FD Lenses by Focal Length
When Canon introduced the FD lens mount in 1970 with the FD 135mm f/3.5 it was an evolution and not a revolution. There already existed a wide variety of R series and FL series lenses that were compatible with the new mount. The problem being addressed was that cameras were now sophisticated enough to meter the light through the lens and at the same time keep the lens fully open for ease of focusing (remember, it was all manual focusing with these lenses). When the picture was taken, the lens would stop down, take the picture, and then open to full aperture again, all so fast you could not see it happen.
The single pin of the FL lens could not transmit the necessary information to the lens for this routine. So a second pin was added to the back of the lens. One was to transmit the selected aperture and the other was to stop the lens down to that chosen aperture for the brief moment of the exposure.
Initially, no change was made to the mechanical mounting of the lens. That came later with the “New FD” or FDn mount which did not change the pins but the mechanical mount and locking system.
The new FD lenses with this mount makes an impressive list. For looking up a particular lens is difficult in Date order. However, if we put this list in focal length order it is easier.
| Name | Released | Min.Aperture | Blades | Groups | Elements | Filter | Weight |
| Fisheye FD 7.5mm f/5.6 | Jun 71 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 11 | – | 380gr |
| Fisheye FD 7.5mm f/5.6 S.S.C. | Feb 73 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 11 | – | 380gr |
| Fisheye FD 15mm f/2.8 S.S.C. | Apr 73 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 10 | – | 485gr |
| FD 17mm f/4 | Mar 71 | 22 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 72mm | 490gr |
| FD 17mm f/4 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 72mm | 450gr |
| FD 20mm f/2.8 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 72mm | 345gr |
| FD 24mm f/1.4 S.S.C. Aspherical | Mar 75 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 72mm | 500gr |
| FD 24mm f/2.8 | Mar 71 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 55mm | 410gr |
| FD 24mm f/2.8 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 55mm | 330gr |
| FD 24-35 f/3.5 S.S.C. Aspherical | Feb 78 | 22 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 72mm | 515gr |
| FD 28mm f/2 S.S.C. | Nov 75 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 55mm | 343gr |
| FD 28mm f/2.8 S.C. | Mar 75 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 55mm | 280gr |
| FD 28mm f/3.5 | Mar 71 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 55mm | 290gr |
| FD 28mm f/3.5 S.C. | Mar 73 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 55mm | 250gr |
| FD 28-50mm f/3.5 S.S.C. | Jul 76 | 22 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 58mm | 470gr |
| FD 35mm f/2 (I) | Mar 71 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 55mm | 420gr |
| FD 35mm f/2 (II) | Jan 73 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 55mm | 420gr |
| FD 35mm f/2 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 55mm | 370gr |
| FD 35mm f/2 S.S.C. (II) | Apr 76 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 55mm | 345gr |
| FD 35mm f/3.5 | Mar 71 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 55mm | 325gr |
| FD 35mm f/3.5 S.C. (I) | Mar 73 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 55mm | 295gr |
| FD 35mm f/3.5 S.C. (II) | Mar 75 | 22 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 55mm | 236gr |
| FD 35mm f/3.5 S.C. (III) | Jul 77 | 22 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 55mm | 236gr |
| TS 35mm f/2.8 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 58mm | 550gr |
| FD 35-70mm f/2.8-3.5 S.S.C. | Dec 73 | 22 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 58mm | 575gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.2 | Mar 71 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 58mm | 565gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.4 | Mar 71 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 55mm | 370gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. (I) | Mar 73 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 55mm | 350gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. (II) | Jun 73 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 55mm | 305gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.8 (I) | Mar 71 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 55mm | 305gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.8 (II) | Nov 71 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 55mm | 305gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.8 S.C. (I) | Mar 73 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 55mm | 255gr |
| FD 50mm f/1.8 S.C. (II) | Mar 76 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 55mm | 200gr |
| FDM 50mm f/3.5 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 55mm | 310gr |
| FD 55mm f/1.2 AL | Mar 71 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 58mm | 605gr |
| FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 58mm | 565gr |
| FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. AL | Mar 73 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 58mm | 575gr |
| FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical | Mar 75 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 58mm | 575gr |
| FD 80-200mm f/4 S.S.C. | Oct 76 | 32 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 55mm | 750gr |
| FD 85-300mm f/4.5 S.S.C. | Apr 74 | 22 | 8 | 11 | 5 | – | 1800gr |
| FD 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical | Jan 76 | 16 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 72mm | 756gr |
| FD 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C. | Apr 74 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 55mm | 425gr |
| FD 100-200mm f/5.6 | May 71 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 55mm | 820gr |
| FD 100-200mm f/5.6 S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 55mm | 765gr |
| FD 100mm f/2.8 | Mar 71 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 55mm | 430gr |
| FD 100mm f/2.8 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 55mm | 360gr |
| FD 100mm f/4 S.C. | Oct 75 | 32 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 55mm | 530gr |
| FD 135mm f/2.5 | Mar 71 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 58mm | 670gr |
| FD 135mm f/2.5 S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 58mm | 630gr |
| FD 135mm f/3.5 | Jul 70 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 55mm | 480gr |
| FD 135mm f/3.5 S.C. (I) | Mar 73 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 55mm | 465gr |
| FD 135mm f/3.5 S.C. (II) | Nov 76 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 55mm | 385gr |
| FD 200mm f/2.8 S.S.C. | Mar 75 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 72mm | 700gr |
| FD 200mm f/4 | Mar 71 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 55mm | 725gr |
| FD 200mm f/4 S.S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 55mm | 675gr |
| FD 300mm f/2.8 S.S.C. Florite | Oct 75 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 6 | – | 1900gr |
| FD 300mm f/4 L | Dec 78 | 32 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 34mm | 1235gr |
| FD 300mm f/4 S.S.C. | Jan 78 | 22 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 34mm | 965gr |
| FD 300mm f/5.6 | Mar 71 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 58mm | 1155gr |
| FD 300mm f/5.6 S.C. | Mar 73 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 58mm | 1125gr |
| FD 300mm f/5.6 S.S.C. | Mar 77 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 55mm | 685gr |
| FD 400mm f/4.5 S.S.C. | Oct 75 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 6 | – | 1300gr |
| FD 500mm f/4.5 L | May 79 | 32 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 48mm | 2950gr |
| Reflex 500mm f/8 S.S.C. | Sep 78 | – | – | 3 | 6 | 34mm | 740gr |
| FD 600mm f/4.5 S.S.C. | Jul 76 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 48mm | 4300gr |
| FD 800mm f/5.6 L | Dec 79 | 32 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 48mm | 4600gr |
| FD 800mm f/5.6 S.S.C. | Jul 76 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 48mm | 4300gr |
This page is not a review of this Canon equipment but rather a record of an item in my collection. I have no connection with Canon and receive no remuneration nor benefit for this listing. It is for my own use and possibly your enjoyment!.