Canon FD 500mm f/8 reflex question

For those of you with Canon mirror lens knowledge, is there any significant difference between the FD Reflex 500mm f/8 S.S.C. released in 1978 and the New FD Reflex 500mm f/8 released in 1980? The only difference I can identify is the weight-- the S.S.C. version weighed 740g and the New FD weighed 705g. Otherwise, the dimensions appear to be identical.

SSC has better IQ. Harder to find though. Hope you were going to do some machine work and adapt it to EF - and NOT use an adapter with glass in it.

gasrocks wrote in post #12221962
SSC has better IQ. Harder to find though. Hope you were going to do some machine work and adapt it to EF - and NOT use an adapter with glass in it.

Not going to use adapter glass. The Canon Reflex can actually focus beyond infinity, so replacing the FD mount with an EF mount will work just dandy. There are a few guys on here who've done it and say it's surprisingly easy, with no machining necessary apart from drilling out some screw holes in the EF plate. The V5+ AF chip with Trap Focus is also highly recommended for this particular MF lens.

So... to get back to your other point, the 1980 version specifically doesn't have SSC coating? I read that with the introduction of New FD, only the cheapest Canon lenses, ie the 50mm 1.8, didn't get the SSC coatings, so they stopped marketing that distinction.

I have converted 3 FD 500/8 and sold them. Probably should have kept one for myself. Get the SSC version.

Yes .. from 80 almost of canon lenses are SSC even if it's not written on them.
Canon 500 seems to be really good too.
some information and SSC confirmation for new FD
http://www.mir.com.my …ources/fdlenses​/500mm.htm

As far as I know new FD don't have the tiring silver ring to fasten the lens to the body. And I imagine with all FD it may cause some difficulties to adapt to EF mount with the silver fasten ring.

The 500/'8 that is SSC has SSC written on it in red next to the serial number.