the Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L

Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L

Purchased second-hand from the estate of the late Sal DiMarco, I began using this lens in late 2004. The lens had been converted from Canon FD mount to Leica-R mount some time before, probably by Marty Forscher of New York, now retired. By using the back portion of the Leitz 1:1 extension tube for the 60mm Macro-Elmarit-R, the conversion retains the FD lens' automatic diaphragm function and includes automatic coupling with the Leica-R metering sytems.

Compared with the far more expensive Leica 400mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R, the Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L is similar in design and construction (see table below). My tests of this lens show that it is capable of delivering very high resolution with high-contrast subjects however its performance with low-contrast subjects is significantly weaker. In actual use the effect of this is more muted color rendition than if a high-contrast lens were used. The tall tripod foot, which doubles as a carrying handle, does not damp vibration as well as the short tripod mount on the comparable Leica lens, so that optimum use of the Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L requires a sturdier tripod and more careful technique. The tall tripod foot also makes it more difficult to support the lens from below with the focussing hand.

The technical stuff:

		Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L	Leica 400mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R
	Length:	348 mm	365 mm
	Max diameter:	166 mm	166 mm
	Weight:	5350 grams	5500 grams
	Aperture range:	f/2.8~f/32	f/2.8~f/22
	Angle of view:	6 degrees	6 degrees
	Elements/groups:	10/8	11/9
	Near focus limit:	4 meters	4.7 meters
	Front cap:	?????	?????
	Filter size:	48mm	Series 5.5
	Lens hood:	?????	12545

Photographs made with this lens:

	Black-tailed Deer, buck with spike antlers Leicaflex SL, Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L
	Black-tailed Deer, buck Leicaflex SL, Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L
	Black Phoebe Leicaflex SL2, Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L and Leica 1.4x APO-Extender-R
	Cedar Waxwing Leicaflex SL2, Canon FD 400mm f/2.8 L