Canon FD 35mm f/2

Among wide-angle lenses the focal length of 35mm is difficult to classify. It is neither a true normal lens, nor does it offer a particularly wide angle of view. It is no less a lens of great character, and has a uniquely photojournalistic look, especially in black and white. In the Leica M range, the 35mm lens has always been extremely popular.

The Canon FD 35mm f/2.0 lens came in a number of variations over the years, as summarised below.

Breech-Lock Mount

version 1 - black bayonet mount, concave front element, min aperture f/16

version 2 - black bayonet mount, concave front element, SSC Coating, min aperture f/16

version 3 - chrome bayonet mount, concave front element, SSC Coating, min aperture f/16

version 4 - chrome bayonet mount, convex front element, SSC Coating, min aperture f/22

Bayonet Mount

version 5 - all black, convex front element, Standard New FD coating, min aperture f/22

Sharpness at Cost

The f/16 versions of the lens had some optics which contained the radioactive element Thorium. It has been argued countless times that the older Thorium lenses were sharper side-to-side and at all apertures than any subsequent version. This seems to be due to a superior optical design thanks to the use of the Thorium elements, but may also be related to the fact that the glass turned yellow over time, thus giving the lens a sort of built-in yellow filter. Yellow filters tend to increase contrast in a wide range of lighting and subject conditions when used in black and white photography. This has led to them being very popular, but prices have been kept reasonable due to fears that the lenses' radioactive elements may not be safe. Due to the yellow colour cast of the older lenses these have become unpopular for colour photography.