Which version of Canon FD 2.8/28?

[iangreenhalgh1]

Hi folks

There are two Canon FC 2.8/28s available to me at the same price, one is the newer all-black 2.8/28 with green lettering on the barrel, the other is an older 2.8/28 S.C. with the chrome locking ring and orange lettering on the barrel.

Apart from the S.C. designation and the different barrel styles, are these two lenses very similar? Which has the better IQ? I take it the S.C. version has better coatings therefore better contrast and flare resistance?

[ManualFocus-G]

The newer nFD lenses have a little button to release the lens and most have S.S.C. coating as standard (although its not indicated on the barrel, I believe). Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[casualcollector]

Graham is correct about the coatings. The Canon Museum site lists both types as 7 element, 7 group optical layout.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Yes, I've looked at a few sites and they all seem to indicate the two lenses are virtually identical, did find one comment about the nFD version having more barrel distortion but that might not be correct.