Playing With Lenses: December 2022

Friday, 2 December 2022

Just another kit lens: Canon Zoom Lens FD 35-70mm 1:3.5-4.5

Cost: $12.00 (average cost around $15)

This lens was sold as a two-touch kit lens for the Canon body at that time. It was a cheaper and lighter replacement of the 35-70mm 1:4. It does feel light and is nice lens to combine with a lightweight camera. But the plastic also makes it feel a little brittle and if you shake the lens, the front glass rattles. Not a high-quality feel. I think there are some nicer options out there, like an early Pentax zoom lens.

FD lenses are typically of high quality and have a good reputation. I would recommend any FD prime lens, but I think they dropped the ball on this zoom lens. Colors are really nice, but sharpness is often lacking, and the Bokeh is dirty. It does seem to work best with pictures in the 5-to-20-foot range, making it suitable as an easy to carry street photography lens.

I do have better lenses that are similar, so I will not be keeping this lens.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 35mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Canon FD
Optics: 9 elements, 8 groups
Blades: 8
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 50cm
Filter Size: 52mm
Weight: 214g
Length: 63-77mm
Production: 1983
Serial Number: 66039
Made in: Japan

More information on Canon Inc.

Samples: