Canon FL
© 2012 - 2013 Baris S. Bille. All rights reserved.
"Canon cameras range from handy automatics to the most advanced 35mm systems available anywhere in the world, and interchangeable lenses from super-wide angle to ultra-telephoto (...). The Photographer of tomorrow will continue to trust in Canon quality thanks to the company’s research and development programs. Engineers and scientists in Canon laboratories are developing sophisticated new products for the future ... and insuring Canon’s continuing role as a pioneer in the optical industry." (Canon Products Guide)
This is a list of Canon FL lenses and cameras, built between 1964 and 1970. FL succeeded Canons earlier R mount with aperture automation and improved optical designs. It was replaced by FD and the F1 and FTb cameras in 1971. FL and FD lens mounts are compatible and feature the same solid breech lock coupling. According to Eric Skopec’s Canon Manual Focus SLRs - A Collector’s Guide FL lenses outnumber older R and Canonmatic lenses by around 20 to 1. FD / FDn lenses outnumber FL lenses by appproximately 5 to 1.
Canon FX Canon FP Canon Pellix Canon FT Canon TL
Canon FL lenses
Overview 19mm 28mm 35mm 38mm 50mm 55mm 58mm 85mm 100mm 135mm 200mm Compact Series
How to use Canon FL lenses on a SONY NEX or Micro Four Thirds Camera
On radioactivity (thorium oxide)
Timeline
Glossary
Links
First of Canons F series cameras introduced in 1964, featuring a top-mounted film advance lever and built in meter, yet no TTL ("through the lens") metering.
Introduction: 1964
Shutter: Mechanical, cloth type, 1 - 1/1000 sec and bulb
Mirror: "Shock-proof" quick-return, lockable
Size: 141 × 90 × 40mm
Weight: 670g
Meterless FX
Introduction: 1964
Shutter: Mechanical, cloth type, 1 - 1/1000 sec and bulb
Mirror: "Shock-proof" quick-return, lockable
Size: 141 × 90 × 83mm
Weight: -
First Canon SLR to feature TTL metering; first reflex camera ever to utilize a semi-transparent, fixed mirror to eliminate finder blackout during exposure and mirror-induced vibration.
Introduction: 1965
Shutter: Mechanical, metal, 1 - 1/1000 sec and bulb
Mirror: Fixed, half-transparent
Size: 144 × 91 × 43mm
Weight: 755g
Now "classic" mechanical SLR featuring a movable reflex mirror and TTL ("through the lens") metering. This model was the basis for the following FTb and FTbn cameras for Canon FD.
Introduction: 1966
Shutter: Mechanical, cloth type, 1 - 1/1000 sec and bulb
Mirror: "Shockless" quick-return, lockable
Size: 144 × 93 × 43mm
Weight: 740g
Export-only, simplified FT. Maximum shutter speed of 1/500 sec and without self-timer.
Introduction: 1968
Shutter: Mechanical, cloth type, 1 - 1/500 sec and bulb
Mirror: "Shockless" quick-return, lockable
Size: 144 × 93 × 43mm
Weight: 700g
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Lens 19mm f3.5 19mm f3.5 R 28mm f3.5 35mm f2.5 35mm f3.5 38mm f2.8 FLP 50mm f1.4 I 50mm f1.4 II 50mm f1.8 I 50mm f1.8 II 50mm f3.5 55mm f1.2 58mm f1.2 85mm f1.8 100mm f3.5 135mm f2.5 135mm f3.5 200mm f3.5 200mm f4.5 |
Type Superwide Superwide Wide Wide Wide Wide Standard Standard Standard Standard Macro Standard Standard Tele Tele Tele Tele Tele Tele |
Aperture Mechanism - A-M ring Release ring Release ring A-M ring Release ring A-M ring A-M ring Release ring A-M ring A-M ring A-M ring Release ring Release ring Release ring Release ring A-M ring Release button A-M ring |
Magnification - 0.38× 0.56× 0.7× 0.7× 0.76× 1× 1× 1× 1× 1× 1.1× - 1.7× 2× 2.7× 2.7× 4× 4× |
Filter size (mm) - Series IX / 77 58 58 48 48 58 58 48 48 58 58 58 58 48 58 48 58 48 |
Hood - - W-60-B W-60-A W-50-A - S-60 S-60 S-50 S-50 S-60 S-60 S-60 T-60 T-50 T-60 T-50 Built-in Built-in |
Coating - Amber Amber Magenta Multicoating Magenta Amber Amber, Purple Amber Magenta, Purple Amber Purple, Amber Amber Magenta, Purple Purple Magenta Magenta Magenta Magenta, Purple |
Canons widest FL lens; this is a twin of the screw-mount 19/3.5 released the same year. It requires mirror-lockup on Canon reflex cameras and came with an uncoupled, external finder for composition. With the mirror up the meter will be blocked. Can not be mounted on Canon Pellix (fixed mirror) models or any current NEX digital cameras (December 2012).
