Lens · prime
Canon FD 35mm f/2
Canon · from 1973
Canon FD 35mm f/2: 10 elements in 8 groups, 8 aperture blades, 0.3m minimum focus, 52mm filter thread, 245g. Canon Camera Museum marketing dates: FD35mm f/2 S.S.C. (I) (March 1973); FD35mm f/2 S.S.C. (II) (April 1976); New FD35mm f/2 (December 1979).
- Focal length
- 35mm
- Max aperture
- f/2
- Mount
- Canon FD
- Format
- 35mm
- Elements / groups
- 10 / 8
Known for
- Street photography
- Travel
- Environmental portraits
- Documentary
Considerations
- Some barrel distortion
Optical characteristics
Silverlog's editorial rating: our own judgement, not measured data.
Bokeh: Pleasant, smooth
Rendering: Sharp with good microcontrast
Colour: Neutral Canon colour science
Silverlog's editorial rating, 1 to 5; five is best. Not lab-measured.
Versions
FD (breech-lock)
1971-1979
Chrome breech-lock ring; 55mm filter; early versions have a concave front element, the 1976 S.S.C. (II) a convex one
9 elements in 8 groups, 345-420 g
New FD
1979-1990
All-black, bayonet-style mount; 52mm filter
10 elements in 8 groups, 245 g
The breech-lock S.S.C. (March 1973) had 9 elements and was Canon's first SLR wide-angle with a floating mechanism; the New FD (December 1979) has 10 elements in 8 groups.
Common issues
- Sticky aperture
- Focus ring stiffness
- Coating wear
Buying guide
Check focus operates smoothly to minimum distance. Aperture should click precisely. The breech-lock (9 elements) and New FD (10 elements) versions are different optical designs.
Specifications
| Mount | Canon FD |
| Focal Length | 35mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 8 |
| Min Focus | 0.3m |
| Filter Size | 52mm |
| Weight | 245g |
Optical design
| Formula | Retrofocus |
| Elements | 10 |
| Groups | 8 |
| Coating | SSC (Canon) |
Pricing
- Typical used price
- £80 - £160
- Mint
- ~£220
Indicative, no dated source.