Canon 1.4/50mm question

[Papercut]

Got a quick question for the Canon/lens gurus out there. After reading about and seeing some of the pics from the Canon 1.4/50mm (ltm), I picked one up on ebay (currently waiting for the first test rolls to be developed/scanned)...I went back through some of my long-forgotten Canon SLR negs and found a lot of my favorite shots were done with the FD 1.4/50mm (sold long, long ago)... In any case, I was wondering if the LTM version is the same lens or whether my results are going to be significantly different. I don't know why I didn't do this and ask this question before purchasing the LTM lens, but .... better late than never?! So, anyone know if they are the same lens design or not?

[xayraa33]

it is not 100% the same , but it has a very similar signature to tht FL series f1.4 lens and even the later FD series lens.
you will be very happy with the Canon LTM 50/f1.4 lens.
it was one of the best in the 1960s.

[Mackinaw]

No, they're different lenses. The 50/1.4 LTM design has 6 elements in 4 groups while the FD 50/1.4 has 7 elements in 6 groups. Take a look at the Canon Musuem website for more info.

As for whether the results would be significantly different, my guess is no.

Jim B.

[Papercut]

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies. Much obliged! :)

[januaryman]

I have both and love them both.

[Papercut]

Well you guys were right -- I -DO- like the lens very much. Sharp, nice OOF (transitions from focus to OOF are nice).

My one complaint is the long, long throw on the focus ring. It's helpful when focusing wide open for sure, but a bit of a pain at other times and makes quick focusing rather difficult. Other than that, though, it's a keeper!

link to test shots from first role with it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22781179@N08/sets/72157604857246891/

[Erik L]

your pics look nice and sharp, nice.

[januaryman]

I agree. Nice photos.