Canon FD Lens Test

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New Canon 50mm f 1.2

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New FD 24mm f/2.8 Lens

Copyright 2000-2001 by Gary Reese
e-mail: pcacala@earthlink.net
Midwest Biosurveys, Las Vegas, NV USA

Updated: April 6, 2001

Note on tests: Mirror and diaphragm prefire indicates that the mirror was raised and the lens stopped down well prior to exposure, thus controlling two of the three major vibration sources in an SLR. For comparisons to Olympus OM System lenses, manual focus-able point and shoot cameras with adjustable exposure controls and other competing SLR camera manufacturer lenses (esp. Nikon and Minolta), see: Olympus OM lens tests

NOTES

• All tests photographed at a 1:40 magnification ratio, on Fujichrome 64T (original type) film.
• Test subject: Grand Canyon National Park USGS topographic map (1 to 1 2/3 stop underexposure from a grey card reading).
• Subjective quality factor style grades are relative, with A+ = best, then B, C, D, and F (worst); differences are significant across full letter grades only (unless a paired comparison was made - as noted). Corner grades are measured at 66% out from center and are less rigorous than center grades.
• Evaluations made at 24X projection magnification through a Rollei-Vario-Projar 70-120mm lens at ca. 100 mm focal length.
• Vignetting (a.k.a. light falloff) grades:
  A = none
  B = noticeable, but minor
  C = apparent and intrusive
  D = unacceptable.

An A+ grade for centers and corners is set to the performance of an Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Zuiko Macro at f/8.
A = "Tack sharp" professional grade images with great enlarging or projection capability. Approx. 20x30" or larger print size capability.
B = Very good images that will satisfy all but the most discerning users; projected image quality is indistinguishable from an A grade at normal viewing distances. Approx. 11x17" enlargement capability.
C = "Soft" images that cannot withstand much enlargement - suitable for snapshot quality images (5x7").
D = "Smudged" with obvious image defects in even small degrees of enlargement, not suitable for most users (only 3.5x5").
F = unacceptable image for any type of use, lacks detail, only conveys shapes.

Canon FD 20mm f/2.8 S.S.C.

Canon EF with mirror and aperture prefire
Vignetting = C @ f/2.8, B @ f/4, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = waveform

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2.8     B-        C+
f/4       B+        B
f/5.6     B+        A-
f/8       A-        B+
f/11      A-        A-
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B

Notes: Moderately low contrast images at f/2.8; moderate contrast images at f/4 and f/16 to f/22; moderately high contrast images at f/5.6 and f/11; high contrast images at f/8.

Canon FD 24mm f/2 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and aperture prefire
Vignetting = C @ f/2, B @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4, A thereafter
Distortion = slight waveforming with slight barrel tendency

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2*      B         C
f/2       B         C+
f/2.8     A-        B
f/4       A         B+
f/5.6     A+        A-
f/8       A         B+
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B         B
f/22      B-        B-

Notes: * = tested with a Promaster 1A filter. Moderate contrast images at f/2 (with and without filter) through f/4; moderately high contrast images at f/5.6 through f/22.

Canon FD 24mm f/2.8 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = B- @ f/2.8, B+ @ f/4, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2.8     C         C
f/4       B         B
f/5.6     A-        B+
f/8       A-        B
f/11      B+        B+
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/2.8; moderately high contrast at f/4; high contrast at f/5.6 to f/22.

Canon FD 28mm f/2 breech mount, S.S.C.

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = C @ f/2, B @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4 & f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = slight barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2       C         C
f/2.8     A         B-
f/4       A         B+
f/5.6     A-        B+
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      A-        B
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B+        B

Note: high contrast at f/2.8 and f/22; moderate contrast at f/2.

Canon FD 28mm f/2 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = C+ @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8 and f/4; A thereafter
Distortion = waveform with moderate barrel tendency

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2       B         C+
f/2.8     B+        B-
f/4       A-        B+
f/5.6     B+        A-
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B         B
f/22      B-        B

Note: moderate contrast images at f/16 to f/22; high contrast images at f/2.8 to f/4; very high contrast at f/2 (perhaps from underexposure) and f/5.6 to f/11.

