35mm for EOS M-5

Looking into an FD 35mm to use on the EOS M-5, my question is...which one?

 

F/2, f/2.8, SSC, nFD, there are a bunch of iterations out there. I'd use it mostly for landscapes and architecture.

 

With all you FD shooters hangin' out here I'm sure someone has done some comparing.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

JD

I have two Canon 35mm lenses: an FL 35mm f/2.5 and an FD 35mm f/2.8 SSC. They're both excellent, although I've always had a soft spot for the FL, mostly cuz it was my first ever 35mm, I suspect. But it is also a very good lens.

 

Since you'll be adapting a Canon manual focus lens for use on your M, the FL represents no more of a hindrance than FD lenses do. Often it can be found on eBay for a bit less than its FD equivalents. But either will work well for you. Expect to pay a premium for the f/2 variant, which, given your subjects, is probably not something you'll use.

Pretty much the way I was leaning. I did find one comparison of the various 35mm variants and his feeling was that the f/2.8 was a bit better optically.

 

Now, just to find a nice one.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your insights.

 

JD

One more comment that might be relevant for you: the older style breechlock FD SSC is noticeably more massive and heavier than the nFD 35/2.8. The nFD version will be more compact as well. Given that you'll be mounting the lens to an M camera, I dunno if weight or compactness is a factor for you, but for many it will be. So the newer one will be a better overall fit than the older. From what I've read, the coatings are the same on the nFD lenses as the SSC ones, Canon just stopped listing "SSC" with the new optical design.

 

But then there's the issue of longevity. The SSC will probably survive the apocalypse, while the nFD probably wouldn't survive a three foot fall to a carpeted floor. Something else to think about.

is it possible to post a picture of the rare FD 2,8/35mm SSC. I know a TS 2,8/35mm SSC (tilt and shift) and a FDn 2,8/35mm (has SSC coating) but I have never seen a FD 2,8/35mm breech lock with SSC engraving. The standard breech lock 35mm was a 3,5 SSC.

Don't have much to add but I owned a FD 35mm f2 breech lock (the lens with the concave front element) for many years and used it on a 1st generation F-1. Good lens but it is very nose heavy, even when used on a brick like F-1, so I would imagine it would feel much more so on a diminutive M-5.

You know what? Never mind about my Canon FD 35mm. I shoot both Canon and Nikon manual focus about equally, and sometimes I get confused as to what I have in which mount. Turns out my "recent" 35mm is a Nikon 35/2.8 AI. Sorry. When it comes to shooting with Canon, I always reach for my FL 35/1.9 first, my Vivitar 35/1.9 second. Edited June 5, 2017 by mwmcbroom

2,8/35mm SSC, are you sure of it. It even does not exist in the Canon Camera Museum View by series - Canon Camera Museum

Hi.

acinos,i have one canon 35mm f2.8 ssc........the TS model.It,s a great lent.

The 35mmf2 is another great lent

In case of m5 which is aps-c size, I recommend for 35f2 instead of 2.8. A stop of that make your bokeh better.

You are using 1.6x with 35f2, you will get 56mm, f2 brightness and f3.2 of bokeh.

In the other hand, with 35f2.8 will get 56mm, f2.8 brightness and 4.48 (let's say 4.5) bokeh.

 

By the way, I own both 35f2 and 35f2.8.

Mounting on apsc seems not so bad, but after I 've got 35f2. I sell 35f2.8 out.

 

Hope this help

Far as that goes, if you really wanted a 35/2.8, you could always buy an adapter for your M-5. Then, depending on the make, you could be shooting with not only a Nikon, but a Pentax, Oly, Minolta, Leica, and/or dozens of others. Ahh, the freedom of shooting with a mirrorless.