Quick answer
The Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro is a standard macro lens covering 50mm at f/3.5 for the Canon FD mount. Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
About this lens
A 50mm f/3.5 manual-focus macro lens, the Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro is designed for Canon FD mount bodies. It is intended for close-up work with small subjects such as flowers and insects.
Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro specifications
What can you shoot with the Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro?
At 50mm this is a standard macro, which typically suits:
- Everyday and street photography
- Natural-perspective portraits
- Documentary and travel work
Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 50mm | 39.6° | 46.8° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 80mm | 25.4° | 30.3° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 100mm | 20.4° | 24.4° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro use?
It uses the Canon FD mount, so it fits Canon FD cameras directly and can be used on other systems through a mount adapter.
What is the focal length of the Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro?
It is a fixed 50mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5. That makes it a standard lens.
Is the Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a prime lens with a fixed 50mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/3.5.
What is the Vivitar 50mm f/3.5 Macro equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.6x crop) it frames like 80mm on full frame, with a 25.4° horizontal and 30.3° diagonal field of view. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 100mm on full frame, with a 20.4° horizontal and 24.4° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Alternatives for Canon FD from other brands
All Canon FD lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
