This is a wide-angle zoom lens covering focal lengths from 24mm to 35mm, and is the world’s first zoom lens to implement an aspherical lens system. Previously, wide-angle zoom had characteristics conflicting with image quality and a compact and lightweight structure. As a result, ultra-wide angle zooming was viewed to be difficult.
In addition to the 2-group zoom optical system used in the FD35-70mm f/2.8-3.5 S.S.C. (released in December 1973) and the FD28-50mm f/3.5 S.S.C. (released in July 1976) that have excellent performance on par with a single lens and have gained much recognition since their release, this lens implements an aspherical optical system in part of the optical system, almost completely compensating for aberrations occurring due to a wider angle and a more compact and lightweight structure. Despite having a short focal length of 24mm, this is a high-performance wide-angle zoom lens that is extremely compact and has no loss of focus and image quality through zooming.
It also incorporates a floating system aimed at compensating for close range aberration to offer uniform high definition throughout the entire frame from infinity to close distances.