Canon FD 28mm f/2.8 S.C. breech mount

Canon F-1 with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = B @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2.8     A-        B
f/4       A-        B+
f/5.6     A-        A-
f/8       B+        A
f/11      A-        A-
f/16      B         B
f/22      B+        B+

Note: high contrast at all apertures.

Canon FD 28mm f/2.8 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = B- @ f/2.8, B+ @ f/4, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = pronounced barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2.8     B+        B
f/4       A-        B
f/5.6     A-        B
f/8       A         A-
f/11      A-        B+
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B
<pre>
Note: high contrast at f/2.8; very high contrast at f/4 to f/16; moderately high contrast at f/22.
==Canon FD 28-55mm f/3.5~4.5==
Canon AE-1 with self timer only
===@ 28mm setting<br>===
Vignetting = B- @ f/3.5<br>
Distortion = pronounced barrel<br>
<pre>
Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B         B
f/5       A-        A-
f/7       A-        A-
f/10      B+        A-
f/14.5    B+        B+
f/20      B         B

Notes: low contrast @ f/3.5, moderately low @ f/5, moderate @ f/10; overall high resolution at the expense of contrast.

@ 43mm setting

Vignetting = A- @ f/4
Distortion = none

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4.0     A-        B+
f/5.6     B+        B
f/8       B+        B
f/11      A-        B+
f/16      A-        B+
f/22      B         B

Note: moderate contrast throughout.

@ 55mm setting

Vignetting = B @ f/4.5
Distortion = moderate pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4.5     B         B
f/6.3     B         B
f/9       B+        B
f/12.5    B+        B+
f/18      B         B+
f/25      B         B+

Note: moderate contrast; difficult to determine actual shooting aperture; effective focal length at long end is approximately 52mm.

Canon FD 28-85mm f/4

Canon AE-1 with self-timer

@ 28mm setting

Vignetting = D @ f/4, B- @ f/5.6, B+ @ f/8
Distortion = pronounced barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4       B-        B-
f/5.6     B+        B+
f/8       B+        A-
f/11      A-        A-
f/16      B+        B+
f/22      B+        B

Notes: moderately high contrast, outperformed by the 28-55mm Canon FD at this focal length.

@ 35mm setting

Vignetting = B @ f/4, B+ @ f/5.6
Distortion = moderate barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4.0     B         B-
f/5.6     B+        B+
f/8       A-        A-
f/11      A-        A-
f/16      A-        B+
f/22      B+        B

Note: moderately high contrast throughout.

@ 85mm setting

Vignetting = B+ @ f/4, A- @ f/5.6
Distortion = slight pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4.0     B+        C+
f/5.6     A-        B
f/8       A-        B+
f/11      B+        B+
f/16      B+        B+
f/22      B+        B+

Note: moderately high contrast.

Canon FD 35mm f/2 breech mount, concave front element version, pre-S.S.C. with chrome snout

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = C @ f/2, B @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2       A-        B
f/2.8     A         B+
f/4       A         A
f/5.6     A+        A+
f/8       A         A+
f/11      A         A+
f/16      A         A

Note: incorporates radioactive, thorium floride ("rare earth") glass which imparts a warm green tinge to the pictures. Best use as an exceptional quality lens for black and white photography, since it doesn't match the color of other Canon FD lenses and will color cast color slides. Very high contrast at all but f/5.6 and f/8 where it is extremely high. Optimum aperture f/5.6.

Canon FD 35mm f/2 breech mount, S.S.C. convex front element version

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = B- @ f/2, B+ @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2       B+        B
f/2.8     A-        B+
f/4       A-        A-
f/5.6     A-        A-
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      B         B
f/16      B         B
f/22      B-        B

Note: high contrast at f/5.6 and f/8; moderately high at f/2 to f/4, f/11; moderate contrast at f/16 to f/22.

Canon FD 35mm f/2 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and aperture prefire
Vignetting = B @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion = slight waveforming with slight barrel tendency

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2*      B         C+
f/2       B         B-
f/2.8     A-        A-
f/4       A         A-
f/5.6     A         A
f/8       A         A-
f/11      A-        B+
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B-        B

Notes: * = tested with a Quantaray UV filter. Moderate contrast images at f/22; moderately high contrast images at f/2 (with and without filter) through f/4 and at f/16; high contrast images at f/5.6 through f/11.

