Lens · prime
Canon FD 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
Canon · from 1973
Canon FD 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye: 10 elements in 9 groups, 6 aperture blades, 0.2m minimum focus, 460g. Canon Camera Museum marketing dates: Fisheye FD15mm f/2.8 S.S.C. (April 1973); New Fisheye FD15mm f/2.8 (January 1980).
- Focal length
- 15mm
- Max aperture
- f/2.8
- Mount
- Canon FD
- Format
- 35mm
- Elements / groups
- 10 / 9
Known for
- Creative photography
- Skateboarding
- Real estate
- Scientific imaging
Considerations
- Extreme distortion
- No front filters
- Specialized use
Optical characteristics
Silverlog's editorial rating: our own judgement, not measured data.
Bokeh: N/A for fisheye
Rendering: 180° diagonal fisheye distortion
Colour: Neutral
Silverlog's editorial rating, 1 to 5; five is best. Not lab-measured.
Versions
Fisheye FD S.S.C. (breech-lock)
1973-1979
Chrome breech-lock ring
10 elements in 9 groups, f/16 minimum, 485 g; built-in SKY, Y3, O and R filters
New FD
1980-1989
All-black, bayonet-style mount
10 elements in 9 groups, f/22 minimum, 460 g; built-in filters
Full-frame fisheye with a 180 degree diagonal angle of view. Built-in SKY, Y3, O and R filters, as filters cannot be attached to the front. Canon lists a 0.3m closest distance on the scale, but it will focus closer (0.2m) at smaller apertures.
Common issues
- Front element damage
- Focus ring wear
Buying guide
Check the bulbous front element carefully. The built-in filter selector should turn and click into each position.
Specifications
| Mount | Canon FD |
| Focal Length | 15mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 6 |
| Min Focus | 0.2m |
| Weight | 460g |
Optical design
| Formula | Retrofocus |
| Elements | 10 |
| Groups | 9 |
| Coating | SSC (Canon) |
Pricing
- Typical used price
- £200 - £380
- Mint
- ~£480
Indicative, no dated source.