Lens · prime
Canon FD 85mm f/1.2 L
Canon · from 1976
Canon FD 85mm f/1.2 L: 8 elements in 6 groups, 8 aperture blades, 0.9m minimum focus, 72mm filter thread, 680g. Canon Camera Museum marketing dates: FD85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. ASPHERICAL (January 1976); New FD85mm f/1.2L (March 1980).
- Focal length
- 85mm
- Max aperture
- f/1.2
- Mount
- Canon FD
- Format
- 35mm
- Elements / groups
- 8 / 6
Known for
- Portraits
- Fashion
- Wedding
- Available light
Considerations
- Heavy (680 g New FD, 756 g breech-lock)
- Soft wide open
- Manual focus at f/1.2 challenging
Optical characteristics
Silverlog's editorial rating: our own judgement, not measured data.
Bokeh: Legendary creamy blur
Rendering: Dreamy portraits, stunning separation
Colour: Warm, flattering skin tones
Silverlog's editorial rating, 1 to 5; five is best. Not lab-measured.
Versions
FD 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical
1976-1980
Chrome breech-lock ring, ASPHERICAL marking
8 elements in 6 groups, 9 blades, 1.0 m MFD, 756 g
New FD 85mm f/1.2L
1980-1989
All-black, red L ring
8 elements in 6 groups, 8 blades, 0.9 m MFD, 680 g
The breech-lock version (January 1976) was the brightest SLR 85mm lens when released and used an aspherical element and floating system (Canon Camera Museum). The New FD version (March 1980) carries the L name.
Common issues
- Sticky aperture
- Haze in elements
- Focus ring wear
Buying guide
Check for internal haze carefully. Test aperture at all settings.
Specifications
| Mount | Canon FD |
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 8 |
| Min Focus | 0.9m |
| Filter Size | 72mm |
| Weight | 680g |
Optical design
| Formula | Double Gauss |
| Elements | 8 |
| Groups | 6 |
| Coating | SSC (Canon) |
| Special | Aspherical element |
Pricing
- Typical used price
- £500 - £900
- Mint
- ~£1200
Indicative, no dated source.