Imagine holding a piece of photo magic from the 1960s. That’s canon fl no.138758 for you. This lens packs a punch with its f/1.2 aperture. It lets in tons of light. Perfect for dim rooms or night shots. Weighs just 410 grams. Feels solid in your hands.
Metal build screams quality. Seven elements in five groups cut down on weird distortions. Eight blades make bokeh smooth like butter. Filter size? 58mm. Easy to find add-ons. Closest focus at 0.6 meters. Gets you close without macro fuss. Canon fl no.138758 shines in portraits.
Blurs backgrounds beautifully. Colors pop vivid and true. But watch out – it’s a bit radioactive. Thorium in glass boosts contrast. Safe to use, though. Don’t sleep with it under your pillow. This vintage star adapts to today’s cameras. Gives shots that modern glass can’t match.
What Is Canon FL No.138758? A Quick Dive
This camera grabs attention as a vintage powerhouse. Think of a fast lens for low light. F/1.2 max aperture sucks in brightness. Great for indoor snaps without flash. Focal length hits 58mm. Slightly longer than standard 50mm. Gives a natural view. No wide-angle warp.
Why collect the lens? Nostalgia hits hard. Photographers chase that old-school glow. Soft at wide open. Dreamy for portraits. Sharpens up at f/2.8. Handles modern sensors fine.
A quirky win: Buddy of mine shot a wedding with one. Guests raved about the warm tones. Felt like film even on digital.
But radioactivity? Yes. Thorium glass yellows over time. Measures low – 1.5 µSv/h from front. Safe handling. Just quirky.
- F/1.2 for killer low-light shots.
- 58mm focal length for everyday use.
- Vintage charm in every click.
How to identify lens? Check the serial on the barrel. Engraved clearly.
Canon FL No.138758 Specifications: The Nuts and Bolts
Specs tell the story. This camera boasts seven elements. Five groups. Cuts flare somewhat. Diaphragm blades? Eight. Smooth circles in highlights.
Minimum aperture f/16. Stop down for landscapes. Closest focus 0.6m. Magnification 0.117x. Not macro king, but close enough.
Filter thread 58mm. Standard size. Cheap UV protectors fit.
Dimensions: 64.5mm diameter, 52.5mm long. Lightweight at 410g. Easy carry.
From Canon docs, the original price was 33,800 yen in 1966. That’s about $300 today adjusted.
Canon fl 138758 specifications shine in build. All metal. No plastic junk. Focus ring silky smooth.
A painful flop: Early users hated yellowing glass. Time fixes it with UV light. Place in the sun for weeks.
Table of Key Specs:
| Feature | Detail |
| Focal Length | 58mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Weight | 410g |
| Filter Size | 58mm |
Canon fl no.138758 focal length barrel feels premium. Engravings crisp.

Performance Review: Sharpness, Bokeh, and Quirks
It delivers mixed bag performance. Wide open at f/1.2? Soft. Glowy. Perfect for artsy portraits. Aberrations pop up. Spherical ones add dreaminess.
Stop to f/2. Contrast jumps. Sharpness hits good levels. By f/5.6, razor sharp on 30MP sensors.
Bokeh? Creamy. Out-of-focus areas melt away. Great for isolating subjects.
Colors? Warm, saturated. Vintage vibe. Flare? Prone to it. Use a hood always.
The sharpness and performance get rave reviews. Lens Legend calls it “artistic tool.”
Radioactivity adds edge. Boosts refractive index. But yellow glass. Fix with sunlight.
A random observation: In 2025, folks pair it with Fuji for film sims. Matches perfectly.
Canon fl no.138758 vs other FL-mount lenses? Faster than 50mm f/1.8. More bokeh power.
- Soft wide open for creative shots.
- Sharp stopped down for details.
- Flare control needs a hood.
Is canon fl no.138758 compatible with modern cameras? With adapters, yes.
Low-Light Magic
Dim scenes shine. F/1.2 lets fast shutters.
Aberration Talk
Ghosting in bright light. Embrace or avoid.
Compatibility: Adapting Canon FL No.138758 to Mirrorless and DSLR
Old meets new. Canon fl no.138758 uses FL mount. Pre-FD era. Adapters exist for Canon R, Sony E, Fuji X.
How to adapt to mirrorless? Grab a cheap FL-to-EF adapter. Then EF-to-mirrorless. Or direct ones.
