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Recommendations

Best vintage lenses for video and cinema rigs

By the criteria below, the Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. leads: 55mm f/1.2 on Canon FD, typically $320 used. Close behind: Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2 and Pentax SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2. 8 lenses qualify.

How this list was built

  • Maximum aperture of f/2 or faster, for low light and shallow depth of field
  • Adapts to at least four modern systems, so one set covers several bodies
  • Manual focus and manual aperture throughout, which is what a follow focus needs

Ordering: Fastest aperture first, then lower typical used value. Values are used-market estimates, not appraisals, and each lens page states the basis for its range. Minimum focus distance, weight, and measured sharpness are not in the catalog, so no list ranks on them.

The 8 lenses that qualify

  1. Canon

    FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C.

    55mmf/1.2Canon FD

    Used value
    $180 to $600
    Made
    1973-1979

  2. Minolta

    MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2

    58mmf/1.2Minolta SR (MC)

    Used value
    $300 to $850
    Made
    1966-1973

  3. Pentax

    SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2

    50mmf/1.2Pentax K

    Used value
    $300 to $800
    Made
    1975-1990s

  4. Olympus

    OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 55mm f/1.2

    55mmf/1.2Olympus OM

    Used value
    $300 to $900
    Made
    1972-1984

  5. Nikon

    Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S

    50mmf/1.2Nikon F (AI-S)

    Used value
    $400 to $950
    Made
    1981-2020s

  6. Konica

    Hexanon AR 57mm f/1.2

    57mmf/1.2Konica AR

    Used value
    $500 to $1,600
    Made
    1965-1970s

  7. Minolta

    MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4

    50mmf/1.4Minolta SR (MD)

    Used value
    $45 to $170
    Made
    1977-1984

  8. Canon

    FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C.

    50mmf/1.4Canon FD

    Used value
    $55 to $200
    Made
    1971-1990s

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