Canon FD 35mm f/2.8 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = B- @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4 & f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2.8     B+        B
f/4       A-        B+
f/5.6     A         A
f/8       A-        A-
f/11      B+        B+
f/16      B         B
f/22      B-        B-

Note: high contrast at f/4 and f/11 through f/22; very high contrast at f/5.6 to f/8; moderately high contrast at f/2.8.

Canon FD 35mm f/3.5 pre-S.C. breech mount

Canon F-1 with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = ? @ f/3.5, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = slight barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B+?       B-?
f/5.6     B+        B
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      B         A-
f/16      B         B

Note: provisional SQF grades at f/3.5 due to overexposure; moderately high contrast at f/5.6; high contrast at f/8 through f/16.Moderate contrast at f/3.5 and f/22; moderately high contrast at f/5.6 through f/16.

Canon FD 35mm f/3.5 S.C. breech mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = B+ @ f/3.5, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B+        B-
f/5.6     A-        A
f/8       A         A
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B         B
f/22      B-        B

Note: moderate contrast at f/3.5 and f/22; moderately high contrast at f/5.6 through f/16.

Canon FD 35-70mm f/3.5~4.5 bayonet mount

Canon AE-1 with self timer only

@ 35mm setting

Vignetting = C+ @ f/3.5, B @ f/5, A thereafter
Distortion = pronounced barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B         C
f/5       A-        B-
f/7       A         B+
f/10      A-        A-
f/14.5    B+        B+
f/20      B         B

Notes: moderately high contrast at f/3.5 and f/5; high contrast at f/7 anf f/20; very high contrast at f/10 and f/14.5. Markedly lower performance in the corners at all three focal lengths tested, although a generally contrasty lens - but at the expense of resolution. Distortion typical of short, standard zooms with few elements.

@ 50mm setting

Vignetting = A- @ f/4, A thereafter
Distortion = moderate pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4.0     C         C
f/5.6     B-        C+
f/8       B         B-
f/11      B         B+
f/16      B+        B+
f/22      B+        B+

Note: moderate contrast at f/4; moderately high contrast at f/5.6 through f/11; high contrast at f/16 to f/22.

@ 70mm setting

Vignetting = B @ f/4.5, A- @ f/6.3, A thereafter
Distortion = moderate pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4.5     C         C-
f/6.3     C+        C
f/9       B-        C+
f/12.5    A-        B-
f/18      B+        B
f/25      B         B

Note: moderately high contrast at f/4.5 through f/18; high contrast in center at f/25, but moderate in corner.

Canon FD 35-105mm f/3.5

@ 35mm setting

Vignetting = C+ @ f/3.5, B+ @ f/5.6
Distortion = pronounced barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B-        C+
f/5.6     B         B-
f/8       B+        B
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B         B+
f/22      B-        B-

Note: moderate contrast.

@ 50mm setting

Vignetting = B- @ f/3.5
Distortion = slight pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B         B-
f/5.6     B         B
f/8       A-        A
f/11      A-        A-
f/16      B+        B+
f/22      B         B-

Note: moderate contrast

@ 85mm setting

Vignetting = C+ @ f/3.5, B @ f/5.6 and beyond
Distortion = slight barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     C         C+
f/5.6     B         B
f/8       A-        B+
f/11      A-        B+
f/16      B+        B+
f/22      B         B-

Note: moderate contrast.

@ 105mm setting

Vignetting = B- @ f/3.5, A- @ f/5.6
Distortion = pronounced barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B         B
f/5.6     A-        B+
f/8       A         B
f/11      A-        B+
f/16      B+        B+
f/22      B-        B-
<pre>
Note: moderately high contrast.
==Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 breech mount (pre-S.S.C.)==
Canon F-1 with mirror and diaphragm prefire<br>
Vignetting = C+ @ f/1.4, B @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter<br>
Distortion = slight barrel to none<br>
<pre>
Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.4     B-        C
f/2       B+        C
f/2.8     A-        B
f/4       A-        A-
f/5.6     A-        A
f/8       A-        A
f/11      A-        A
f/16      B+        A-

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/1.4; moderate high center contrast and moderately low corner contrast at f/2; moderately high contrast at f/2.8 through f/16.

Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 breech mount (S.S.C.)