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 96°
Close distance: 0.5m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: -
Optics: 9 elements in 7 groups
Weight: 150g
"R" retrofocus type and thus a lot bigger than the non-R 19/3.5. The R-type allows all-time live view through the reflex mirror. Performance of the lens is surprisingly high given its age. At f3.5 center resolution is already very good but corners remain soft. Peak performance is at f8 with high definition over most of the frame (APS-C). Minor spherical aberration is present. The huge front element easily catches stray light and ghosts. The lens was sold with a dedicated filter holder for series IX accessories but will also take standard 77mm screw-in filters.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 96°
Close distance: 0.5m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: Series IX / 77mm
Hood: -
Optics: 11 elements in 9 groups
Weight: 500g
Released in 1966 this lens staid in production until the end of the FL era. It is a beautifully built, compact lens with a sophisticated 7 elements in 7 groups design. (The later FD 28/3.5 relied on 6 elements in 6 groups.) Although it may lack the "wow" of faster lenses, this one is a well performer right from f3.5 for casual shooting. Close up it draws beautifully from in to out of focus. Edge to edge sharpness (APS-C) at f8.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 75°
Close distance: 0.4m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: W-60-B
Optics: 7 elements in 7 groups
Weight: 240g
A moderately fast wide angle lens, a bit on the large side given it´s maximum aperture. At f2.5 the very center is well defined, borders improve a lot by f4, edge to edge sharpness (APS-C) from f5.6 and above but never as crisp as more modern designs (FL 35/3.5, FD 35/2 SSC). Overall a good match for the FL 50/1.4 type I with smooth glow, interesting bokeh, suited well for portraiture.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 64°
Close distance: 0.4m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 68mm
Hood: W-60
Optics: 7 elements in 5 groups
Weight: 352g
Angle of view: -
Close distance: 0.8m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 48mm
Hood: -
Optics: 4 elements in 3 groups
Weight: 210g
This fast standard lens with a 6 elements in 5 groups design projects a high-resolution, low-contrast look ("Leica glow") at open aperture to become gradually sharper with each stop down until high definition over the image frame is achieved by f8 (APS-C). High curvature of field makes objects within near distance "pop", however renders the lens less suitable for flat field work. Impression of out of focus areas is painterly but less smooth than in subsequent designs. Three years after its introduction in 1965 it was replaced by the FL 50/1.4 II.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 46°
Close distance: 0.6m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: S-60
Optics: 6 elements in 5 groups
Weight: unknown
Generally considered a better lens than its predecessor the FL 50/1.4 II improves upon type I with a 7 elements in 6 groups "luxury Gauss" design. In fact it is sharper at every comparable aperture with higher overall contrast. Out of focus rendition is visibly smoother. Canon considered it good enough to become the system benchmark for the following FD series. The FD 50/1.4 SSC is based on the same optical design, carried forward with the new FD 50/1.4 and the EF 50/1.4 for EOS. (Compare the block diagrams here and here).
