Written by: Keith Nickoson

Often referred to as the original nifty-fifty, the Canon FD 50mm f1.8 was originally designed in early the 1970’s to be used with their FD mount cameras. I’ve converted mine to EF mount and done few other custom modifications to make it the only one of its kind. It has become a dreamy throwback lens that transports images to a different time and space. I’ve given each phase of the photography in this post a unique look and feel, all the while retaining the vintage vibe.

CANON FD 50mm | MASI

The first series of photos were taken on the set of the music video I shot for recording artist Daydream Masi, for his single Lately. Lately was directed by the insanely talented and humble Kenny Okagaki of Interscope Records. The Canon FD 50mm was used throughout the filming of Masi’s shoot, and after observing the qualities of the lens in this post, let’s see if you can spot it in the video. Link to the video HERE.

*Canon FD 50mm f1.8 | Daydream Masi on the set of the music video “Lately” - Photo by: Keith Nickoson*

The panels above are pictures of my amazing and dedicated crew from the Daydream Masi video. Steadicam Operator: Tim Figuera (top two panels); Gaffer: Ryan Keeper (lower left panel); First Assistand Camera: Mike Bacanu (lower right panel).

CANON FD 50mm | MAIN GALLERY

*Canon FD 50mm f1.8 | Photo by: Keith Nickoson*

I continued to focus on the same floodlight array over the course of the evening on the 4th of July. You can see the mild softness gradually expand into an enormous bloom that dominates the frame.

*Canon FD 50mm f1.8 | Note the color-shift that occurs between the lighting array on the left and the one on the right. Unedited. Straight from the camera. - Photo by: Keith Nickoson*

Fireworks and photography are kind of a cheap shot, but I couldn’t resist seeing what this lens would do. The snaps produced some really cool looking little twinkles, along with some uniquely shaped and massive blooms.

I’ll close the post with a few ghostly images of some street lamps, but I would like to thank you for taking a look through the pictures. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the box below.