Canon FD Lenses - Cinematic Video and Videography with Vintage Lenses.
When it comes to creating cinematic videos, there’s something about the look and feel of vintage lenses that keeps drawing me back. One of my favorite aspects of using them is how they add character and texture to every shot. Today, I want to share a bit about my process of using Canon FD lenses in my work and why they’ve become an essential part of my toolkit.
Why Vintage Lenses?
For me, it’s all about character. Modern lenses are fantastic - sharp, fast, and reliable. But vintage lenses like the Canon FD series bring something extra to the table: imperfections that feel human. These lenses don’t just capture an image, they evoke a feeling. Whether it's the softness at the edges or the slight flare that adds atmosphere, vintage lenses help me create videos that feel alive, organic, and full of depth.
My Go-To Lenses
In my video productions, I rotate between a few trusty Canon FD lenses:
Canon FD 28mm f/2.8: This lens is perfect for wide shots, especially when I want to capture an immersive sense of place. The natural field of view makes it ideal for storytelling, whether I’m filming landscapes or family moments.
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4: A favorite of many filmmakers, this lens shines when I need that creamy, cinematic bokeh. It’s my go-to for intimate close-ups, where I want the focus to fall off beautifully and highlight my subject in a soft, natural way.
Canon FD 35mm f/2: Somewhere between the wide and the close, this lens offers versatility. I love it for handheld shots that require a bit more flexibility. It’s sharp but still carries that vintage warmth that I seek in my work.
How I Use Them in My Projects
I use these lenses not only for their aesthetic qualities but also for the way they make me think differently about framing and light. They slow down the process in a way that feels more intentional, more connected. For example, when shooting with the 50mm f/1.4, I’m conscious of how every subtle shift in focus can transform the emotional tone of a scene.
Whether it’s a family video where I’m capturing small, everyday moments, or a larger project that needs a touch of nostalgia, these lenses help me achieve that signature look. The manual focus and exposure control force me to be more present during the shoot, which is something I appreciate in an era of autofocus and auto-everything.
Vintage Lenses vs. Modern Lenses in Filmmaking
In the world of filmmaking, there’s often a debate between using vintage and modern lenses. Each has its own strengths, but for me, it boils down to the type of feel and atmosphere I want to create in my films.
The Clinical Precision of Modern Lenses
Modern lenses are designed to be optically flawless. They offer incredible sharpness, minimal distortion, and advanced coatings to reduce flare and chromatic aberrations. When you’re shooting with something like a modern Canon RF lens, you’re getting precision-engineered glass that delivers crisp, clean images. This can be especially useful for commercial work, where clarity and detail are paramount.
However, this technical perfection can sometimes feel too clinical. The images are sharp but often lack the organic warmth that I crave when telling a story. Modern lenses give you exactly what you see - clean and true - but sometimes that clinical precision can strip away some of the emotion or atmosphere I’m aiming for in my cinematic projects.
The Cinematic Charm of Vintage Lenses
Vintage lenses, like my Canon FD collection, are the opposite in many ways. The image quality is softer, less perfect, and that’s exactly where their charm lies. When filming with these lenses, the slight imperfections - like the softening around the edges, the unique bokeh, or the subtle flares - contribute to a more film-like look. It’s as if these lenses were built to evoke nostalgia, capturing light in a way that feels more emotional and textured.
In contrast to the clinical sharpness of modern lenses, vintage lenses produce images that feel more cinematic and organic. The slight imperfections and quirks of these lenses bring a tangible character to the footage, which is why many filmmakers choose them to give their projects a timeless feel.
Conclusion: A Blend of Old and New
For me, using Canon FD lenses is about more than just achieving a vintage look. It’s about embracing a different way of creating, where the imperfections tell their own story. As I continue to explore filmmaking, these lenses will undoubtedly remain a key part of my creative process, blending the timeless with the contemporary.
