Head to head
Canon New FD 28mm f/2.8 vs Canon New FD 24mm f/2.8
Both are the cheap, light, fully-mechanical wide primes in Canon's New FD lineup, and people shopping for a first wide angle almost always end up holding these two side by side. They share a maximum aperture, a build philosophy, and roughly the same compact footprint. The one thing that actually separates them is the angle of view: 28mm is a gentle wide that behaves a lot like your eye stepped back a pace, while 24mm pulls in noticeably more and starts to show real wide-angle character.
How they differ
The 4mm gap sounds small on paper but it changes how you shoot. At 24mm you get a wider field, more foreground presence, and stronger perspective when you tilt or step close, which makes it the more dramatic tool for interiors, landscapes, and tight spaces. The 28mm is the more forgiving of the two for general walk-around and street work; it crops less aggressively at the edges, distortion is milder, and it is easier to keep verticals clean without thinking about it. Both render with that typical New FD signature: good contrast stopped down, a slightly softer and lower-contrast wide-open corner, and pleasant color that pairs naturally with the rest of the FD glass.
Handling is nearly identical. Same plastic-shell-over-metal New FD construction, the breech-free bayonet mount with the chrome locking ring, light weight, and a close focus around the quarter-meter range. Cost and availability are where the practical decision lives. The 28mm f/2.8 was one of the most-produced FD lenses ever, so it is everywhere and routinely the cheapest clean wide you can find. The 24mm is less common and commands a higher price for equivalent condition, partly because 24mm is a more sought-after focal length. Neither is exotic, but you will pay a premium and hunt a bit longer for the 24.
Choose Canon New FD 28mm f/2.8
Pick the 28mm if you want a budget-friendly, do-everything wide that lives on the camera. It is the safer street and travel choice, the distortion is easy to manage, and you can find a mint copy for very little. Good for anyone who finds 24mm too wide or who wants a modest step out from a 35 or 50 without the dramatic perspective.
Full Canon New FD 28mm f/2.8 guide →Choose Canon New FD 24mm f/2.8
Reach for the 24mm if you actually want the wider look: architecture and interiors, environmental portraits with context, landscapes where you want foreground to read big, or any time 28mm feels like it leaves you cropped in. It rewards getting close and using perspective deliberately. Worth the extra money and search time if the wider angle is the point rather than a compromise.
Full Canon New FD 24mm f/2.8 guide →The verdict
Honestly close, and it comes down to one question: do you want a wide angle that looks obviously wide, or one that stays subtle? If you are unsure, the 28mm is cheaper and more universally useful, so start there. If you already know you crave the wider frame, the 24mm is worth the premium and you will not regret it.