Canon LTM Repairing a Canon 50mm f/1.2

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
KarlG

KarlG

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Hi everyone,

A Canon LTM 50mm f/1.2 has come into my possession via a friend who managed to buy it and a pretty good condition Canon P as a set for $5 AUD (he doesn't shoot film or rangefinders, but he thought it "looked cool" and I might like it - a good friend indeed)

Looking through the lens, it appeared to have a fairly significant haze problem, and the rear element was chipped on one side (enough to noticeably affect image quality).

Upon opening the lens to clean it, I noticed the haze was located in the second to rear group, between the two cemented elements (i.e. way beyond my ability to get to).

The chip on the rear element is also of concern.

As the front glass, aperture & general build of this lens are in pristine condition, I was wondering if anyone here had any experience using the front elements of the 50/1.2 in conjunction with the rear element/s of another lens and, if so, which other lenses would have a suitable rear element to use?

Or is that a little ambitious & would it be better tracking down a 50/1.2 with a damaged front element (or similar) to use as parts?

Thanks!
Karl
 
A Canon P plus such a lens for $5 is a good find.
Send the lens to someone with a good reputation for cleaning and adjusting RF lenses. I sent my Canon 50/1.2 to DAG for his professional services. The lens came back to me in top shape.
 
Only the rear element of another 50/1.2 will do. This due to the specific curvature of the elements in the lens.

I wrote a page (here) on how to service these lenses yourself. It's quite simple, but proceed at your own risk (of course).
 
Karl - congratulations on the good buy. That P is a lovely camera.

Now the bad news. I've had two 50/1.2 lenses; one like you describe. There's no-one in Australia that can repair it. Perhaps John Van Stelten (Focal Point Optics in Colorado, USA) can separate the elements, polish, reassemble and recoat the lens, but his work does not come cheap. The chip in one element indicates a lot of stress in that area already, and there woulkd be no guarantee of success.

I know this sounds terribly pessimistic, but save yourself the heartache, sell it as a parts lens or soft-focus special (as I did with mine), and move on. Get yourself a good Canon Serenar 50/1.8 to go with the P, and make some great photos.

Good luck!
 
These lenses are very prone to haze on the rear element set, along with the 1.4 and 1.8s, but not usually in between a cemented set. Are you sure it's actually between elements? I have had some of these that had really nasty haze and it wiped perfectly clean, and others where the rear element was etched and it was junk. For that price, it will be worth keeping around if you can find another lens with only a dodgy front...
 
The chip on the rear comes from a clumsy attempt at a repair, the element will have to be replaced. I sometimes come across lenses with bad front elements for a reasonable price, but not often, and the lens requires adjustment if the elements are changed. I have had a lens with a similar type of chip, but it had no noticeable effect on my pictures.
 
same thoughts here

same thoughts here

ChrisN said:
Karl - congratulations on the good buy. That P is a lovely camera.

Now the bad news. I've had two 50/1.2 lenses; one like you describe. There's no-one in Australia that can repair it. Perhaps John Van Stelten (Focal Point Optics in Colorado, USA) can separate the elements, polish, reassemble and recoat the lens, but his work does not come cheap. The chip in one element indicates a lot of stress in that area already, and there woulkd be no guarantee of success.

I know this sounds terribly pessimistic, but save yourself the heartache, sell it as a parts lens or soft-focus special (as I did with mine), and move on. Get yourself a good Canon Serenar 50/1.8 to go with the P, and make some great photos.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I second this suggestion.
 
Thank you all for your feedback! I had suspected that it may be a case of selling the lens for parts. Oh well, at least there's a lovely Canon P sitting at home waiting for film!

I may have to look into the suggested Canon Serenar 50/1.8 - I've heard very good things about this lens. I've also got a Canon Serenar 35/2.8 (the little chrome one) sitting in a drawer somewhere, so it may be time to give that lens another go as well!
 
buzzardkid said:
Only the rear element of another 50/1.2 will do. This due to the specific curvature of the elements in the lens.

I wrote a page (here) on how to service these lenses yourself. It's quite simple, but proceed at your own risk (of course).
Click to expand...

Very good pictorial, thank you. I'll need to address my oily blades at some point soon.
 
You could try going through the front instead. I've had to do this on a couple lenses. Looking through the tutorial from buzzardkid doesn't get much better in terms of instruction. The lens you speak of with the haze shouldn't be cemented in. Give the tutorial a look over and see for yourself. It's either the one with the spanner wrench retaining ring or it's the one that just threads off. Some even just slide out if you turn it upside down (it might need a light tap to loosen it out.
 
Never Satisfied said:
Hi Karl, where in Australia are you?

I'm in Melbourne and have a parts 50mm f1.2 with some good elements in it.

Andrew.
Click to expand...
Hi Andrew,

I'm in Sydney at the moment, but I come down to Melbourne fairly frequently for work. I'll get in touch when I'm next in the area!

Cheers
Karl
 
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