Favorite Canon FD portrait lens?

[peterm1]

I have never tried out the 58/1.2, but many of the older standard lenses have character.

Raid, it has character in trumps. I have not tried the 55mm f1.2 which is said to be a superior lens but I can only say that I would certainly not really be inclined to say that the 58mm is deficient in itself, so long as you accept it is an old lens which by its very age and design is intended for character.

In fact I think it is somewhat similar in character to the LTM 50mm f1.2 though the only example of the lens I have has trashed front element coating so is extra low in contrast and flare prone. As is the 58mm though I have never been daunted by that characteristic. Just use a hood as you should anyway with such lenses.

 

[peterm1]

Roger Hicks has suggested that the 58mm focal length is a good one for portraits. I agree. It may only be 8mm, but there’s a significantly different look compared to a 50mm.

I took this pic last fall. A Canon R58/1.2 (same optics as the FL version) on a Leica M240. Wide-open at F1.2. As Raid points out, great character.

Jim B.

Very nice indeed. I wish I could do as good with my copy.

I should say there is one slight "niggle" with this lens other than the point I mentioned below about its problems mounting on some adapters. This lens is essentially a sort of preset lens which requires one to fiddle with two rings - an aperture ring and then a stop down ring, when changing aperture. Somehow this does not bother me with other preset lenses (like those I have on old Takumars) but on this lens it does a little. Mainly because Canon has implemented this feature in what I think to be a slightly clunky and unintuitive way ergonomically speaking. I suppose the answer is to always shoot it wide open :^)

And not a deal breaker in any event

Again. A lovely image from this superb lens. Well done.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Mackinaw, that’s a really nice picture...thank you.

 

[pagpow]

My comment in relation to haze specifically was mainly directed at Canon LTM lenses but I was a bit imprecise in my terminology as I am not sure how long this issue persisted in Canon's lens line. There are lots of threads on the internet about this. But there is also some suggestion that the hazing issue carried over into the FL era at least and maybe beyond into the FD era (However, I have not resolved this to my own satisfaction and merely mention it as a caveat).

Thanks for the clarification, Peter; I was aware of the haze problem with the LTM lenses, especially some of the last all-black models, so the mention of it that seemed to focus early FD ones struck me as new and I thought I'd check it out. Appreciate the detailed response.

Giorgio

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Took the 85/1.8 to the state fair...I like it! A boon to birds and people both.