliate-links in this article we get a small compensation with no additional cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n Status: Used by Jannik for a short time in the past<\/em> 360g + adapter | $200 |\u00a0technical data<\/a> |\u00a0sample images<\/a> | \u00a0user reviews<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a> \u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Status:\u00a0Used a lot by Phillip then sold to fund the FE 4\/16-35<\/a>. Owned by Jannik for a short time, but replaced by the Loxia 2.8\/21. <\/a><\/em> I can recommend this lens to anyone who\u00a0needs an affordable solution for landscape photography but make sure to stop it down.<\/strong><\/p>\n 305g | $160\u00a0| full review<\/a> | aperture series<\/a> | sample images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Phillip owned it for a short time back in the Nex-days, some\u00a0reliable information available.<\/em><\/p>\n It is a good\u00a0lens but the only significant difference to the f\/2.8 version is that it is a stop faster and it isn’t very good at f\/2 so the much cheaper 2.8\/24 is the smarter buy if you ask me.<\/strong><\/p>\n 285g | $200 |\u00a0technical data<\/a>\u00a0| Review <\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0short review<\/a>\u00a0| test images Nex-5n<\/a><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Reviewed\u00a0by Phillip who still uses it occasionally.<\/em><\/p>\n A very good solution for budget oriented landscape shooters, it is small, cheap and sharp. <\/strong><\/p>\n 240g | $65 | full Review<\/a> | aperture series<\/a> |\u00a0sample images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n If you consider the price this a very attractive lens, not only for landscape photography but also other genres because it is quite usable wide open.<\/strong><\/p>\n 170g | $35 | technical data<\/a> |\u00a0aperture series <\/a>|\u00a0sample images<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: <\/em><\/p>\n All in all the most balanced FD 35mm lens. Recommended.<\/strong><\/p>\n 245g | 120\u20ac | comparison<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>* |(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Borrowed\u00a0by Phillip for a few weeks, some reliable information available.<\/em><\/p>\n All in all an attractive lens with a wide range of applications an good performance in most aspects, a little on the heavy side.<\/strong><\/p>\n 370g | $130 | noland.photos short review<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0| aperture series<\/a> |\u00a0sample images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>*\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Owned by Phillip for a few months.<\/em><\/p>\n Not only is it small and affordable, it is also quite sharp\u00a0from f\/2.8 with rather smooth\u00a0bokeh so it is a\u00a0lens with a wide range of applications.<\/strong><\/p>\n 165g | $50\u00a0| full review<\/a> | aperture seri<\/a>es<\/a> | sample images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>*\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Never owned ourselves, some\u00a0reliable information available.<\/em><\/p>\n The red L-ring is of course alluring and it’s contrast at f\/1.2 was unrivaled back in the day but I wouldn’t be willing to pay $600 for this lens when a lens like the not much more expensive Sigma 1.4\/50 plays in a totally different league.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/a>380g | $600 |\u00a0MTF Diagram <\/a>(scroll down) | comparison with 1.2\/55 Asph. and 1.4\/50<\/a>\u00a0| comparison with FE 1.8\/55<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Phillip\u00a0has reviewed it\u00a0and uses it occasionally.<\/em> A versatile lens which changes it’s character completely as you stop down. It is somewhat soft wide open but excellent stopped down. It is small, fast and affordable so I can only recommend it.<\/strong><\/p>\n 235g | $50\u00a0| full review<\/a> | aperture series <\/a>| sample images<\/a>\u00a0| <\/strong>MTF Diagram<\/a>\u00a0(FD Version)<\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Owned by Phillip for a few months, doesn’t see much use.<\/em><\/p>\n It isn’t a bad lens but the nFD 1.4\/50 is a significantly better lens for only a few bucks more so I can’t really recommend this one.<\/strong><\/p>\n 170g | $20 | full review<\/a> | aperture series<\/a> | sample images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Never used\u00a0ourselves, some reliable information available.<\/em><\/p>\n If you need a 50mm macro lens I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this sharp and affordable lens.<\/strong><\/p>\n 230g | $60 |aperture series<\/a>\u00a0| sample images<\/a> |\u00a0technical data<\/a> |\u00a0MTF Diagram\u00a0<\/a>| User report <\/a>(in German)<\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status:\u00a0Borrowed from a friend for two\u00a0weeks, ran one extensive comparison<\/a> with it.<\/em><\/p>\n I think this is an underrated lens,\u00a0sure it isn’t small and the bokeh isn’t the smoothest but I was surprised by the sharpness and it is rather affordable compared to other f\/1.2’s.<\/strong><\/p>\n 565 g | $150 |\u00a0Phillip’s images<\/a> | aperture series<\/a> buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Never used ourselves, reliable\u00a0information available.<\/em><\/p>\n All in all it is a good\u00a0performer for portraits and other stuff where contrast and good central sharpness as well as bokeh matter but not the best choice when off-center sharpness matters and modern lenses like the Mitakon 0.95\/50 are probably a better choice.<\/strong><\/p>\n 575g <\/strong>| $650\u00a0<\/strong>| full resolution samples images<\/a> |\u00a0user report <\/a>(German) | MTF Diagram<\/a> (scroll down) | comparison<\/a> with 1.2\/50 L and 1.4\/50<\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Owned by Jannik for a few months then sold to Phillip who has owned it for a few months.<\/em><\/p>\n If you consider that this lens was released 45 years ago it’s performance is absolutely astonishing and it still shines today.