Best fast prime lenses for Canon FD: Top Picks

Our catalogue lists 21 fast prime lenses for Canon FD. Fixed lenses with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 or wider, for low light and shallow depth of field.

How these were picked. Lenses are ranked using only data in our catalogue: those with editorial notes first, then those with a photo and a buying link, newer release years where known, and faster maximum apertures as a tie-breaker. This is a data-based shortlist, not a hands-on test ranking.

1.Canon New FD 50mm f/1.4

50mm · f/1.4 · Canon FD

Manual-focus 50mm f/1.4 for Canon FD cameras. It is a film-era normal lens widely used on adapted mirrorless bodies.

Specs Compare with FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C.
2.Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C.

50mm · f/1.4 · Canon FD

A classic Canon FD standard lens from the S.S.C. coating era. It has a 55mm filter thread, focuses to 0.45m and has an aperture ring.

Specs Compare with FDn 50mm 1:1.4
3.Canon FDn 50mm 1:1.4

50mm · f/1.4 · Canon FD

Canon FDn 50mm 1:1.4: a fast manual-focus standard prime lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.4, made for Canon FD mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday...

Specs Compare with New FD 50mm f/1.8
4.Canon New FD 50mm f/1.8

50mm · f/1.8 · Canon FD

Canon New FD 50mm f/1.8: a fast manual-focus standard prime lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, made for Canon FD mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and every...

Specs Compare with New FD 85mm f/1.8
5.Canon New FD 85mm f/1.8

85mm · f/1.8 · Canon FD

This 85mm f/1.8 fast manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens from Canon fits Canon FD mount cameras. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with FL 58mm f/1.2
6.Canon FL 58mm f/1.2

58mm · f/1.2 · Canon FD

The Canon FL 58mm f/1.2 is a fast manual-focus standard prime lens covering 58mm at f/1.2 for Canon FD mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photography.

Specs Compare with 50mm f/1.4 Auto
7.Vivitar 50mm f/1.4 Auto

50mm · f/1.4 · Canon FD

The Vivitar 50mm f/1.4 Auto is a fast manual-focus standard prime lens covering 50mm at f/1.4 for Canon FD mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photography.

Specs Compare with FD 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C.
8.Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C.

85mm · f/1.8 · Canon FD

This 85mm f/1.8 fast manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens from Canon fits Canon FD mount cameras. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with 50mm f/1.8 Auto
9.Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto

50mm · f/1.8 · Canon FD

Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 Auto: a fast manual-focus standard prime lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, made for Canon FD mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and every...

Specs Compare with New FD 50mm f/1.2L
10.Canon New FD 50mm f/1.2L

50mm · f/1.2 · Canon FD

A 50mm f/1.2 fast manual-focus standard prime lens, the Canon New FD 50mm f/1.2L is designed for Canon FD mount bodies, from the Canon L series. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photogr...

Specs Compare with New FD 85mm f/1.2L
11.Canon New FD 85mm f/1.2L

85mm · f/1.2 · Canon FD

A 85mm f/1.2 fast manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens, the Canon New FD 85mm f/1.2L is designed for Canon FD mount bodies, from the Canon L series. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with New FD 24mm f/1.4L
12.Canon New FD 24mm f/1.4L

24mm · f/1.4 · Canon FD

Canon New FD 24mm f/1.4L: a fast manual-focus wide-angle prime lens with a 24mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.4, made for Canon FD mount cameras, from the Canon L series. The wide view suits landscapes, a...

Specs