Best 35mm FD lens for Canon

[5stringdeath]

The 800/5.6L goes for ~$1k.

But this thread is about 35mm lenses

 

[Jeff Kubach]

This thread kinda rattle my brain, I remember I have an old 35 FL 2.5 which I haven't used for a long time. I'm going to get it out and use it.

Jeff

 

[5stringdeath]

This thread kinda rattle my brain, I remember I have an old 35 FL 2.5 which I haven't used for a long time. I'm going to get it out and use it.

Jeff

You probably need to sell it.

To me.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I'm a lazy SOB! I would sell it but it is too much trouble.!

Jeff

 

[5stringdeath]

I'm a lazy SOB! I would sell it but it is too much trouble.!

Jeff

Haha, nice answer

 

[benjiboy]

That's the same reason Jeff I have three Canon FD 35mm lenses, and four 50mm lenses .
PS I find 35mm lenses great for using indoors with flash(strobe) for using at parties and functions.

 

[5stringdeath]

Well you guys weren't kidding, shot some with the 35mm FDn 2.0 and its really sharp. What a great lens ... happy!

 

[benjiboy]

Well you guys weren't kidding, shot some with the 35mm FDn 2.0 and its really sharp. What a great lens ... happy!

I rarely have one off one of my FD bodys, the Thorium one is my '72 Gibson Les Paul and my '62 Fender Jazz Bass rolled into one, I have the FDn version as well ,and if you think that is good (which it is) try the older chrome nosed Thorium version which usually sells for much less than the FDn one.

 

[dynachrome]

Best FD 35

By now I have a number of FD 35s. The list includes a 35/3.5 chrome front, a 35/2 FD SSC, two black front 35/3.5 FD SCs, three 35/2.8 New FDs and four 35/2 New FDs. What am I missing? I don't have the 35/2 chrome front or the later 35/2 FD SSC with the convex front element. The later 35/2 SSC seems to be sought after more for its rarity than its performance. It doesn't show up very often. The 35/2 chrome front is more plentiful. Eventually I would like to add both to my collection. My favorite is the FD SSC with the concave front element. I gace mine the light treatment ad it cleared up nicely. The 35/2 New FD I use most is a U.S. NAVY model which I had serviced. I also have two 35/2.5 FL lenses which I use occasionally.

 

[5stringdeath]

You know I have a NAVY FD lens myself ... what's the deal with these, besides the fact I gather they were made for the Navy?

 

[benjiboy]

By now I have a number of FD 35s. The list includes a 35/3.5 chrome front, a 35/2 FD SSC, two black front 35/3.5 FD SCs, three 35/2.8 New FDs and four 35/2 New FDs. What am I missing? I don't have the 35/2 chrome front or the later 35/2 FD SSC with the convex front element. The later 35/2 SSC seems to be sought after more for its rarity than its performance. It doesn't show up very often. The 35/2 chrome front is more plentiful. Eventually I would like to add both to my collection. My favorite is the FD SSC with the concave front element. I gace mine the light treatment ad it cleared up nicely. The 35/2 New FD I use most is a U.S. NAVY model which I had serviced. I also have two 35/2.5 FL lenses which I use occasionally.

The early chrome nose FD 35mm f2( mine was made in 1971) had the concave front element but unlike the later SSC black version stopped down to f22 not f16 and isn't the same as the SSC but is considerably heavier, although I think it is still I suspect Thorium lens I don't know how they compare optically because I only have the FDn 35mm f2 and the FDn 35mm f2.8 not the SSC to compare it with.

 

[andrewkirkby]

Andrew the FDn is a very good lens I have owned and used one for more than fifteen years but since I got the Chrome nosed 35mm f2 Thorium lens I have never used it, and I also have the newer FDn 35mm f2 and aperture for aperture the chrome nosed lens ,(mine was made in 1971) outperforms all of them .

Unfortunately due to pollution & heavy metals restrictions in manufacturing, most companies can no longer make the special glass types required for optimal light transmitting properties.

I will tell you now that Canon was not able to continue making the 200mm 1.8L EF lens OR the 1200mm EF lens because of this reason.

I don't see what the problem is. If you've got lead contained in glass then it's not exactly hazardrous!

No way could you make Thorium glass today. The greenies would go to town on you.

 

[benjiboy]

Unfortunately due to pollution & heavy metals restrictions in manufacturing, most companies can no longer make the special glass types required for optimal light transmitting properties.

I will tell you now that Canon was not able to continue making the 200mm 1.8L EF lens OR the 1200mm EF lens because of this reason.

I don't see what the problem is. If you've got lead contained in glass then it's not exactly hazardrous!

No way could you make Thorium glass today. The greenies would go to town on you.

You are quite right Andrew, in fact the Japanese Government stopped Canon manufacturing the lenses containing Lithium glass elements because of health and safety issues with the work people grinding the glass.

 

[Greg Campbell]

I think you need to define 'best.' My old chrome nose f/3.5 is big and heavy, but makes fantastic images and cost me all of 8 bucks. Having a super-fast lens is 'nice' but I don't think the exotic glass is necessarily 'better' or more useful.

 

[benjiboy]

I think you need to define 'best.' My old chrome nose f/3.5 is big and heavy, but makes fantastic images and cost me all of 8 bucks. Having a super-fast lens is 'nice' but I don't think the exotic glass is necessarily 'better' or more useful.

Greg, I agree that super fast lenses are not necessarily better, but the chrome nosed f2 is a particularly good lens that is very sharp at all apertures that still can be bought fairly cheap but not as cheap as $8. Fast lenses are better if they are fast and still produce exceptional quality images because they give a brighter focusing screen image, and enable you to shoot in lower light conditions.

 

[dynachrome]

The first version of the 35/2 FD SSC (chrome mounting ring, black front) has the concave front element and has an element containing thorium. The second version of the FD SSC (chrome mounting ring, black front) has a convex front element and does not have any elements with thorium. Someone mentioned lithium. I think you meant lanthanum.

 

[benjiboy]

The first version of the 35/2 FD SSC (chrome mounting ring, black front) has the concave front element and has an element containing thorium. The second version of the FD SSC (chrome mounting ring, black front) has a convex front element and does not have any elements with thorium. Someone mentioned lithium. I think you meant lanthanum.[/QUOTE
The earliest versions of this lens have chrome noses and mounting rings, and are not marked S.C. or SSC, all the versions that stop down to f22 have the Thorium element.