<\/strong><\/p>\n 756g | $650\u00a0| review<\/a> |\u00a0aperture series<\/a> | MTF Diagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0sample images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n buy from ebay<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link)<\/p>\n Status: Jannik owned the lens (S.S.C. version) but sold it some time ago. 345<\/strong>g | $170<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>|<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>gallery<\/a> |\u00a0user reviews<\/a>\u00a0| comparison with 1.2\/85 L<\/a>\u00a0| flickr group<\/a>\u00a0| technical data<\/a><\/p>\n Status: Jannik owned the lens for some time but sold it. <\/em><\/p>\n 445g | ~300\u20ac | aperture series <\/a>| sample images<\/a> | user review<\/a> (German) <\/a>|\u00a0user review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Status: Jannik owned the lens shortly but sold it some time ago. <\/em><\/p>\n All in all a excellent lens for portraits and also good for landscape photography. Highly Recommended 660g | ~300\u20ac | aperture series<\/a> | sample images<\/a> | theweekendlens.com review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Status: Phillip\u00a0has reviewed it but not used much since then.<\/em><\/p>\n All in all a very good lens for portraits and landscape photography\u00a0for a great\u00a0price.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 398g | $60 | full review<\/a> | aperture series<\/a> | sample images<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWideangle lenses<\/h1>\n
\u00a0Canon (n)FD 4\/17<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"17mm_a\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/17mm_a-231x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"2016-08-23_08-10-56\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2016-08-23_08-10-56.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon (n)FD 2.8\/20<\/h4>\n
\n![\"Canon_FD_20mmmf2p8\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Canon_FD_20mmmf2p8-266x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"DSC01137\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/DSC01137-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon nFD 2\/24<\/h4>\n
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Canon nFD 2.8\/24<\/b><\/h4>\n
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![\"Canon_nFD_24mmf2p8-6\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Canon_nFD_24mmf2p8-6-300x260.jpg\")
<\/a>Noticeable vignetting, busy bokeh, some coma and soft corners at f\/2.8. The center is sharp.<\/li>\n![\"Canon](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/DSC00426-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/h4>\n
Canon nFD 2.8\/28<\/h4>\n
![\"DSC09332\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC09332-291x300.jpg\")
Status: Owned by Phillip for a few weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
![\"DSC04736\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/DSC04736.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon nFD 2.0\/35<\/h4>\n
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\u00a0Canon FD 2\/35 (convex)<\/h3>\n
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Canon nFD 2.8\/35<\/h4>\n
![\"Canon_nFD_35mmf2p8-6\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Canon_nFD_35mmf2p8-6-300x261.jpg\")
<\/h4>\n\n
![\"Canon](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/DSC00567.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNormal lenses<\/h4>\n
\u00a0Canon nFD 1.2\/50 L<\/h2>\n
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Canon nFD 1.4\/50<\/h4>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n![\"DSC04008\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC04008-300x238.jpg\")
<\/h4>\n\n
![\"Canon](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/DSC09023.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon nFD 1.8\/50
![\"DSC09331\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC09331-291x300.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n\n
\nprice\/performance ratio.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"DSC04791\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/DSC04791.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon (n)FD 3.5\/50 Macro<\/h4>\n
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Canon FD 1.2\/55<\/h4>\n
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\nfull resolution collection<\/a> | comparison with Minolta 1.2\/58<\/a> |sebboh’s images<\/a>\u00a0| comparison with other normal lenses at f\/8<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0flickr pool<\/a><\/p>\n![\"DSC06772\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/DSC06772.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon FD 1.2\/55 Aspherical<\/h4>\n
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Canon FD 1.2\/85 Aspherical
![\"Canon_FD_85mmf1p2-1-3\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Canon_FD_85mmf1p2-1-3-300x215.jpg\")
<\/h4>\n\n
![\"DSC05429\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/DSC05429.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon (n)FD 1.8\/85<\/h4>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n\n
![\"DSC01301\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC01301-221x300.jpg\")
Wide open it is already pretty sharp in the center.<\/li>\n![\"post-66313-0-92352000-1422608446\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/post-66313-0-92352000-1422608446.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCanon nFD 2.0\/100<\/h4>\n
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\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/h4>\n
Canon nFD 2.0\/135<\/h4>\n
\n
![\"DSC02853\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC02853-200x300.jpg\")
At f\/2.0, the center is very sharp, the midfield and the edges reach good sharpness. For portraits and shallow depth-of-field work, this is excellent.<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nCanon nFD 2.8\/135<\/h4>\n
![\"Canon_nFD_135mmf2p8-10\"](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Canon_nFD_135mmf2p8-10-300x242.jpg\")
<\/h4>\n\n
![\"Canon](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/DSC00578.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![es<\/a> |](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Canon_nFD_35mmf2p8_infinity.jpg\"){kind=link}
![aperture series<\/a> |](\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Blendenreihe_135mm.jpg\"){kind=link}