Lens overview

The Canon FD 85 mm f/1.2 L (new‑FD bayonet) was marketed in March 1980 as Canon’s halo portrait prime for the FD system. It uses a ground aspherical element and Canon’s Floating System to maintain performance from close‑up to infinity. Official specs: 8 elements in 6 groups, 8‑blade diaphragm, f/1.2–16, 0.9 m minimum focus, 0.12× max magnification, 72 mm filters, 80.8 × 71 mm, 680 g.

Pricing, now: When it was released in 1980, the Canon FD 85 mm f/1.2 L sold for about ¥113,000, roughly US $500 at the time — equivalent to about US $1,900 (or ~€1,750) in today’s money. Today, clean used copies typically sell around US $700–1,200+, depending on condition/completeness.

Where it fits: It succeeds the earlier FD 85 mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical (1970s, 9‑blade breech‑lock) and precedes the EF 85 mm f/1.2L USM (1989). The L version is lighter and more compact than the S.S.C. Aspherical while retaining the aspherical/floating concept. Canon Global

Build and ergonomics

The nFD 85/1.2 L is dense but compact for an f/1.2: 680 g with a relatively short 71 mm length (FDn bayonet version). Focus is via a double‑helicoid unit; the aperture ring sits close to the mount with an “A” lock for AE bodies. The lens takes 72 mm filters; the period hood listed was BT‑72. Overall balance is good on modern mirrorless bodies with a grip.

Optical performance

• Sharpness — Center performance is surprisingly crisp even at f/1.2, with the floating group helping at near distances; stopping to f/2–2.8 tightens mid‑frame/corners. (The earlier S.S.C. Aspherical behaves similarly; both share the fast‑aperture character.) MIR
• Color & contrast — Neutral color; global contrast at f/1.2 is moderate (expected), improving stopped down. Coatings are multicoated (FD era).
• Bokeh & rendering — That f/1.2 look with strong separation. Highlight discs can show a slight onion‑ring texture from the aspheric polish; the 8‑blade iris gives polygonal stops when stopped down.
• Flare & CA — Large front element + f/1.2 means veiling flare is possible; hood recommended. Expect axial CA/purple fringing wide open on high‑contrast edges (typical of ultra‑fast 85s). (Community tests often note flare/contrast advantages for the earlier S.S.C. Aspherical).
• Distortion & vignetting — Geometric distortion is negligible; vignetting is visible at f/1.2 and eases by f/2–2.8. (Period charts list a 28°30′ diagonal angle of view).

Digital adaptation

• To mirrorless (Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, L‑mount, etc.): Simple FD→mirrorless adapters maintain infinity focus and provide complete aperture control via the adapter’s stop‑down ring. Quality options (e.g., Metabones, Simmod) are readily available. Set IBIS to 85 mm.
• To Canon EF DSLRs: FD (42.0 mm) → EF (44.0 mm) cannot reach infinity with a glass‑less ring; you need either a corrective‑optics adapter (image‑quality trade‑offs) or a mechanical mount conversion (e.g., EdMika/SIMMOD EF conversion). If conversion is done well, it preserves infinity with no extra glass.

Historical and collector context

Canon’s FD “L” line brought aspherical and special‑glass designs to professionals in the early 1980s. The nFD 85/1.2 L, launched in 1980 at ¥113,000, showcased mass production of ground-aspheric elements and a floating design in a fast portrait lens. It remains one of the defining manual‑focus 85s and is actively sought for mirrorless and cine rehousing.

Impressions

Use f/1.2–1.8 for the signature look and keep an eye on focus precision (tiny DoF). At head‑and‑shoulders distance, the lens renders with strong subject pop; for fuller‑length portraits, f/2–2.8 strikes an outstanding balance between sharpness and background softness. In backlight, use the hood and flag stray light to maintain contrast.

Sample photos

Canon FD 85mm f/1.2L Sample Photos

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Verdict — Pros & Cons

Pros

• Iconic f/1.2 rendering with excellent center detail, wide open
• Aspherical + floating design keeps quality high at close focus
• Compact for an f/1.2; 72 mm filters; robust nFD build
• Easy on mirrorless (FD→RF/Z/E etc. with infinity & aperture control)

Cons

• Axial CA & veiling flare wide open; hood recommended
• MF only
• Razor‑thin DoF demands care