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Abbreviations

Model history (2)

Specification

Sources of data

• Canon FD interchangeable lenses booklet (PUB. IE01-075) (May 1979).
• Lens Wonderland. Canon FD lens guide book (PUB. C-IE-097AZ) (May 1987).
• Canon FD lens L-series booklet (PUB. C-CE-215A) (February 1985).
• Specifications of Canon New FD lenses (PUB. C-II-099B) (July 1981).
• Canon FD interchangeable lenses booklet (PUB. C-IE-075AF) (May 1981).
• Lens Work. The Canon guide to interchangeable lenses and Single Lens Reflex photography.
• Quick reference guide.
• Canon AE-1 Program booklet (PUB. C-CE-124) (December 1980).
• Canon AL-1 Quick focus booklet (PUB. C-CE-135A) (January 1982).
• The New F-1 World booklet.
• Canon A-1 booklet (PUB. C-CE-0990) (September 1980).
• Canon AE-1 booklet (PUB. C-CE-1056AB) (September 1980).
• Canon FD lenses sales guide.
• Canon Reflex 1981/1982 booklet.
• Canon interchangeable lenses FD booklet (PUB. C-IE-075AQ) (March 1982).
• Canon Reflex booklet (1985).
• Canon FD lenses instructions (PUB. II01-061I) (July 1979).
• Canon FD interchangeable lenses booklet (PUB. C-IE-075AL) (December 1981).
• Canon AE-1 booklet (PUB. C-CE-1056Y) (February 1980).
• Canon Products Guide (PUB. C-CE-114BI) (February 1983).
• Canon Products Guide (PUB. CE01-114B) (July 1979).
• Canon FD lenses (October 1982).

Manufacturer description #1

As a result of incorporating an aspherical lens element in the rear lens group, a revolutionary fast lens speed of f/1.4 was realized. This is one of the world's highest-reputed performance lenses. No flares arise at its full aperture and the use of floating elements eliminates spherical aberration at close shooting distances. Barrel distortion and coma are also held to a minimum for producing sharp images of superb color.

For the discerning photographer, this lens is especially suited to low-light shooting conditions.

Manufacturer description #2

This epoch-making wide-angle lens boasts an extremely large maximum aperture of f/1.4 for its focal length, which was made possible through the incorporation of an aspherical element. With regular spherical lenses, it is not possible to completely eliminate flare which usually increases with aperture size and becomes most obvious at maximum aperture settings. The aspherical element virtually eliminated flare while, at the same time, enhancing the resolving power and solving the problem of diminishing brightness at the periphery of the image field, a shortcoming of conventional spherical lenses. As a result, the lens is free from halo (often appearing in nighttime snapshots as blurred outlines of light sources such as lighted windows, street lights, etc.). This improvement makes it possible to shoot available-light photographs under relatively poor lighting conditions where the use of flash is not possible. The lens, thus, drastically expanded the horizons for wide-angle photography. Barrel-form distortion inherent in spherical wide-angle lenses and comae are almost entirely absent. The lens offers excellent contrast as well as the extremely high image definition which is characteristic of aspherical lenses. Because of its relatively moderate distinctive perspective making for easy framing, the lens enjoyed a solid reputation as an easy-to-use wide-angle lens. Close-up shooting down to a minimum distance of 30cm is possible.

Manufacturer description #3

Canon's recent breakthrough in the production of aspheric lens surfaces has made this lens possible. Previous to this lens, the design of sum a high-speed super-wide-angle lens would not have been possible, due to optical aberrations which could not be overcome using conventional spherical lens elements. For superior photography under any lighting conditions, this lens is nothing short of perfect.

New design features include the Canon quick mounting design which greatly facilitates lens mounting and removal. Use of this new design has also resulted in a slight reduction of weight.

Other wide-angle prime lenses in the Canon FD system

Lenses with similar focal length