I vote for the 85-F1.2L.

One of the cheapest Canon top lenses is the 50mm f/2.5 Macro.

Uwe

Hi Jason. For FD lenses I believe a 50mm or 55mm normal Canon lens is a good purchase if you don't have one all ready. The wide angle lense I use most is a Cannon 35mm, which is great for interiors without a lot of distortion. Finally, you may want to consider zoom lenses, like the Vivitor Series 1 70-210mm lens.

You were asking about Canon FD lenses and I have an article that is a good resource you will want to read. The article is "I Love Great Optics!" by Barry Evans, page 116 in the December 2002 issue of Photographic. Take care and good shooting.

35-105MM 3.5 IT

HEY UWESTEIN, EXCUSE ME, I THINK YOU ARE IN A MISTAKE, THE CANON MACRO LENS FD 5OMM IS NOT 2.5, IT IS 3.5. I HAVE IT.

Hi Jason, yes 135/f1.2 is very good lens,(my best) but my next be 85/f1.2 and 35-105/f3.5

How can you get a copy of Barry Evans article?
I went to Photographics web site and couldn't find it.

I believe the article is not posted in their archives. I was able to get a copy by asking a reference librarian at my local library for a copy of: "I Love Great Optics!" by Barry Evans, page 116 in the December 2002 issue of Photographic. I'm not sure if e-mailing the editors at Photographic would work but it's worth a try.

I think you have the wrong lens. the 50mm macro is f/2.5

The FD 50 macro is an f3.5, the EF is a 2.5. There are some real sleepers among Canon FD lenses. In addition to the macros (SSC and FDn), the 50mm f1.4 is so cheap these days that there's no sense in worrying about the f1.8. The 50 f1.2 L is still around $500 in good shape, but I haven't taken that plunge. The 35mm f2's are excellent, except for the SSC version with the f22 minimum aperture, not bad, but not as sharp as the ones before and after. The FDn version of the 35mm f2 is as distortion-free as they come. Even the el cheapo 35mm f2.8 is a very decent lens, as good as the f2 at f4 through f11. The often ignored 28mm f3.5 (FL, FD chrome nose and FD SC versions) was Canon's only 28 from about 1966 to 73. It's a nice sharp lens, but the newer 28 f2.8 SC is just as good, probably better at larger apertures. If you don't want to lay out $500 for the 85mm f1.2L, the 100mm f2 FDn is probably as sharp. My sample of the 85mm f1.8 has noticeable pincusion distortion, so I keep it away from architectural subjects.

The best FD lens (value for money in my opinion) is the 135 f3.5.
I got mine second hand for

Best canon lenses - duh! It's the L series. But what a price to pay for 2-5% more performance. I have 12 Canon lenses. Most are Canon, but some other good ones come from the aftermarket. The Sigma UC series tests as highly as most Canons in equal zoom ranges. Of course Angeniuex rates extremly high, but their controls are a bit backwards - and they cost the same as L series. I've had very good luck with all my SSCs. They are a bit warmer that the later FD(n) mounts, but perform really well. Lastly it comes down to service. If one of my lenses gets "soft" in focus or results, I send it off to Fred at ICT Camera in MT. View CA. He's a german trained lens specialist who will service and recolumate it (put all the elements in proper relationship) for around $100. Every lens he has serviced has really paid off. They snap into focus and show better detail in the final images. Hope this helps - Broc

In my opinion my favourite FD lense is the 85 mm f1.8 The 1.2 is better but they are rare and pricey. I don't believe that there was an L series of FD lenses. The L series seems to be only the EF line.

With the FD lenses there was a series of "professional" lenses with a special designation, but I don't recall if it was referred as "L". One I had for some time was a 50-300mm zoom, very big and heavy, but incredible quality for a zoom.

Yes,
The FD line definately had L lenses. The 85 F1.2 was an excellent example. It came in the breech mount and later in FD. It, in my opinion was better than the AF models ( I have owned both in the past).

I have Used the nine canon FD lenses I own for nearly twenty years and I consider the 50mm f 1.4 to be the best overall optic, they are all better lenses than I am A photographer.

FD 300/4
FD35-105/3.5
on the used market quite reasonable from older shooters cleaning out the FD series.

Quote:
In my opinion my favourite FD lense is the 85 mm f1.8 The 1.2 is better but they are rare and pricey. I don't believe that there was an L series of FD lenses. The L series seems to be only the EF line.

There were several L lenses in the FD series. I personlly had the 20-35,the 50 F 1.2, the 85 F 1.2. The 85 was the sharpest lens I ever owned. As a series, they were probably the best MF lenses ever made, to include Leica. I also had the EF 85 F 1.2, but I felt is did not compare with it's MF brother.