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = C+ @ f/1.4, B+ @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.4     B-        C
f/2       B+        B-
f/2.8     A-        A-
f/4       A-        A-
f/5.6     B+        B+
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B         B

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/1.4; moderate contrast at f/2; moderately high contrast at f/2.8; high contrast at f/4 and f/5.6; very high contrast at f/8 through f/16.

Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 bayonet mount

Canon AE-1 with self-timer only

Vignetting = B @ f/1.4, A- @ f/2 and beyond
Distortion = slight barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.4     B         C+
f/2       A-        B-
f/2.8     A-        B+
f/4       A         A-
f/5.6     A         A
f/8       B+        A
f/11      B+        B+
f/16      B+        B

Note: moderately high contrast, except f/1.4 to f/2.8, where corners are moderately low in contrast.

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire

Vignetting = C+ @ f/1.4, B+ @ f/2, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.4     B         B-
f/2       A-        B
f/2.8     A-        A
f/4       A         A-
f/5.6     A-        A-
f/8       A-        A-
f/11      B+        A-
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B

Notes: different sample than above. Very high contrast, except moderately high at f/1.4. Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 S.C. breech mount== Canon F-1 with mirror and diaphragm prefire, 2nd sample
Distortion: slight barrel
Vignetting: C @ f/1.8, B+ @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4, A thereafter

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.8     B-        C+
f/2.8     A-        B
f/4       B+        A
f/5.6     B+        A
f/8       B         B+
f/11      B         B+
f/16      B         B

Note: moderate contrast at f/1.8; moderately high contrast at f/2.8; high contrast at f/4 through f/16.

Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 bayonet mount

Canon AE-1 with self-timer only, first sample

Distortion: slight barrel
Vignetting: C+ @ f/1.8, B+ @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.8     C-        D+
f/2.8     B+        C+
f/4       A-        B
f/5.6     A         A
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      B         B
f/16      B         B-

Note: moderately low contrast @ f/1.8, moderate contrast at f/16, moderately high contrast at f/2.8 to f/11.

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire, 2nd sample

Distortion: barrel
Vignetting: B @ f/1.8, B+ @ f/2.8, A thereafter

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.8     B         B-
f/2.8     B+        B
f/4       A-        B+
f/5.6     B+        B+
f/8       A-        B+
f/11      B         B+
f/16      B         B+
f/22      B         B

Note: different lens sample than above AE-1 test. Moderately low contrast @ f/1.8, moderate contrast at f/2.8 and f/22, moderately high contrast at f/4 to f/16.

Canon FD 50mm f/2 (bayonet mount, S.C.)

Canon AE-1 with self-timer only
Vignetting = C @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A @ f/4
Distortion = none

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2       B-        B-
f/2.8     B+        B
f/4       A-        B+
f/5.6     A-        B+
f/8       A-        B
f/11      B         B
f/16      B+        B-

Note: moderate contrast, except moderately low at f/2 and f/16.

Canon FD 50-135mm f/3.5 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire

@ 50mm setting

Vignetting = B+ @ f/3.5, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = pronounced barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B-        B-
f/5.6     B+        B+
f/8       A-        A-
f/11      B+        B+
f/16      B         B+
f/22      B         B
f/32      B-        B-

Notes: very high contrast at f/11 through f/32; high contrast at f/5.6 to f/8; moderate contrast at f/3.5.

@ 90mm setting

Vignetting = B+ @ f/3.5, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = pronounced pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B+        B
f/5.6     A-        A-
f/8       A-        A-
f/11      A         B+
f/16      A-        B+
f/22      B         B
f/32      B-        B-

Notes: moderately high contrast at f/3.5; high contrast at f/5.6, and f/16 through f/32; very high contrast at f/8 anf f/11.

@ 135mm setting

Vignetting = B @ f/3.5, A- @ f/5.6 & f/8, A thereafter
Distortion = extreme pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     C-        C-
f/5.6     B-        B
f/8       B-        B-
f/11      A-        B+
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B
f/32      B         B

Notes: low contrast at f/3.;, moderate contrast at f/5.6, f/8 and f/32; moderately high contrast at f/11 through f/22.

Canon FD 50mm f/3.5 Macro S.S.C.

