Canon 85mm F2 Serenar - opinions?

[CuS]

I just received a Canon 85mm F2 Serenar with both caps, finder and case for ~$100. It appears pristine.

I have yet to use it but I was wondering if any of you had a general opinion as to how it is best used and relative qualities.

Its to be used on a Bessa R3M Body for B&W.

Many Thanks!

 

[raid]

There is a current thread on the Canon 85mm/2 Serenar:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=693836#post693836

Take a look at it. There are several images posted.

 

[charjohncarter]

I'll start, but I won't be much help. I have two Serenars a 100mm and a 35mm. The f3.5 35mm is just awful until f8. The f4 100mm is very good all the way though the f-stops. Both lenses are high quality build, and will take a beating. I know you won't do that, but they are tough. I had haze on the 35mm which I stupidly had cleaned, I should have just thrown it out. So check for haze, the 100 was very clear.

 

[charjohncarter]

Raid beat me to it. He is much more qualified than I so you will have plenty of info.

 

[back alley]

the 85/2 canon lens is great. very sharp and very heavy.
you could use it as a club to beat off muggers.
if you don't mind the weight it's a lens you could live with.

that being said, the cv 75 is also very sharp, much smaller and lighter.

 

[ferider]

I found it impossible to focus 85/2 on the R3a wide open and close up.
You will need a very well calibrated camera, and maybe want to add
a magnifier. Other than that, hold the combo by the lens ....

Best,

Roland.

 

[charjohncarter]

OT, Raid how old is you daughter now, in those 85mm photos she looks so young?

 

[raid]

OT, Raid how old is you daughter now, in those 85mm photos she looks so young?

Dana is 4.5 years old now. She may have been 2.5-3 when the lens test was done on the tele lenses.

 

[raid]

I found it impossible to focus 85/2 on the R3a wide open and close up.
You will need a very well calibrated camera, and maybe want to add
a magnifier. Other than that, hold the combo by the lens ....

Best,

Roland.

Roland,
Could it be that something did not fit well in your R3a/85mm combo? I can focus easily with the Bessa T and my 85mm lens.

 

[ferider]

Roland,
Could it be that something did not fit well in your R3a/85mm combo? I can focus easily with the Bessa T and my 85mm lens.

I believe the T has longer EBL, Raid. Similar to the LTM cameras
the 85/2 was built for.

Roland.

 

[raid]

Roland,
This could explain the more difficult task to focus wide open with the R3a.

Here are more images taken with the Canon 85mm/1.9:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=667324