 Alex Cabrall |
Canon FD lenes: Old vs. New. I'd like to hear what people have to say about older "breechlock" FD lenses. I currently have such a lens, a 50mm f/1.8. The breechlock makes changing lenes a pain, sure, but I seem to be getting pretty decent images. Would I see an increase in sharpness if I purchased a "new" (I hear they were called FDn breifly) 50mm f/1.4 "Bayonet" lens in good condition from my local Wolf Camera? Because the prices on these lenses are relatively low, I'd assume buying another F/1.8 over an F/1.4 would be foolish, as 1.4's tend to be built better. What about Aspherical Elements? Would my older lens lack one? I know it's a rather vague question, But any feedback would be greatly accepted. Thank you.
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Jon Close |
With respect to breech-lock and "New FD", There is no difference in lens quality or sharpness. Only a simplified mounting procedure. The f/1.4 is 2/3 stops faster, has better build, slightly closer focusing (0.5m v. 0.6m), and more aperture diaphram blades (8 v. 5 or 6) giving more rounded aperture shape for better "bokeh" (nice creamy out-of-focus background). Neither lens has an aspheric element. Aspherics are generally not helpful for 50mm, expcept for really wide aperture models like f/1.2 or f/1.0. More often these are found in wide angle zooms. The f/1.4 is marginally better corrected than the f/1.8 with 8 elements instead of 6, though the f/1.8 is very sharp in its own right.
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doug Nelson |
It seems that makers tend to improve lenses with new models, but would you see a difference between a breech-lock 1.8 and the same series 1.4? Maybe, as John says, the out-of-focus blur would be smoother. Between the breech-lock 1.4 SSC and the 1.4 FDn? You'd have to enlarge to poster size, and even then, any difference may be undetectable. Also, the old FD 58-filter size 1.2's are as sharp as any from f4 on and have a delightful softness from wide open to f2.8. The old FD 24 f2.8, 28 f2, 50mm f 1.4, and 35 f2 (chrome filter ring version) are all highly regarded oldies.
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