Canon AE-1 with self-timer
Vignetting = B @ f/3.5, A- @ f/5.6
Distortion = moderate pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/3.5     B-        B-
f/5.6     A         A
f/8       A+        A
f/11      A         A-
f/16      A-        A-
f/22      B+        B+

Note: high contrast at f/5.6 to f/16, moderate contrast at f/3.5 and f/22.

Canon FD 80-200mm f/4 bayonet mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire

@ 80mm setting

Vignetting = B+ @ f/4, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = barrel

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4       B         B-
f/5.6     B         B
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      B+        B+
f/16      A-        B+
f/22      B         B
f/32      B         B-

Notes: moderate contrast at f/4; moderately high at f/5.6, f/22 and f/32; high contrast at f/8 through f/16.

@ 135mm setting

Vignetting = B @ f/4, A- @ f/5.6, A thereafter
Distortion = none

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4       B-        C+
f/5.6     B         B-
f/8       B         B
f/11      A-        B+
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B-
f/32      B-        C

Notes: moderately high contrast at all apertures except f/32, where moderate contrast.

@ 200mm setting

Vignetting = A- @ f/4, A thereafter
Distortion = moderate pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4       B-        B-
f/5.6     B         B
f/8       B+        B
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B-
f/32      B-        B-

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/4; moderately at f/5.6, f/8, f/22 and f/32; moderately high at f/11 and f/16.

Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C. breech mount

Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting = B @ f/1.8, A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion = moderate pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.8     D+        C
f/2.8     C+        C+
f/4       B-        B-
f/5.6     B-        B
f/8       B         B
f/11      A-        B
f/16      B         C+
<pre>
Note: moderately low contrast at f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/16; moderate contrast at f/4, f/5.6 and f/11; moderately high at f/8.
==Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 bayonet mount==
Canon EF with mirror and diaphragm prefire<br>
Vignetting = B- @ f/1.8, A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter<br>
Distortion = pronounced pincushion<br>
<pre>
Aperture  Center    Corner
f/1.8     B-        B
f/2.8     B+        B
f/4       A-        B+
f/5.6     A         A-
f/8       A-        B+
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B-        B-

Note: moderate contrast images at f/1.8 and f/22; moderately high contrast images at f/2.8 through f/5.6 (the optimum aperture) and f/11 to f/16; high contrast images at f/8.

Canon FD 100mm f/2 (bayonet mount)

Canon EF w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting: B @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion: slight pincushion<bre>

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/2        B-        B+
f/2.8      A-        A-
f/4        A         A
f/5.6      A         A
f/8        A-        A-
f/11       A         A
f/16       B+        B+
f/22       B+        B+
f/32       B         B

Notes: moderate contrast at f/2 and f/32; moderately high contrast at f/2.8, f/4, f/16 and f/22; high contrast at f/5.6; very high contrast at f/8 and f/11.

Canon FD 100mm f/2.8 pre-S.S.C. breech mount

Canon F-1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting: A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion: moderate pincushion

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/2.8      B+        B
f/4        A-        B+
f/5.6      A-        A-
f/8        A?        A-?
f/11       A-        B+
f/16       B+        B+
f/22       B+        B

Notes: provisional SQF grades at f/8 due to overexposure; moderately high contrast at f/2.8 and f/4; high contrast at f/5.6, f/22 and provisionally at f/8; very high contrast at f/11 and f/16.

Canon FD 100mm f/2.8 S.S.C. breech mount

Canon F-1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting: A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion: slight pincushion

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/2.8      B         B-
f/4        B+        B
f/5.6      B+        B
f/8        B         B-
f/11       B+        B
f/16       B         B-
f/22       B         B-

Notes: moderate contrast at all focal lengths

Canon FD 100mm f/2.8 S.S.C. breech mount with Canon 2x-A Teleconverter (breech mount)

Canon F1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire, same 100mm lens as above
Vignetting: A at all apertures
Distortion: pincushion

Aperture     Center    Corner
f/2.8 (5.6)  C         D
f/4 (8)      B-        C
f/5.6 (11)   B-        C+
f/8 (16)     B         C+
f/11 (22)    B         B-
f/16 (32)    B-        C+
f/22 (44)    C+        C

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/2.8 (effectively f/5.6); moderate contrast at f/4 (8) through f/8 (16) and f/16(32) to f/22 (45); moderately high at f/11 (22). This is not a recommended combination, since the 2x-B is intended for use with this lens.

