Production
1975 – 1990
Country
Japan
Optical
-
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Canon FD 85mm f/1.8
Canon New FD
Overview
The Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 is the portrait lens that proved you didn't need f/1.2 to get stunning results. Released alongside its faster f/1.2L sibling, the f/1.8 offered 90% of the performance at a third of the price. Working photographers loved it — lighter, sharper wide open, and fast enough for any portrait situation. It became the sensible choice, and decades later it remains one of the best values in portrait lenses.
Verdict: The smart choice for portrait shooters. It won't give you the f/1.2L's dreamy glow or Instagram clout, but it will give you consistently beautiful portraits without drama. If you shoot portraits and want value, this is the Canon FD lens to own.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Provides good subject separation and background blur at f/1.8, though not as creamy as the 85mm f/1.2L.
Color
Excellent color balance, with Canon's signature warm rendering.
Sharpness wide open
Not very sharp wide open at f/1.8, but sharpness improves significantly when stopped down to f/2.8.
Flare resistance
Flare and ghosting are well-suppressed thanks to Canon's Super Spectra multi-layer coating.
Contrast
Moderate contrast wide open, improving to good by f/4.
Vignetting
Present wide open, but mostly gone by f/4.
Community Insights
What people love
- Sharp wide open (sharper than f/1.2L at same aperture)
- Half the weight of the f/1.2L
- One-third the price
- Beautiful, predictable bokeh
- Canon's flattering color science
- Excellent build quality
- Perfect portrait focal length
- Easy to find, affordable
What people dislike
- Not as 'special' as the f/1.2L
- No aspherical element
- f/1.8 may not be fast enough for some
- Less extreme subject separation than f/1.2
- Boring compared to character lenses
- 85mm can be tight indoors
Pro Tips
- If you're choosing between this and the f/1.2L, start here — it's 90% as good for 30% the price
- f/2-2.8 is the sweet spot for portraits
- 85mm on APS-C becomes ~127mm — may be too tight
- Great for headshots, half-body, even full body outdoors
Sample Photos
Sources (3)
unknown-
https://www.canonclassics.com/canon-nfd-85mm-f1.8/10-75/
unknown-
https://casualphotophile.com/2020/09/23/canon-fd-85mm-f-1-2-review/
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 is the portrait lens that proved you didn't need f/1.2 to get stunning results. Released alongside its faster f/1.2L sibling, the f/1.8 offered 90% of the performance at a third of the price. Working photographers loved it — lighter, sharper wide open, and fast enough for any portrait situation. It became the sensible choice, and decades later it remains one of the best values in portrait lenses.