On a DSLR? FL to FD converter works. But manual everything.
Focus peaking helps. Mirrorless feature nails manual focus.
Canon fl mounting compatibility quirks: Preset aperture. Twist ring to stop down. No auto.
Anecdote: I adapted one to the Sony A7. First shots blurry. Forgot to stop down. Flop turned win after practice.
Canon fl mount lens canon r fd adapters cost $20-50. Cheap entry.
Tips: Check infinity focus. Some adapters off by mm.
- Direct adapters for mirrorless.
- Manual focus only.
- No electronic links.
Canon fl no.138758 adapter mirrorless opens worlds. Try it.
Care and Maintenance: Keeping Your Canon FL No.138758 Fresh
Vintage needs love. Canon fl no.138758 care and maintenance guide starts with cleaning. Soft brush for dust. Lens cloth for smudges. No harsh chemicals.
Yellow glass? Sunbathe it. UV clears thorium haze.
Store dry. Silica packs fight fungus.
Condition matters. Check for oil on blades. Sticky apertures kill shots.
Expert tip: Service every decade. Pros fix haze.
A gritty detail: Thorium radiation. Low dose. But don’t lick it.
Random tangent: Saw a collector drop one. Glass survived. Metal dented. Tough bugger.
- Clean gently weekly.
- Store in case.
- UV treat yellowing.
Film camera lens loves proper care. Lasts forever.
Resale Value and Where to Buy Canon FL No.138758 Safely
Value holds steady. The price value in 2025? $150-300 mint. eBay listings show $149 for almost mint.
Why? Collectors hunt vintage. Radioactivity adds novelty.
The resale value 2025 up 10% per trends. Demand for adapters boosts.
Where to buy safely? eBay, Etsy, KEH. Check seller ratings.
Canon fl 138758 for sale often with caps. Bargain hunt.
Case study: One sold for $236 on Etsy. 92% condition. No yellowing.
Flop alert: Fakes exist. Check series like 138758.
- Mint ones fetch $250+.
- Bundles with adapters save cash.
- Local shops for hands-on.
Canon fl 138758 collector lens draws enthusiasts.
Usage Tips: Getting the Most from Canon FL No.138758
Shoot smart. Usage tips for film/DSLR: Wide open for portraits. Stop down for the streets.
On film? Pairs with Canon FX. Vintage match.
Digital? Use live view. Nail exposure.
Experiment bokeh. Backlit leaves glow.
A vivid anecdote: Shot a foggy morning. Canon fl no.138758 caught ethereal light. Win.
Offbeat tip: Sock as hood in pinch.
Canon fl lens vintage quirks: Preset ring. Practice flips.
- Portraits at f/1.2.
- Landscapes at f/8.
- Low light, no flash.
Why collect the canon fl no.138758 lens? Unique renders.
Conclusion
Canon fl no.138758 packs vintage punch. Fast aperture, solid build, dreamy bokeh. Adapts easy to modern gear. Care keeps it sharp. Value stays strong. Grab one, shoot away. Your photos gain soul. Hunt on eBay today – unlock that retro magic.
FAQs
What is Canon FL No.138758?
It’s a vintage 58mm f/1.2 lens from Canon. Known for low-light prowess and creamy bokeh. Serial 138758 marks a specific unit.
How to Identify Canon FL No.138758 Lens?
Look for engraved serial on barrel. Check FL mount, 58mm filter, metal build. Yellow glass hints thorium.
Is Canon FL No.138758 Compatible with Modern Cameras?
Yes, with adapters. Works on mirrorless like Sony or Canon R. Manual focus only.
Canon FL No.138758 Sharpness and Performance?
Soft at f/1.2 for dreamy shots. Sharpens at f/2.8. Great colors, but flares easy.
Where to Buy Canon FL No.138758 Safely?
Try eBay, Etsy, or KEH. Check reviews, condition. Prices $150-300 in 2025.
References:
- Canon Camera Museum: https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/fl107.html
- Lens Legend Review: https://lenslegend.com/canon-fl-58mm-f1-2-review/
- Wikipedia Canon FL Mount: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_FL_lens_mount
- eBay Listings: https://www.ebay.com/b/Canon-FL-f-1-2-Camera-Lenses-58mm-Focal/3323/bn_110050321
- Zero Optik: https://www.zerooptik.com/lenses/canon-fl
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