| Year | 1979 |
| Lens Groups | 5 |
| Lens Element | 6 |
| Aperature Blades | 5 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Closest Focusing | 0.35 m |
| Max. Magnifcation | 1:7.7 (0.13x) |
| Filter Size | 52 mm |
| Diameter x Length | 63 x 40 mm |
| Weight | 165 gr (0.36 lb) |
| Hood | BW-52A |
This is a lens with astonishing properties when used with a Sony A7 full frame camera : sharpness and contrast are already very satisfying even in the far corners of the image and wide open and the lens is very light and compact. Vignetting is low while distorsion is a little bit high for a fixed focal lens of this type. The multi coating is pretty efficient against the light. This lens feels a little bit plasticky but this is a caracteristic it shares with most lenses of the New FD line. Nethertheless it seems quite sturdy.
Another typical FDn lens, built of plastic but in every other way a nice little lens.
Although not spectacular, this seems a bit better than most 35mm f/2.8 lenses, and it does well wide open. The close focus is certainly a nice feature.
My particular copy of this lens has a rather stiff aperture ring, but I don't know why and I suspect it is a problem unique to my copy. It looks like there is some dirt around the aperture ring; perhaps some got under it? Anyway, I'm not lowering the build rating for this issue.
nFD 35/2.8 is lighter than any other FD Lenses (Only 165g!). Also, it has general purpose focal length & satisfactory image quality.
If you want to bring FD-mount camera everyday, nFD 35/2.8 is the best choice.
A real sleeper in the new FD line, a joy on a light A-series body. These can be had for $25 these days. A very underestimated lens, one of my carry-arounds.