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 46°
Close distance: 0.6m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: S-60
Optics: 7 elements in 6 groups
Weight: 340g
A very compact standard lens featuring a 48mm filter thread at a weight of about 200g / 280g respectively. With the second generation Canon introduced a dedicated A/M ring for aperture control and a refined optical formula, although both lenses rely on a classic 6 elements in 6 groups "double-Gauss" design. Type II shows good center performance already at f1.8 with only slightly weaker periphery. Two stops down there is fine definition from edge to edge (APS-C) starting to peak at f4. In comparison, type I suffers from significantly higher curvature of field which does affect edge sharpness in flat field and general rendition of out of focus areas ("swirly bokeh"). Resolving power is lower overall but catches up by f8. In both designs, chromatic aberrations are kept well under control.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 46°
Close distance: 0.6m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 48mm
Hood: S-50
Optics: 6 elements in 4 groups
Weight: 228g / 280g
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 46°
Close distance: 0.23m
Smallest f-stop: f22
Filters: 58mm
Hood: S-60
Optics: 4 elements in 3 groups
Weight: 295
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 43°
Close distance: 0.6m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: S-60
Optics: 7 elements in 5 groups
Weight: 480g
This early high-speed lens draws typically like other designs of the same vintage, subjectively much like Leicas classic 50/1 Noctilux (the construction diagrams dont look very different). By modern standards performance is challenged by strong curvature of field and chromatic aberration, however, imaging defects make up for a unique look. At f1.2 in portrait range anything in reasonable distance behind the subject is thrown into massive blur. At f2.8 good definition in the center sets in, at f8 edge to edge sharpness (APS-C) is achieved. Still, slower designs keep the lead in contrast and resolution. It´s "raison d’être" is the unique impression at wide apertures, shallow focus and bokeh.
The Canon Camera Museum lists two types of this lens with similar specs. The affected serial numbers are unknown. I have owned early and late copies of the 58/1.2 and could not find a difference whatsoever.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 41°
Close distance: 0.6m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: S-60
Optics: 7 elements in 5 groups
Weight: 410
A solid, high speed tele with a beautiful signature, painterly bokeh at portrait distance. The 85/1.8 is an effective design with 5 elements in 4 groups. Center resolution is right there at f1.8, edge-to-edge sharpness (APS-C) at f4, peak at f8 with maximum resolution over the image frame. Chromatic aberrations are kept well under control.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 29°
Close distance: 1.0m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: T-60
Optics: 5 elements in 4 groups
Weight: 445g
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 24°
Close distance: 1.0m
Smallest f-stop: f22
Filters: 48mm
Hood: T-50
Optics: 5 elements in 4 groups
Weight: 278g
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 18°
Close distance: 1.5m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 58mm
Hood: T-60
Optics: 6 elements in 4 groups
Weight: 645g
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 12°
Close distance: 2.5m
Smallest f-stop: f22
Filters: 58mm
Hood: T-60 / built-in
Optics: 7 elements in 5 groups
Weight: 660g / 680g
Released in the transition period from FL to FD this lens was a budget-friendly and more compact alternative to the FL 35/2.5, marketed as allround "snapshooter" by Canon. It is very sharp over the image frame (APS-C) right at f3.5 and improves subsequently until f5.6 where overall definition is excellent. Chromatic aberrations are virtually absent. Out of focus rendition is smooth for close ups at wide apertures. This is a great performer if mere speed is secondary.
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 64°
Close distance: 0.4m
Smallest f-stop: f16
Filters: 48mm
Hood: W-50
Optics: 6 elements in 6 groups
Weight: 270g
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 18°
Close distance: 1.5m
Smallest f-stop: f22
Filters: 48mm
Hood: T-50-2
Optics: 4 elements in 3 groups
Weight: 434g
Images courtesy of Baris S. Bille
Angle of view: 12°
Close distance: 2.5m
Smallest f-stop: f22
Filters: 48mm
Hood: built-in
Optics: 5 elements in 4 groups
Weight: 555g
A number of Canon FL lenses are measurably radioactive. The main source of radiation is thorium oxide, added in order to improve optical performance. A common practice among lens makers up until the late 1980s, applies also to Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Leitz and others... This particular Canon FL 58/1.2 measures at about 3 µSv/h at the lens barrel. Is it dangerous? According to a statement I received from the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, the radioactive material is bound to the glass and does not free up through regular use. Thorium is an alpha emitter. Most of the radiation is already absorbed within the glass or a few mm of air. Some nuclides within its decay chain however also emit gamma radiation. Considering typical use, a photographer would be exposed to a dose of approximately 0.3mSv per year, which is one eighth of natural background radiation in Germany. The federal office considers this a relatively low risk. As a conservative estimate, professional use for 6 hours a day, 200 days per year might expose the photographer to an ocular dose of 12mSv, which is still below the safety value of 15mSv for the general public. In practice, the effective dose is even lower due to the camera body absorbing part of the radiation.
My own measurements show hardly any radiation at all within reasonable distance, stored in a cabinet or camera bag.
