9.0
10
9.3

Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C.

Year 1973
Lens Groups 5
Lens Element 7
Aperature Blades 8
Minimum Aperture f/16
Closest Focusing 0.6 m
Max. Magnifcation 1:9.2 (0.109x)
Filter Size 58 mm
Diameter x Length 75.8 x 52.5 mm
Weight 510 gr (1.12 lb)
Hood BS-58
Write Review
2019-03-14

MarkB

IQ
9.0
Build
10.0
9.3
Build quality, bokeh, color, sharp stopped-down
Resistance to flare, bokeh, fringe

This one has been in my collection of classic 50's for a couple of years and is a favorite. While it doesn't capture the same level of attention as some of the other more renown 50's, it's still a ton of fun to use. The build quality is beyond reproach, nothing buy metal and glass, the thing just feels solid. Wide open, there is a glow due to low contrast and resolution or some other aberrations I'm not really qualified to talk about - this definitely gives the photos a vintage look to them. Stop the lens down a bit and image will become sharp and contrasty enough for most - actually kind of fun to have this much variability in a lens. Colors are fantastic and saturated, but the lens does B&W quite well too. Bokeh is of the bubble variety and can be distracting at times if there is a busy out-of-focus background (like a bunch of trees) when you are focusing on something at mid or longer distance. For closer distances, the bokeh is quite buttery particularly when using a close-focus adaptor or extension tube. If you're looking at getting into these old manual lenses and want that fast aperture this one won't disappoint, at around $350 for a good copy, this might be your ticket. I have several Flickr albums dedicated to Canon's old lenses - here is the location for this beauty!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/83792268@N03/albums/72157662474029203