Decipher Canon FL lenses? (50-58mm) - Impossible?

[georgegrant]

Holla,

I am currently working on deciphering FL lenses - unfortunately most of the FL lenses don't have the usual factory codes on the back, so all we can work with is the serial number or look for the "II" mark after the aperture - However:

The biggest issue is the FL 58/1.2 - there are two versions, one started in 1964 and the newer one in 1968 - however contrary to (some?) FD variations, the 'second edition' is not market with a "II" on the lens ring. At least I never saw one, maybe you have.

Another topic is the FL 50/1.4 - we have 3 different versions at least according to wikipedia - I once came across one that had the "II" marking (#125957), however how do we differentiate the first two versions, the one from 1965 basically being the first one, then a mark one in 1966 - anyone ever seen a FL50/1.4 I ?

The FL 50/1.8 seems also to have 2 versions - not sure if "II" markings ever were used for the 1.8 - I have two and they have a build difference. The first one (#103259) has no A/M switch and is roughly 0.8cm shorter than my second one (#643157) which has an A/M switch - ist that the II?

Unfortunately information on FL lens variations is hard to find which is a real pity, not just for collectors but also when it comes to usage - build like a tank, the FL mount is at least in my opinion the easiest to handle and a bit of radioactivity is always good In all seriousness, let's try to solve that mystery, I am sure a lot of you have some FL 50's laying around.

If we get enough information I'll try to buy each version, I'll do a proper documentation and put it online somewhere so people can have a reference.

Here the list according to wikipedia and lens-db:

FL58/1.2 - 1964*
FL58/1.2 II - 1968

FL55/1.2 - 1968

FL50/1.4 - 1965*
FL50/1.4 I - 1966
FL50/1.4 II - 1968

FL50/1.8 - 1964*
FL50/1.8 II - 1968

*radioactive

[Slalom]

Not sure if you have seen this:
https://global.canon/en/c-museum/series_search.html?t=lens&s=fl

[georgegrant]

[55]

[stevemark]

[georgegrant]

Yes, posting photos will be very helpful, especially about the 1.2 and 1.4 versions. My goal is to make a list and figure out how many of each version were produced, after all at some point in time that information might be important for collectors.

Thanks to Slalom we now know at least how to differentiate the first and second version of the FL58/1.2


FL58/1.2 Version I





FL58/1.2 Version II




In addition to the 1.2, let's also see some photos for the 50mm/1.4 versions and find that mystical first version even Canon didn't have an image of

Cheers,
George

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