? about canon rf lenses for an m3

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subman60

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I purchased a nice m3 about a month ago and know of two Canon rf lenses that as of a 2 months ago were for sale at an antique store about an hour from home. They have been there for over a year and I'm woundering if they would work with my m3 or if they are even worth a look. I don't know much about them since last time I saw them didn't have the m3. What I do remember, both have chrome barrels, one is a telephoto believe 135mm the other I believe is a wide angle, both have leather cases and finders. Is it worth my time to make a special trip to check them out (will they work on the m3 and if so are they a good lens). What should I look for other than fungus and what about pricing?

Thanks for your help,
Mark
 
Canon had a number of different FL lenses so prices could be only given in a range. So, anywhere from ~$100.00 to whatever your wallet will bear. That's not to say anyone would take advantage of you.
With specific information it's easier to narrow down values.

With an ltm adapter both of them should fit but The M3 doesn't have a frameline wider than 50mm so you would want to have a finder to match the WA. The camera would still focus with the RF.

Fungus, oily blades, clean glass, (no marks, scratches) smooth focus and physical damage to the barrel and mounting threads themselves.
 
I've owned many Canon lenses over the years, and I currently use a 50mm 1.4 (with adapter) quite often. There is a 35mm 2.8 that is very compact that I enjoy using as well. I had a whole Canon L1 rangefinder kit, including the 135mm, and I think that I used that lens once. I just have no need for that length, especially on a rangefinder. The L1 had a neat "zoom" viewfinder that made using longer lenses easier, but still, I found little use for it. The 85mm Serenar is another gem.
 
I probably would prefer something shorter than 135mm also, say 85mm or 100mm. But rangefinder items don't show up in my neck of the woods to often and if they do they usually are over priced. If I remember prices the 135mm was a little over $100 and the wide wasn't much over that. Plus the dealer has had them for over a year so they might come down.
 
Mark, Canon RF lenses in LTM are all usable on the M3 with the correct LTM-M adapter. I have the Canon 19/3.5, 35/2, and the 50/1.2 which all have the adapter permanently mounted on them. The price will depend on the lens and condition.
 
Went by the store that has them today and got more info. They are both canon Serenar lenses. One is 135mm f4 the other is 35mm f3.5. Both have there leather case and aux finder. At f4 & f3.5 they aren't as fast as I would like them to be. The seller is asking $125.00 for each lens.
 
I always use KEH as the reference point. They tend be a bit higher, but they have a return policy and warantee. If u buy from someone that has neither, factor in what the lower price should be. Here is link to canon ltm lenses..

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Co...h-Lenses?s=1&bcode=CR&ccode=6&cc=81086&r=WG&f

Canon or any ltm lens from that period or earlier will tend not to be as contrasty as the modern designs, which for b&w I happen to like very much.. I have several canon rf lenses. They are very good quality..

U should also look into voightlander lenses as an alternative as well.

Good luck
Gary
 
subman60 said:
I purchased a nice m3 about a month ago and know of two Canon rf lenses that as of a 2 months ago were for sale at an antique store about an hour from home. They have been there for over a year and I'm woundering if they would work with my m3 or if they are even worth a look. I don't know much about them since last time I saw them didn't have the m3. What I do remember, both have chrome barrels, one is a telephoto believe 135mm the other I believe is a wide angle, both have leather cases and finders. Is it worth my time to make a special trip to check them out (will they work on the m3 and if so are they a good lens). What should I look for other than fungus and what about pricing?

Thanks for your help,
Mark
Click to expand...

RFF is unusual having a dedicated Canon Rangefinder forum, see http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=100

there is lots of info there.

Stephen
 
Can't really find much on pricing for either lens on the net right now. The 35mm f3.5 is of more interest to me but I think the owner wants to sell them as a set. I'm not sure what to offer I know his asking price of $125.00 each is more than I want to pay but I don't want to be offensive either. I was thinking something like $180 to $190 for the pair. Also excuse my ignorance, 1st time with anything other than slr or fixlens rf, but these two lenses will work with the rangefinder on the camera?
 
The M3 has internal framelines for 50, 90, and 135mm lenses. You will need to use the external 35mm finder for the 35mm lens. yes, it will work, but you'll need to focus using the focusing patch in the camera, and use the external finder mounted on the shoe to compose. No issues with the 135mm.

Go ahead and offer $180, the worst thing he'll said is no or come back with a counter 🙂

Good luck
 
Have you checked the lenses with a flashlight re: haze, fungus, etc.?

According to Peter Kitchingman's book on Canon RF lenses, the Canon 35/3.5 was made for a brief period in 1950/51, when it was replaced by a 35/3.2 lens that continued in production until 1954. One doesn't hear much about the 35/3.5 these days, perhaps b/c it's been overshadowed by the 35/2.8. In any case, if it's in good condition, it might be a nice lens for a vintage look (i.e., lower contrast than a modern lens).
 
BTW, Canon made some outstanding RF lenses in the '50s and '60s. Check out the Canon forum here for discussion and photos taken with some of these. For your M3, one of the superb Canon 50s is well worth looking for: 50/1.8, 50/1.4 or 50/1.5. Although prices among these vary, they are almost always less expensive than Leica lenses of the same era, and yet the Canon lenses are not lesser lenses in any way (assuming good condition).

One member here, Dante Stella, has written a useful article on Canon lenses for Leica LTM rangefinders here: http://www.dantestella.com/technical/canoleic.html

He does not discuss the 35/3.5, but he does briefly discuss the 135.
 
Owner will take $90.00 for the 35 mm f3.5 or $190.00 for it and the 135 f4. I 'm sure I want the 35mm
but don't know about the other lens. Not much info about the f4 version out there, lots about the f3.5
that seems to be positive though. How much difference can there be in the 2?
 
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