Canon's original fast FD 35 — the 35mm f/2, early versions with a concave front element.
The Canon FD 35mm f/2 was one of the original FD lenses introduced in 1971 alongside the FD mount, giving Canon's manual-focus system a fast moderate-wide prime. The earliest versions of this optic are noted for a concave front element, and it predates the later S.S.C. revision.
This is a manual-focus Canon FD lens with a fixed 35mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2. It is a fast rectilinear wide-standard prime in the early chrome-nosed FD barrel, with focus and aperture set manually. The bright aperture made it a capable low-light and general-purpose lens.
A fast 35mm sits between wide and standard, making it a natural reportage and street focal length that captures context without heavy distortion. At f/2 it works in dim light and can throw backgrounds gently out of focus, and it is well suited to documentary, travel and everyday photography.
On the used market the early FD 35mm f/2, particularly the concave-front version, has a following among collectors and adapter users. Inspect the front element and internal groups for haze, fungus and separation, check the aperture blades for oil, and test the focus and aperture rings. It adapts to mirrorless with an optics-free FD adapter.