Canon FD 100mm f/2.8 S.S.C. breech mount with Canon 2x-B Teleconverter (breech mount)

Canon F1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire, same 100mm lens as above
Vignetting: A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion: none

Aperture     Center    Corner
f/2.8 (5.6)  B-        C+
f/4 (8)      B         B-
f/5.6 (11)   B+        B
f/8 (16)     B         B-
f/11 (22)    B         B-
f/16 (32)    B-        B-
f/22 (44)    B-        B-

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/2.8 (effectively f/5.6) and f/22 (45), moderate contrast at f/4 (8) through f/16 (32).

Canon FD 100mm f/2.8 S.S.C breech mount with Vivitar 2X Macro Focusing Teleconverter

Canon F1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting: none
Distortion: none

Aperture     Center    Corner
f/2.8 (5.6)  B-        C
f/4 (8)      B+        B
f/5.6 (11)   A-        B
f/8 (16)     A-        B+
f/11 (22)    B+        B+
f/16 (32)    B         B
f/22 (44)    C+        C+

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/2.8 (effectively f/5.6), moderate contrast at f/16 (32) and f/22 (45), moderately high contrast at f/4 (8) through f/11 (22).

Canon FD 100mm f/4 Macro (multi-coated, bayonet mount)

Canon AE-1 using self-timer
Vignetting = A- @ f/4, A @ f/5.6
Distortion = none

Aperture  Center    Corner
f/4       B         B
f/5.6     A         B+
f/8       B+        B+
f/11      B+        B+
f/16      B+        B+
f/22      B-        B-
f/32      C         C
<pre> 
==Bell & Howell/Canon FD 135mm f/2.5 S.C. breech mount==
Canon F-1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire<br>
Vignetting: B+ @ f/2.5, A thereafter<br>
Distortion: none<br>
<pre>
Aperture   Center    Corner
f/2.5*     B-        B-
f/2.5      B-        B-
f/4        B         B
f/5.6      B         B
f/8        B-        B-
f/11       B         B
f/16       B         B-
f/22       B+        B-

Notes: moderate contrast at f/2.5 (with [*] and without Canon Skylight filter); moderately high contrast at f/4 through f/22. This lens was marketed in the USA in the earliest days of the Canon FD lens line.

Canon FD 135mm f/3.5 Pre-S.C. breech

Canon F-1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting: A- @ f/3.5, A thereafter
Distortion: slight pincushion

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/3.5      B         B-
f/5.6      B+        B
f/8        A-        B
f/11       B+        B
f/16       B         B
f/22       B         B

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/3.5 and f/22; moderatel contrast at f/5.6, f/11 and f/16; moderately high contrast at f/8.

same camera and lens sample as above, with a generic brand UV filter

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/3.5      C+        C+

same camera and lens sample as above, with a Canon brand UV filter

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/3.5      B-        B-

Canon FD 135mm f/3.5 S.C.

Canon F-1 w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting: A- @ f/3.5, A thereafter
Distortion: none

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/3.5      B         C+
f/5.6      B+        B-
f/8        B+        B
f/11       B         B-
f/16       B         B-
f/22       B         B-

Notes: moderately low contrast at f/3.5; moderately high contrast at f/5.6 to f/16; moderate contrast at f/22.

Canon FD 200mm f/2.8 (bayonet mount)

Canon EF w/ mirror and diaphragm prefire
Vignetting: A- @ f/2.8, A thereafter
Distortion: pincushion

Aperture   Center    Corner
f/2.8      C-        C
f/4        B-        C+
f/5.6      B-        C+
f/8        B         B-
f/11       B+        B-
f/16       A-        B-
f/22       B         B-
f/32       B-        C+

Notes: low contrast at f/2.8 and f/4, moderately low contrast at f/45, moderate contrast at other apertures.

Canon FD 300mm f/5.6 S.S.C.

Canone AE-1 using self-timer
Vignetting = B @ f/5.6
Distortion = slight pincushion

Aperture  Center    Corner
5.6       B         B-
8         B         B-
11        A         B
16        A-        B
22        B+        B-

Notes: high contrast even wide open, although only moderate at f/22; difficult to focus.