Canon FDn 35mm 1:2.0 vs Minolta MD 35mm 1:1.8 – comparison

Canon FDn 35mm 1:2.0 vs Minolta MD 35mm 1:1.8 – comparison

  • Canon New FD 35mm 1:2.0 (nFD)
  • Minolta MD 35mm 1:1.8 (MD III)

The 35mm focal distance is in second place after ‘fifties’ by popularity and it makes the fighting for ‘the best 35mm lens’ award is very important. Additionally, this pair of fast 35mm – Minolta MD and Canon FDn – are very well known as great performers and have a legendary status lenses. It’s strange to me that I can’t find head-to-head comparisons on the internet. So, let’s do it.

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Canon FDn 50mm 1:1.2 vs Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.2 – comparison

Canon FDn 50mm 1:1.2 vs Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.2 – comparison

  • Canon FDn 50mm 1:1.2 (New-FD)
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.2 (MD III)

This comparison is very important for the honor of both manufacturing companies. Mostly for Canon, because they are alive. What about Minolta – they are dead and have nothing to lose, you know.

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Canon FDn 50mm 1:1.4 vs Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 – comparison

Minolta and Canon – 50mm 1:1.4 lenses comparison:

  • Canon New-FD 50mm 1:1.4
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 (MD III)

I consider this article to be my most serious attempt to answer the question – which 50mm F1.4 lens is better – Canon New FD or Minolta MD.
There are many such comparisons on the Internet. But not one of the known for me does not satisfy me. The reasons are different: some have been made on a crop camera, some compare 58mm lens with a 50mm lens from the same distance, some compare Canon New FD with Minolta Old MC. Someone simply makes mistakes in focusing or does not keep in mind the field curvature. Or performs the tests at a distance of 50 cm and in the center only.

But this is a very important comparison. The fact is that such lenses, 50/1.4 – are the main point of the product lines for all serious companies. Having the best fast fifty in a production line can be named as ‘companies honor’. Even for today. As you can see, I understand responsibility.

Regarding Canon FDn 50/1.4 and Minolta MD 50/1.4: both lenses are very similar. Flange focal distance is 41.9mm for Canon and 43.50mm for Minolta. Both are from the last product lines of the pre-autofocus era. Both were in production at the same time. Both have the same schemes – 7 elements in 6 groups, ‘planars’. Both even look similar. Prices on auctions are very close.. Etc. OK, let’s do the comparison

This comparison is correct only for conditions and equipment used for tests. Test results can differ if any element is changed.
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