| Year | 1979 |
| Lens Groups | 4 |
| Lens Element | 6 |
| Aperature Blades | 6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Closest Focusing | 0.232 m |
| Max. Magnifcation | 1:2 (0.5x) |
| Filter Size | 52 mm |
| Diameter x Length | 63 x 57 mm |
| Weight | 235 gr (0.52 lb) |
| Hood | BW-52A |
I use this excellent lens on a Sony A7. It's wonderfully sharp and distortion free from f/5.6 through f/11, and it's even usable at f/16 and f/22 if you can live with some loss of sharpness due to diffraction. You can easily use this as a standard 50mm lens and as your walk-around macro lens. rnrnBecause it's a macro lens, the focus throw is really huge. Be prepared to crank it! As such, for walking-around, street shooting, etc., you're better off with a non-macro 50mm (like the FDn 50mm f/1.4).rnrnAnother plus: you can use a lens hood... but due to the design, the lens is so far back inside the body that you don't need a lens hood.
This lens belongs in my opinion to the very best Canon lenses ever made. Even wide open this lens beats the performance of many fast, expensive lenses when stopped down. At f/8 there is no more IQ one could wish. My example has no weaknesses at all, it is just joy using it. Tack sharp, crispy shots combined with high contrasts and vivid colours (its green is stunning). If I was constructing it, I would just give its diaphragm 9 blades instead of 6. One buys today this lens for almost nothing and it beats the performance of most "L" Canon lenses. Its barell is done by solid plastics, but it lasts perfectly for over 30 years and compared with cheaply done EF lenses of today, it just looks solid like tank.
I have had this lens for about a year, and I recently noticed limits of the FD 50mm f/3.5 Macro lens. When you shoot at f/3.5, the boarder of the frame is extremely soft, especially at foreground out of focus areas. This is significant with contrast such as tree branches background with the sky.
One thing to consider as well, is that it takes several terms to change the focus barrel from 2.32cm to infinity. Do not intend of using this lens with action subjects, as I have gotten many out of focused shots that way.
The construction of the lens is excellent, with all the parts are easy to oberate. I also enjoy the end element of the lens receded within the lens, this acts as both built in protection and a built-in hood. The aperture is constructed with six blades, with f/3.5 being a smooth circle.
Over all, I am fairly satisfied with this lens, now aware of its limitations. As long as you do not need fast action, and you have a tripod, this lens can create beautiful bokah close work photographs.
This is an unusual looking lens compared to a normal 50. The front element is tiny and deeply recessed. The well damped focus ring turns about 315 degrees - you may have to stop half way for a rest. There are three sets of markings: distance in metric, distance in imperial and reproduction ratio down to1:2. Also DOF and IR marks. I bought this lens hoping to get low distortion at infinity like the EOS macro 50 but no luck - there is noticeable pincushion at infinity. (This MAY be due to the FD lens NOT being a floating design.) Sharp and contrasty at f/5.6 and very usable at f/3.5. Like other slow lenses, one half or other of the split image viewfinder may black out as you move your eye around. An interesting alternative to a normal 50 - particularly if you like bugs and flowers.
This super sharp lens is one of my favorites for both close-ups and distance shots. A great all-rounder. Stunning image quality, even wide open but amazing at f/8. Deeply recessed optical elements mean no lens hood needed. It uses 52mm filters and needs a 25mm extention tube to get 1:1 magnification. It also a good lens for use on a bellows.