Canon FD 28mm f3.5 S.C. Chrome Nose - Lens Info
Canon FD 28mm f3.5 S.C. Chrome Nose
This lens was released in 1971 and saw a very short production run ending in 1973 making it a bit of a rare find these days. I’m pretty familiar with Canon’s nFD (New FD) lenses which were released in the 1980’s with Canon’s new S.S.C. (Super Spectra Coating) but what is interesting about these old “chrome nose” lese is that they feature the older S.C. (Spectra Coating) making them far more prone to flare and ghosting. If you’ve been following my vintage lens adventure you’ll know I’m a sucker for those lens imperfections. There is something so fun about getting to know a lens’ imperfections. So I picked up this lens just to test things out and see how different the S.C. coating is from the S.S.C. coating.
LENS SPECS
Release Date: 1971
Format: 35mm
Mount: FD
Filter: 55mm
Aperture Blades: 6
Aperture Range: 3.5 - 16
Min Focus Distance: 0.40m
Weight 292g
Optical Design: 6 elements in 6 groups
APS-C Conversion Approx.: 45mm
Menu Settings
In order to use this lens on your modern mirrorless camera you’re going to need to do two things. First you’ll need an FD to (your mount adapter) The second thing you’ll need to do is change your camera menu settings so that it will release the shutter without a lens on the front. Vintage lenses don’t have any electronics that communicate with the camera so the camera sees them as a body cap. You can get more info about it on this blog post: Canon Menu Settings for Shooting With Vintage Lenses
Gear Shots
Back in 1971 when Canon released the FD Chrome Nose lineup it featured an impressive lineup of wide-angle lenses. Canon was really aiming to hit the ground running with this release. All these lenses were eventually replaced in 1973 with the new bayonet mount versions of these lenses. It was at this time that Canon started applying the the new S.S.C. coating to some lenses.
- Canon FD 17 mm f/4
- Canon FD 24 mm f/2.8
- Canon FD 28 mm f/3.5
- Canon FD 35 mm f/2 (looking to buy this lens)
- Canon FD 35 mm f/3.5
A Retro Wide-Angle with Charm
There’s something magical about picking up a vintage lens and feeling the history built into its design. My Canon FD 28mm f3.5 S.C. Chrome Nose is one of those gems that reminds me why I still love shooting with old glass.
At first glance, the chrome nose gives that unmistakable vintage Canon look. When you pick it up it feels weighty in the hards. It’s all metal and glass build gives it a hearty 292 gram weight. Definitely feels dense and reassuring in the hands. I kinda miss that with modern lenses. The all-metal construction and smooth focusing ring are a joy to use, with a minimum focusing distance of just 0.40m. Not exactly “macro,” but close enough to let you get creative with foregrounds.
Optically, it’s simple but effective. It has 6 elements in 6 groups. That’s it. No crazy aspherical wizardry here, just straightforward 1970s lens design. The S.C. (Spectra Coating) helps tame flares and improve contrast, but don’t expect modern coating performance. Point this lens at the sun and you’ll get some dreamy vintage flare that can either ruin or make your shot magical depending on your creative goals.
The aperture ranges from f3.5 to f16, with 6 blades. Wide open, it’s not the brightest lens in the bag, but for a walkaround wide-angle it does the job. Stopped down, it sharpens up nicely, and on APS-C it acts more like a 45mm equivalent, a sweet spot for street shooting and everyday use.
Overall, using the FD 28mm f3.5 is like time-traveling ( I know that’s a stretch). It may not be the fastest or sharpest wide-angle by today’s standards, but it delivers a character and shooting experience that modern lenses just can’t replicate. Every click of the aperture ring, every smooth twist of the focus ring is an experience. It’s tactile, fun, and makes photography feel like craft again.
If you stumble across one of these Chrome Nose beauties, don’t hesitate. Mount it, shoot with it, and enjoy the quirks of a lens that’s been around for more than 50 years but still knows how to have fun.
