85mm 1.8, which one?

I've been looking at purchasing the 85mm 1.8 on ebay and wanted to know what the

difference is between it and the SSC version. On www.mir.com it says about the

New FD 85mm "stress was placed on enhancing this lens' full aperture

capabilities." I like that idea.

 

Should I go for the New FD version?

The only caveat to BL mounts is that if overtightened they can jam on the body.

BL lenses usually heavier & sometimes take 55mm filters & hoods. Usually sell

for less than the New FD versions.

The two generations of the 85mm f1.8 both have S.S.C. coating and both have the same optical formula. And from what I can tell exactly the same "Character"

 

If I were you I would buy the one that matches your other lenses mount style.

 

I use all nFD unless for reasons of availability or Cost I have to use the older mount.

 

That is mostly so that if in the middle of something like a wedding I don't have to think about how to swap a lens I just put the next one on the way the other one came off.

 

Out of the FD 38 lenses I have the following lenses I have with the Older Breech ring mount.

 

35mm f2.0 Chrome Nose

 

35mm f2.8 nFD T&S

 

35mm f3.5 S.C. (part of my first Canon System)

 

55mm f1.2 Chrome Nose and

 

100mm f2.8 S.S.C. (part of my first Canon System)

 

135mm f2.5 S.C.

 

500mm f4.5L S.S.C.

 

I never use the 35mm f3.5 and 100mm f2.8 (they are basically just on display)

Alex...another advantage to the newer FD mount is when mounted on the New F1 (3rd version) body. When using the AE viewfinder, you can see the aperture setting in the viewfinder. Older FD (breech lock) still works fine on the camera, but the aperture setting isn't visible

I've used both versions, and ended up keeping the new-FD 85mm f/1.8 - it was much sharper wide open, for some reason. The breechlock lens also had a stiffer focusing ring, which made it more difficult to use (this was just on my sample, so don't expect them all to be the same).

My 85 is the f/1.8 New FD lens. I like it. For comparison I also have an 85/1.8 Konica Hexanon and an 85/2 AI Nikkor. Those are nice too. If the light is good I will use a 100/2.8 instead. The Canon 100mm lenses I have are a 100/3.5 FL, two 100/2.8 chrome front FD, a 100/2.8 FD SSC and a 100/2.8 New FD. I'm not a fan of very shallow depth of field for portraits but an f/1.8 lens can help when you are shooting in low light with more distant subjects.

I like the 85 f1.8 FDn's small size, wide aperure and fairly light weight. It's often a companion to the 35mm or 28 as a minimal trip kit. It shines for isolating parts of a landscape, close-ups (esp w about 25mm of extension) and portraits. I find it very sharp at middle apertures. My particular sample, like the one Gary Reese tested, is a poster child for pincushion distortion. Horizontal architectual lines at top or bottom look like a skateboard ramp (OK, exaggerated). For most of my uses, this distortion is not a problem.

I've got a sharp, contrasty breechlock 85. Not having any experience shooting the FDn version, I can tell you that the breechlock does have superb wide-open capabilities, and either lens would be a good investment. I never regretted buying mine.