Canon FD vs SSC help

[jkjod]

I'm thinking of the Canon FD 20 2.8 and I see that there is a "newer" version that is all black and another "older" version that has the chrome towards the lens mount - I'm guessing there isn't much difference, but I'm not really sure. Are there any real differences between the two optics wise? Thanks in advance.

You can see the "newer" version on top and the "older" version I am referring to on the bottom.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/fdlenses/20mm.htm

Jordan

 

[rlouzan]

Hi Jordan,

I own the FD20mm f2.8 a good lens but not nearly as sharp as the FD35-20mm f3.5 L. Diffraction start at f5.6
The vast majority of filters touch the front element 'so be careful' + the lens hood is close to useless.
The FD lenses and older chrome ring lenses/SSC/SC (breech-lock ring) are the same optically, but Multi-coating has been improved. The back lens caps, FD vs chrome ring, are also non interchangeable.

Regards,
Robert

 

[sevo]

SSC is "Super Spectral Coating" - the best AR coating of the Canon FL/FD period. It was carried over to the first half decade of FD mount lenses, but eventually got replaced. FL mount were mechanically superior, but many lenses received optical improvements in the FD age - at the very least by replacing the SSC coating with a more modern multicoating.

Much like with Nikon K vs. AI generation lenses, some Canon users refuse to accept that some things did get improved, and tend to pay extra for the SSC version (even for the FD SSC version, which has the new - arguably more plasticky - mechanics and the old formula)...

 

[Dwig]

...the FD SSC version, which has the new - arguably more plasticky - mechanics and the old formula ...

There are 3 different "FD" barrel/mount versions in addition to the original R and the FL versions. All of these use the same mounting flange on the body:

• R - original Canon reflex mount, breach lock (big chrome ring) mounting. Semi-auto diaphragm with one level to trigger closing and a second for the body to reopen the iris when film is wound. These don't mount on "FD" class bodies.
• FL - breach lock and full-auto diaphragm but no meter coupling so stop down metering only
• FD - breach lock, full-auto diaphragm and meter coupling for full aperture metering.
• FDn - same as FD except there is now a lock on the green auto position on the f/stop ring, the green position is now labeled "A" instead of with a green circle, the breach lock ring now locks in the open position until mated with a body or rear lens cap. Very little, if any, plastic was used in the barrel construction of these and earlier versions.
• NewFD - abandons the breach lock ring and the whole lens barrel rotates making it functionally a bayonet mount instead of breach lock. Plastic is now used in the barrel construction, though the amount varies from lens to lens.

SSC, Canon's original multicoating, began in the late "FD" period and became common to universal in the "FDn" period and the designation was eventually left off of the lens markings.

 

[x-ray]

I had the SSC 20 and 24. The 20 wasn't very good but the 24 was much better. The 20 was only sharp in the center.

 

[jkjod]

Thanks for the info everyone, really appreciate it!

Jordan

 

[raid]

I have the 24/2.8. It was my workhorse for over 20 years. I loved it for landscapes.
For a wide angle FD lens, I prefer most the 17/4. It has no distortion. I have been using it for some time now on my M8.

 

[Bille]

Thanks for the info everyone, really appreciate it!

Jordan

No one mentioned the Canon Camera Museum yet.

The SSC is a 10 elements in 9 groups design, weighing 345g (http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/lens/fd/data/17-35/fd_20_28_ssc.html) the new FD seems to have the same optical formula at 305g (http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/lens/nfd/data/fisheye-35/nfd_20_28.html). All new FD lenses are multicoated ("SSC").

The older breech-lock designs (chrome ring) are generally mechanically superior. Optical performance is usually a bit better on the latest "new FD" lenses.

 

[rlouzan]

+ The Canon 20mm f2.8 suffers from light transmission problems. If you use a hand held light meter, exposure must be compensated by +1/2 f/stop.