Best Canon FD Lenses [2024 Review]

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Photography brings an unmatched pleasure to those who love it, doesn’t it?

The trick to the most satisfactory photography is to have the right tools. So, you have to put together a reliable photography kit, which includes the necessary lenses.

An FD lens is a must, too, and we will discuss what makes it so important in this article. We will also present you with detailed reviews of the best options available in this category. 

Review of the Best Canon FD Lenses

In order to select the right Canon FD lens, you need to examine the best options available, right? So, here is a complete review of the top Canon FD lenses to help you with your choice.

Brand
Canon
Canon
Canon
Product
Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 Zoom Lens
Canon FD 35-105 mm F/3.5-4.5 MF MACRO Zoom...
Canon Lens FD 28mm 1:2.8
Aperture
70-210mm
35-105mm
28mm
Focal Length
f/4.0
f/3.5-4.5
1:2.8
Brand
Canon
Product
Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 Zoom Lens
Aperture
70-210mm
Focal Length
f/4.0
Brand
Canon
Product
Canon FD 35-105 mm F/3.5-4.5 MF MACRO Zoom...
Aperture
35-105mm
Focal Length
f/3.5-4.5
Brand
Canon
Product
Canon Lens FD 28mm 1:2.8
Aperture
28mm
Focal Length
1:2.8

Best Canon FD Zoom Lens: Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 Zoom Lens

Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 Zoom Lens

PROS

  • Zooming ratio is at 3 times
  • Easily portable due to its sleek design
  • Minimum focus distance is at 0.44 meter
  • Telephoto lens with high optical performance
  • High compatibility with every Canon FD mount camera

CONS

  • No lens hood on it
  • Weight can cause hand fatigue
  • Slight chromatic aberration is there

What Recent Buyers Report

The people who invested in this lens recently had a very nice user experience mostly. They reported a greater shutter speed with an aperture of f/4.0. The zoom ratio is quite impressive too. The users could zoom up to 3X, and they loved it.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 Zoom Lens catches our eye with its extensive focal length range of 70 to 210 mm. This allows users to try to put different modes of photography both indoors and outdoors. The minimum focus distance of 0.44 meters helps with the focus as well.

Who Will Use This Most

This is made for people who are professional photographers and need to work in different light conditions. The aperture is wide enough to give it a good low light performance too. Moreover, its sleek build is easy to handle while you are working. 

Bottom Line

The final word on it is that it is the best FD lens that you can get for your Canon camera. It goes well with both micro and macro lens supporting cameras. So, you will have a great time using it and polishing your skills.

Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 Zoom Lens
  • Medium telephoto to full telephoto
  • Offers more than above average optical performances and easy portability
  • Compatible with all Canon manual focus film cameras that accept FD-mount lenses

Best Canon FD Macro Lens: Canon FD 35-105mm F3.5 MF

Canon FD 35-105 mm F/3.5-4.5 MF MACRO Zoom...

PROS

  • Aperture width is f/3.5
  • Zoom type of the lens is macro
  • Diverse focal length from 35 to 105 mm
  • Lens cover to protect from dust and pollutants
  • Good vertical, horizontal and diagonal angles of view

CONS

  • Shutter closure has moderate speed
  • More expensive than other comparable alternatives

What Recent Buyers Report

The lens has impressed its buyers so much that they want to buy more of them. They find the 5.5 x 3.6 x 2.9 inches dimensions very practical. The size makes it easy to carry around and even easier to mount on a camera. They also liked the stylish black design of the lens. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

We like this lens due to its angles of view the most. The horizontal, vertical, and diagonal angles are all so easy to handle and help you take perfect shots. We like its safety features, too, which help the users take comfort in its long life span. 

Who Will Use This Most

This is the best choice for people who are into outdoor photography. Its cover prevents dust and pollutants from entering the lens. It also helps in protecting from scratches, so it is great for adventure-loving photographers too. 

Bottom Line

To sum up, this lens clearly deserves to be the runner-up on our list. The appearance, as well as functionality, are up to the mark for even professional photographers. So, we assure you that you will not regret investing in it.

