Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 – review

Published by Tony on 2018-09-262018-09-26

Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 (nFD) lens review.

This is one another well known and popular Canon FD-mount lens with a lack of trusted tests on the internet.

Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 specifications:

Canon Museum link

More data:

Canon New FD 35mm f2.0 optical design

Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 lens exterior:

Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 sharpness

Сlose-distance resolution test, minimal distance

Testing methods description

• Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
• Distance: 1.7m
• Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
• The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
• RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px

Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper)

Scene preview

Test results

Long-distance resolution test

Testing methods description

• Target: cityscape
• Distance: > 200 meters to center focus point
• Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF. The focus point is on the center only.
• RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px

Scene preview

Test results

Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 aberrations

Vignetting

Geometric distortion

Coma aberrations

Chromatic aberrations

Long-distance bokeh

Minimal distance focus

Test conditions: lens was focused on minimal distance on the scale (0.3m), buildings are on “infinity”-distance.

This is a rare case for real photography but demonstrates the maximum possible level of blur

Medium distance focus

Test conditions: the lens was focused on half distance on the scale (1m), buildings are on “infinity”-distance

Light bubbles bokeh – long distance

The lens is on the minimal focusing distance 0.3m, lights are on infinity (cityscape)

This is a rare case for real photography but demonstrates the maximum possible level of blur

Other resources with reviews:

• theweekendlens.com

Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 – final conclusion

This lens is very close to an ideal and ready for any case – very low aberrations, great resolution, smooth bokeh. Canon FDn 35mm F2.0 (and her elder sister FD 35/2 SSC) is not in vain became one of the most popular 35mm lenses among “those who understand”. It shows great sharpness even if wide open without any noticeable softness. Ready for landscapes from F5.6 and totally sharp over the whole frame at F8. It can draw nice bokeh and good in flare resistance.

I love the feeling and design of the Canon New FD lens line (except the camera-mount construction of course), and this 35/2 is no exclusion – built like a rock. The lens can be easily recommended for the role of one single lens in the bag for photographers who prefer ‘wider than fifty’. Still isn’t overpriced for today and can be meet in auctions, on the other hand, popularity or maybe rarity is growing, so I prefer to don’t call it as the lens which can be found fast for a reasonable price, therefore, I advise you not to delay with the purchase.