"To discuss the possible radiation hazard to the lens user, we take a lens emitting gamma rays at an exposure rate 180 pA/kg held 1 cm from the eye, 10 h/week during 1 y. In this highly exaggerated and unlikely situation the yearly dose equivalent would amount to 12.5 mSv, considerably less than the 50-mSv effective dose equivalent limit for eye lenses of members of the public (IAEA82). Although enhanced radiation does occasionally occur in camera lenses, we would not judge it to be a serious radiation hazard to the population."
(Waligorski et al. in Health Physics Vol. 49, No. 3, pp.491-494, 1985)
"Thorium-232 used to be added to photographic lenses in order to increase the refractive index. The use of thoriated lenses dates approximately from the late 1930s to the late 1980s. One study (Taylor et al, 1983) estimated that a professional or keen amateur photographer, carrying a camera with such a lens around the neck for several hours a day on many days of the year, could receive an annual effective dose of a few hundred µSv." (Note: 1000 µSv = 1 mSv.)
("Ionising Radiation Exposure of the UK Population", Review by the British Health Protection Agency, 2005)
"As an example, the dose rate near the viewfinder of an old Pentax camera of mine (Super Takumar lens) is roughly 100 microrad per hour - approximately ten times background. In other words, looking through the viewfinder of this camera for one minute results in the same dose that I receive every ten minutes when not using it. (…) For what it's worth, I have never had any qualms about using the camera (…). Other parts of the body might also receive an exposure, in particular the abdomen due to the camera hanging from the neck. NUREG 1717 reported an "effective dose equivalent" of 0.7 mrem per year to users of cameras employing thoriated lenses. This is the dose to the whole body that would carry the same risk as a specified dose to a single tissue or tissues (for example, the dose to the abdomen and eye). This 0.7 mrem is substantially less than 1% of the 300 mrem that we receive each year due to our exposure to background radiation."
("Radioactive Materials in camera lenses", hps.org, Source)
If you speak German, here is an interview on the matter by Swiss radio DRS: "The radiation level is negligible. For photography, no special precautionary measure is needed."
Canon FL lenses tested radioactive
FL 50/1.8 I (#58233): Up to 450 cpm / 26 µSv/h at the back lens, up to 7 cpm / 0.4 µSv/h behind camera or at the lens barrel.
FL 58/1.2 (#25516, #44528): Up to 180 cpm / 10 µSv/h at the back lens, up to 30 cpm / 1.7 µSv/h behind camera or at the lens barrel.
Canon FL lenses tested non-radioactive
FL 19/3.5 (#11404)
FL 19/3.5 R (#13870)
FL 28/3.5 (#49894)
FL 35/2.5 (#57991, #67146)
FL 35/3.5 (#30990)
FL 50/1.4 (#45231)
FL 50/1.4 II (#105855, #169030, #186836)
FL 50/1.8 II (#510473, #788954, #600493, #903701)
FL 55/1.2 (#79823)
FL 85/1.8 (#15246, #17330)
FL 100/3.5 (#14043)
FL 135/3.5 (#171757)
FL 200/3.5 (#62431)
FL 200/4.5 (#112626)
Measurements based on using "RadRate basic". All information provided to the best of my knowledge and based on sources linked above. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation.
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April Flex RM 1962 |
1963 |
April FX 1964 March 35/2.5 50/1.8 I 58/1.2 200/3.5 I August 19/3.5 September 85/1.8 October 100/3.5 |
April Pellix 1965 April 50/1.4 May 35/2.8 (FLP) 135/2.5 June 50/3.5 Macro November 19/3.5 R |
March FT 1966 September 50/1.4 I 135/3.5 200/4.5 December 28/3.5 |
1967 |
1968 March 50/1.8 II May 200/3.5 II 35/3.5 50/1.4 II July 55/1.2 |
1969 |
1970 |
March F1, FTb 1971 |
FLP: Lenses exclusively for the Pellix QL camera; will interfere with the reflex mirror in other Canon cameras
R: Retrofocus, lens design
Adaption of Canon FL or FD lenses to mirrorless digital cameras is straightforward with any mechanical adapter. (If you cant find them, try searching "FD nex" on the ugly auction site.) Make sure to activate "Shoot without lens" (or similar) in settings as the adapter does not communicate with the camera. Most adapters come with a pin to activate the aperture lever on FD lenses. This pin will interfere with a rear flange on some FL lenses and can be unscrewed. Make sure to get an adapter with a removable pin. (As far as I know, Novoflex adapters have a fixed pin.)
Canon Time Line
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_FL
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/fllenses/
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I do occasionally post a photo at The Speed of Light |
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