Canon FD 35-105 mm F/3.5-4.5 MF MACRO Zoom...
  • Lens Construction (group) 13
  • Lens Construction (element) 15
  • No. of Diaphragm Blades 5

Best Canon FD Wide Angle Lens and Best for the Money: Canon Lens FD 28mm 1:2.8

Canon Lens FD 28mm 1:2.8

PROS

  • Focal length of 28 mm
  • Center point has a sharp focus
  • Focus ring of the lens is very smooth
  • Quite handy at the weight of 2.35 pounds
  • Good for videography due to steady orientation

CONS

  • Edges of the images sometimes get blurry
  • Sharpness of images is not up to the mark

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers of this product found its price to be unbelievably low. They reported having been shocked by its quality, which outweighs its price. They liked its size the most as it is very easy to handle. The dimensions of 9 x 8 x 4.9 inches make users want to recommend it to others. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

It grabs our attention with its lightweight body, which weighs only 2.35 pounds. The focal length is also great at 28 mm, which goes well with videos. We like it for the steady orientation that it provides. This makes it perfect for outdoor shooting as well.

Who Will Use This Most

The Canon Lens FD 28mm 1:2.8 is most useful for people who are into filmmaking. It is steady enough to provide balanced shots. There are hardly ever any shaky camera angles, which makes using it easier. The focus ring is also smooth and helps you get better detailing of the subject. 

Bottom Line

All in all, it is an amazing lens with the right price and features. It is great for both photography and videography as it has such a good focal length and central focus. So, you must add it to your photography kit if you are on the prowl for a quality experience.

Best Canon FD 35mm Lens: Canon FD 35mm f/2.8

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PROS

  • Safety case included
  • Quick shutter closure for more clarity
  • Super Spectra coating for better safety
  • More brightness due to a wide aperture
  • F/2.8 aperture is good for all kinds of photography

CONS

  • Quite heavy at 7.2 pounds

What Recent Buyers Report

People who bought this lens recently gave very positive reviews about it. They absolutely love the wide-angle, which allows them to capture nature in its lovely form. The buyers found the focal length to be great too. 35mm is one of the most commonly used focal length values.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This makes it to our list because of its focal length and aperture width. Just like its focal length, the aperture width allows for a variety in photography. The f/2.8 suits all kinds of indoor and outdoor conditions, so there is no problem with it.

Who Will Use This Most

The Canon FD 35mm f/2.8 is most suitable for people who want to have a high-end FD lens. It lets a lot of light through the aperture and has remarkable brightness. This makes it ideal for those who want to try their hand at night photography. 

Bottom Line

The bottom line on this one is that it has very attractive features at a great price. It fits almost every new and old Canon lens with an FD mount type. It is especially good for vintage lenses, so no matter which camera you have, you will love it.

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Best Canon FD 50mm Lens: Canon 50mm f/1.4 FD

Canon 50mm f/1.4 FD Manual Focus Lens

PROS

  • Shiny black body looks cool
  • Optics are very clean and clear
  • High compatibility with micro lens cameras
  • Price is very affordable for such high quality
  • Practical frame with 6.1 x 3.9 x 3.7 inches dimensions

CONS

  • Bokeh is not creamy enough
  • Markings on the lens are difficult to read

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers reported having a great time using this lens. They loved it for the way it adjusts to all new and old FD cameras by Canon. They also liked it for its aperture type, which brings clarity to images. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

This lens stands out to us because of its simple and practical construction. The dimensions are 6.1 x 3.9 x 3.7 inches, which makes storing and using it feels like a breeze. It also has high usability with microlenses, so its weight can be compensated.

Who Will Use This Most

This is most useful for those who have a micro Canon camera instead of a DSLR. It is quite heavy at a weight of 11.2 ounces. This can lead to wrist fatigue if you are using a heavy camera with it. So, it is most helpful for you if you pair it with a lightweight camera.

Bottom Line

In our opinion, this is as low as the price can go without any compromise on the quality of the lens. Everything from focal length to aperture width and its appearance is exceptional. This is why purchasing it should be a simple and easy decision on your part.

Canon 50mm f/1.4 FD Manual Focus Lens
  • Compatible with all Canon FD-Mount Manual Focus Cameras such as AE-1
  • Manual Focus Only. It will not auto focus on any camera.
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture

Comparison of the Best Canon FD Lenses

What is an FD Lens?

An FD lens is a lens that does not have autofocus in it. Rather, it has a full-time manual focusing motor and mechanisms in it. It connects with the aperture of your camera well, but it does so with the help of a manual connection. They are placed at a distance of about 42 mm away from the film or sensor. 

canon fd lens

Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 Zoom Lens

Images taken with an FD lens tend to have poorer focus and detail, but optical correction helps with these. So, you need to have an FD lens if you want to configure things manually; they give you more room for editing and trying different camera angles as well. 

When Should I Use an FD Lens?

