What really is the difference between Canon FD 50mm 1.4 & 1.8?

[Sid836]

Thanks for the link.

Also, does anyone remember a test of like 50 50mm lenses and comparisons? I seem to remember reading it but can't find anything on the internet or in Google searches. It was pretty comprehensive if I remember correctly.

Are you talking about this:
http://www.verybiglobo.com/50mm-f1-4-legacy-lenses-shootout-wide-open/

 

[Sid836]

The worst was the 50mm f1.8 FDn lens, the plastic newer one that came with the AE-1 and similar cameras. I still have an older 50mm f1.8 S.C. lens that came on a Canon TX, and that is quite a bit better than the plastic FDn version. But I still think a 50mm f1.4 S.S.C. lens would be best.

Best,
-Tim

FDns may be plastic, but by no means lesser than the FDs (breechlock) unless you are going to go banging nails with it.

Also, the FDn 1.4 is better than the 1.4 SSC by quite a bit. I have them both and I mostly use the FDn on my new F-1 because it is sharper.
Look some test here:
http://www.verybiglobo.com/50mm-f1-4-legacy-lenses-shootout-wide-open/

 

[Timmyjoe]

I don't put much faith in lens tests of older film camera lenses when they are tested on digital, crop sensor cameras. Yes, that test will show you how each lens performs on a digital, crop sensor camera, but sorry, it doesn't tell you how those same lenses perform with 35mm film. And I shoot my old film camera lenses on old film cameras and 35mm film.

 

[expwmbat]

On digital I found a noticeable difference between the FDn 50/1.8 and the FDn 50/1.4. My 1.4 is sharper at 1.4 than the 1.8 was at 1.8 or 2.0, and got further ahead as it is stopped down. The FDn 50/1.4 is a really really sharp lens, equalling the Zeiss 50/2 Planar in a bunch of comparisons I've seen (on digital). It pairs well with my Sonnar, as I then have two 50s with different strengths--for landscapes it's amazing how much sharper it is.

DJK

 

[Sid836]

I don't put much faith in lens tests of older film camera lenses when they are tested on digital, crop sensor cameras. Yes, that test will show you how each lens performs on a digital, crop sensor camera, but sorry, it doesn't tell you how those same lenses perform with 35mm film. And I shoot my old film camera lenses on old film cameras and 35mm film.

The lens spec requirements of current digital sensors are much higher compared to those of 135 film and tests like these are quite subjective.
Specifically to these lenses, even on film I get a lot sharper results when I use the FDn and the SSC 1.4 on film too. And both copies of the 1.4 I own are like new.