FL 58mm 1:1.2 - keep or sell?

<p>I recently obtained, literally for nothing ("you collect this sort of old garbage, do you?") an FX in fine cosmetic and fully working conditions (meter included). Fair enough, but the camera came with a FL 58mm 1:1.2 lens which needless to say made the throwaway particularly attractive.<br>

<br />I have been sporadically using the lens on my various FD-mount Canons, of course in SD mode which don't bother me that much. But now the question: should I sell it and re-invest the returns in the purchase of a similar FD lens, or are there historical significance reasons that would rather suggest I should keep it?<br>

Your comments would be appreciated.</p>

 

<p>I've had a couple of these lenses, and two FX, so here's my experience.<br>

The FX camera itself is sturdy and reliable. However, there are two potential problems. One is the foam that was packed around the prism, under the housing. With time, it can pull the silver off the prism. It takes a long time to find an FX with an intact prism. If you do find one, get it to a serviceperson to remove that deadly foam. Otherwise you see black patches on the lateral edges of the finder image, where the silver is gone.</p>

<p>The FX winding gear is susceptible to jamming. Easiest way to jam it is to not fully wind it, or to fire it at a slow shutter speed such as 1 second, then try to wind it before the shutter is fully closed.</p>

<p>The meter scale shifts with the shutter speed dial. This shifting is by a silken cord running from the shutter to the meter. Check to be sure that the meter scale is still working when you change shutter speeds.</p>

<p>As for the lens, it is the earliest of the FL mount fast lenses. It has a radioactive element, so it may be yellowed. This can be corrected by UV exposure.<br>

There is only one guide pin, so the lens sometimes feels a bit rough when focusing.<br>

This lens is susceptible to grease migration from the focusing helical into the diaphragm. This will seize the diaphragm, so that it no longer works. This is usually why the lens needs to be serviced.<br>

Image wise, it is reasonably sharp in the center at f/1.2. The bokeh is quite unique for this lens.<br>

Stopped down to about f/4, it is a good lens.</p>

<p>Given that it is a specialized lens (as all f/1.2 and faster lenses <em>necessarily</em> are), I'd keep it and use it when I needed that razor-thin DoF or light gathering ability.</p>

<p>All the more so, if you have other "normal" lenses for your FD-mount cameras.</p>

<p>Unless you are really into film, why not buy a Sony A7, buy an adapter and use the lens that way?</p>

<p>Not everybody has an extra $1600 or so laying around to buy an A7, so I recommend you continue to use your 58mm as you've been doing. I have an FL 55mm f/1.2 and, from the comparisons I've seen, there really isn't much difference between the two lenses. And I find mine to be acceptably sharp wide open, so yeah, I'd just continue with it.</p>

<p>Many thanks for the useful comments. As you all suggested, I will keep and occasionally use it.</p>