Using an FD lens does not require any specific conditions. You can use them for pretty much all kinds of photography as long as you know your way through a camera. Still, here are some of the most common uses of an FD lens:

Nature Photography

FD lenses are great for nature photography as they take in the landscape as a whole. This helps in bringing attention to the image on the whole rather than some specific parts. This, along with the brightness capability of FD lenses, makes them great for nature photography. 

Bokeh

FD lenses have an amazing bokeh. The texture of the bokeh is dreamy enough to make the images look aesthetic. This is also because of the way it focuses on the subject, and the background merges into the bokeh. 

bokeh effect

Night Photography

FD lenses are great for night photography as they have a better low-light performance. The subjects are in clear focus, even when they are at a distance. This is because of the way they capture maximum light in them.

Portraits

FD lenses are quite useful when it comes to taking close-up shots. They give you enough space to try out different angles, and you can customize their settings easily too. 

What to Look For When Buying a Canon FD Lens

A Canon FD lens is not hard to choose since there are no complex details to these lenses. Still, you need to be careful of some aspects before buying them.

Aperture

The aperture width of the lens matters a lot as it affects the brightness and shutter speed. The wider the lens, the greater the amount of light that enters it. The clarity of images increases with the increase in aperture width too. 

Focal Length

Another important factor that you need to keep in mind is the focal length of the lens. Since there is no autofocus in these lenses, the focal length has to be reliable. This way, you can adjust the focus even if zooming is not supported. 

Construction Quality

The construction quality of an FD lens matters as well because you need to be sure of reliable use when you invest in something. So, make sure that the lens elements have the proper size and fitting. 

Light Dispersion

Light dispersion is something that can totally ruin an image and lead to user dissatisfaction. This is why you have to avoid it at all costs. Thus, you have to choose an FD lens that has minimal chromatic aberration in it. 

Pros and Cons of FD Lenses

FD lenses have been around for a long, long time, and they keep serving photographers loyally. You get many perks from using these lenses, but there are some minor drawbacks too. So, let’s have a look at them to get a clearer picture. 

Pros

Let’s first have a look at the positive aspects of these lenses:

Diversity in Photography

The best thing about FD lenses is that they offer you a diverse range of photography. You can use these for landscape photography, portraiture, and even wedding photography. They also enable you to play around with positioning and angles, further broadening the horizon for you.

Best for Vintage Cameras

Vintage cameras almost always have an FD lens mount type. They just do not have anything to adjust EF lenses on them. So, if you have an old camera or a vintage version, then an FD lens is the right choice for you. 

Polishes Skills

As personalization and photography are primarily manual, it makes you learn more. Photographers have to rely on their skills while using these lenses, so they get to sharpen them a lot. 

Cons

The drawbacks of such lenses include:

Lesser Zoom

Manual cameras lack autofocus and also do not have any active zooming. This can be a problem if you want to focus on tiny details in a subject. 

Manual Configuration Only

While it is true that an FD lens uses only manual configuration, it is not that big of an issue. The people who get this already know this, and they want it for this reason primarily. 

People Also Ask

Buyers of FD lenses are happy with these. But those who haven’t used an FD lens previously are still hesitant about it. They have much confusion regarding these, and this makes it hard for them to choose one. Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding these products. 

What is the Difference Between EF and FD Lenses?

EF and FD lenses are different in both their mounting and functioning. EF (electric focus) lenses have electrical components to connect them with the camera. But the FD lenses need manual elements to help them connect with the film. The electric focus lenses have autofocus, but the FD ones do not.

Do Canon FD Lenses Fit EF Mount?

Yes, Canon FD lenses fit EF mount, but they need an adapter for this. The adapter is quite cost-effective, and it fits the lens on the mount perfectly. The electric components of the EF mount will not be up for use, but you can make do with the lens. 

Are FD Lenses Full Frame?

Yes, FD lenses are full-frame as they have been in use for decades. They were there for all Canon cameras until 20 years ago. Still, many cameras by Canon have FD lens mount type by default, which makes these lenses reliable. 

Will Canon FD Lenses Work on EOS?

Well, people might have told you that you need an FD mount type for these lenses only, but this is simply not true. Your Canon FD lenses can work on EOS as well. You need an adapter to connect the lens with the sensors of the EOS-based camera. 

Conclusion

To give a quick wrap-up, FD lenses are something that every photographer needs to have. They can help you in multiple situations and improve your photography skills. So, it is wise to get one and practice all the new techniques that you have lately been meaning to work on.