Focal Lenght: 24mm
Max Apeture: 2.8
Lens Mount: M42
Min. Focus: 0.45 mm
Filter Size: 52mm
Weight: More than 220g, less than 250g
Coated: Yes
Version: n(ew)FD
LENS STORY
You might recall one of my goals in photography was to own a camera and lens combo from each major camera mount.
This lens is the choice for Canon FD, paired with a lovely Canon T70. (I was itching to try a more automated and battery-dependant camera.) The T70 came with a programmable back, so I was itching to shoot some star trails on film. Lens reviews are a factor as well, I had already tried and liked the Olympus OM 24mm 2.8, but since it was stolen, I decided to try Canon’s offering.
HANDLING
Lenses from this age moved from heavy, metal hulking beasts to using more and more plastic. Now, vintage lens afficianados might flinch at the thought, but this type of plastic, feels more solid than the one used in the 90s. The 24mm Canon isn’t all plastic, incorporating metal in the mount and barrel.
It’s on the small lens and it fits perfectly on the Sony a7 and even better on the Canon T70.
I do compare it at times to the Carl Zeiss Flektogon 20mm and the smaller size makes it a more pleasant shooter for me.
OPTICAL PERFORMANCE
It’s no secret, I’d rather go with a 50mm or longer focal lenght, but now and then I get the itch to go wide.
My closest comparisons to this lens are the Olympus & Zeiss wides I’ve shot, apart from a few third-party lenses.
You get minor vignetting wide open, but since it’s a 24mm, I don’t find that a major issue. I don’t shoot landscapes wide-open.
Contrast is good stopped down, but it left me craving just a tad more.
Sharpness was as good stopped down as expected of Canon’s of this age, althought wide open, only the center was sharp(-ish)
The mix of barrel and pincussion disctortion, althought not extreme, still bothered me. I don’t correct for it, which is on me, but still not something I enjoy seeming when editing photos.
Colors are neutral, a bit on the cold side to my eyes. I much prefer the rendering of the 20mm Flektogon and the 24mm Olympus. This is completely down to personal choice in my opinion.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a good lens, it’s on par with it’s competitors and if you had a choice between Olympus and Canon for their 24mm, you wouldn’t go wrong with either.
The only thing I would consider when picking is which system I use mainly. Mirrorless has no issues with either, but both Olympus OM and m42 can(do your research before trying) fit both on Mirrorless and a DSLR, as well as a film camera.
