Canon FD 20mm f2.8

Here's my new second favourite lens*.

It's a Canon FD 20mm f2.8. Like most FD lenses, it is lovely and solid with super-smooth focusing. No rattles, no play anywhere. Like all FD lenses the aperture ring is very, very slightly a tiny bit on the notchy side. But compared to most vintage lenses even that's pretty nice to use.

I really like using FD lenses on my Sony A7R. They are complete bargains. You get as good, if not better than, modern lens performance at a fraction of the price of a new lens. With some character thrown in. Go on, have a look for a new Sony FE mount 20mm.

As well as being a joy to use, this lens performs brilliantly.

It's super sharp with lovely colours and that very slightly 'film' look you get from FD lenses.

And even on bright sunny days (which we get once a decade here in the UK) I've seen very little evidence of flare or ghosting. (Mind you, I have been using a UV filter, it may have some coatings on it.)(You'll need some sort of filter on the lens to protect the bulging front element).

Yes there's some barrel distortion, but that's easily corrected in post processing. Personally I like to leave it as is most of the time. One of the joys of a wide angle lens is that super-close view point you can get - if anything a bit of distortion just adds.

* My favourite lens is the Canon FD 50mm f1.4.