Canon FD 50mm f/1.4
Introduced: 1979

Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 is Canon's fast standard prime in the FD lineup — the Canon counterpart to Nikon's 50mm f/1.4 AI-S and arguably the most-iconic FD lens. The 50mm/f/1.4 combination defined Canon's late-1970s/early-1980s "Canon look" — slightly warmer rendering than Nikon's equivalents with smooth bokeh.
Key features
- 50mm focal length on 35mm full-frame
- f/1.4 maximum aperture
- 52mm filter thread
- FD bayonet
- 7-element double-Gauss design
- Distinctive smooth bokeh — circular highlights, gradual transitions
Use case + rendering
- Standard prime for portraits, available-light, indoor/low-light
- Slight glow wide-open; sharp by f/2.8
- Many photographers consider this the finest FD-mount standard prime
Compatible bodies
Related lenses
- Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 — slower, smaller, cheaper alternative
- Canon FD 35mm f/2 — wider alternative
- Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 — short-tele portrait alternative