Hi,

Is my Canon FD 35-70mm f/4 worth trading in for a New FD 35-70mm f/2.8 - 3.5 lens? Will I get better images (resolution/contrast-wise) at larger apertures from the f/2.8 - 3.5? Has anybody owned this lens before and have any comments? Thanks.

J.W.

-- Joseph Wei (jimmy123ho@aol.com), March 27, 2002

Answers

Joseph,

I have owned the FD SSC version of this lens since the late 1970s. It is my favorite lens, though it is large and heavy. I have always been happy with the images it produces but I am probably less critical than some other users. I have not used the later 35-70 lenses but I expect you will not notice that one lens is noticably superior to the other.

Bill

-- Bill Salati (wsalati@hotmail.com), March 30, 2002.

I have had the new FD 35-70 2.8 - 3.5 lens for 6 years, recently gone back to 50 f1.4 to save weight. It is sharp and relatively free from distortion but obviously a lot bigger and heavier than the f4.(545 grams and 120mm long); the original slip-on lens cap is unobtainable now. One irritation with this lens is that the front element retracts v.deep into the barrel at one end of the range, making adjusting a polarisng filter a real finger-twister. The rubber lens hood (if you can find one) also could be better designed attaching via a captive grub screw.

-- Nigel Craig (Nigel_Craig@btinternet.com), March 31, 2002.