Canon LTM Canon 100mm f/3.5 LTM lens

[bennyng]

ha!

Benny, that is a lot of 100mm's.

Well, like they say, you can't have too much of a good thing. But honestly, some of these have a fogged rear element. So I kept going till I get good ones.

Hi Benny,
How do the black 100mm's compared to the earlier ones in your opinion? I am thinking about picking up a late one, as I now have a Canon 7 and a VT.
Good Lens?
-Dan

Hey Dan! I like both versions very much. However, think the slightly larger barrel on the all black type makes it earier to change the aperture and focus. Image wise, they are about the same, if both are good/clear copies. However, being vintage, results from copy to copy can vary greatly due to inconsistent glass condition. If you are going for one, try to get one that's already bundled with the V type 100mm finder. They do pop up once in a while. Obviously, for the Canon 7, it's plug and play as the 100 frameline is built in. I'm sure you'll enjoy this pocket rocket although I thought you would prefer the Canon 100mm f/2.0 LTM for it's speed.

Hi Benny,
Do you have variation 7 of the 100mm? I hear they are somewhat rare.

Yes. I do have some. They are harder to come by and are physically different from earlier black lenses. Cost can be quite prohibitive compared to earlier versions.

Cheers,

 

[bennyng]

The lens appears to be in good shape, as represented by the seller, but I did notice that the aperture ring turns like a hot knife through butter. Is it supposed to be that loose? Is it supposed to stop at the marked f-stops, or just fly back and forth? Did I get a lens repaired by someone who didn't know what they were doing?

dbm,

The earlier version does not have click stops on the aperture ring. Also, it's almost freely rotating because the grease at the aperture ring has probably dried up. If this is the case, is a good chance that the focusing barrel is also either very loose or tight at some spots. When you send the lens in for servicing, tell the tech to re-lube both the focusing helicoid and the aperture ring and you'll have the lens working beautifully as it originally was before.

Cheers,

 

[dbm]

Will have it checked out, thanks Benny

Will have it checked out, thanks Benny

dbm,

The earlier version does not have click stops on the aperture ring. Also, it's almost freely rotating because the grease at the aperture ring has probably dried up. If this is the case, is a good chance that the focusing barrel is also either very loose or tight at some spots. When you send the lens in for servicing, tell the tech to re-lube both the focusing helicoid and the aperture ring and you'll have the lens working beautifully as it originally was before.

Cheers,

According to the serial # and Peter Kitchingman's site, this would be a "type 3" version of the lens (With 7 total versions out there). The distances are in feet only, and the ordering of the lens size, then aperture matches - so that looks correct.

Not the earliest, but not the last of the chrome/black either.

Thanks for the info, and I'll be sure to include that with the work order when I choose a place to have the whole kit worked on.

 

[Nokton48]

After some hard looking, I just bought a black and chrome 100mm F3.5 in really nice condition. The previous owner says he used it to photograph Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Coltrane and other famous jazz musicians. That's just cool. Prices seem to be up on these. I paid $200 and the aperture ring may need lubrication. The seller says "it is what it is". No fungus or scratches or haze, though. After looking at this thread, I'm really looking forward to receiving it and using it on my VT and 7. Should be real nice on my Nex-3, too.

 

[Nokton48]

Picked This Up at the Post Office Today.

Picked This Up at the Post Office Today.

After a long wait and a slight delivery snafu. Here it is at last, and works great on Nex-3. Surprisingly small little guy, with beautiful background imaging. Real real sharp too.

I like it! Will also be great on my VT, Canon 7, and 7s bodies.

 

[bennyng]

Very nice Dan! Looks to be in really good condition too. The form factor of this lens goes really well with the Sony NEX-3 too. Show some pictures when you have the chance.

Cheers,

 

[Nokton48]

Hey Benny,

Yes it's a good one. Coatings are perfect, love looking through it, and at it. Lens helical has some uneveness, and the aperture is a bit loose. So I'm guessing it needs some heavy grease repacked inside, then it will operate like new. I'll send it to Essex, along with my VT and 7S for CLA.

Should be getting my Canon 7S body from KEH in a few days. Can't wait. And my 100mm F2 from Japan.

 

[uhoh7]

from 2 nites ago w/ 100/3.5 + nex

 

[squinza]

Well, M8 + 100/3.5 chrome

Lisbona - Sé patriarcal by Il conte di Luna, on Flickr
Vignetting added in PP...

 

[sleepyhead]

Everything I've seen from this lens appears sharp and pleasing to the eye!

 

[bennyng]

Everything I've seen from this lens appears sharp and pleasing to the eye!

It's not called a pocket rocket for nothing. You should pick one up for a spin. In some cases, won't cost more than US$150.

Cheers,

 

[squinza]

Well, it's not so bad. Needs some PP, though, my sample is low in contrast...
Another one:

Elevador da bica by Il conte di Luna, on Flickr

 

[sanmich]

Lovely results all around the place!

Would someone know how to reach the helicals of the black version for a little bath?

 

[menos]

I have a black Canon 100/2 LTM and love it.
I came on the weekend over a black 100/3.5 at a dealer.

The rear element is milky white (fogged/ haze ?).
The lens comes without anything (no caps, hood, etc…)
The barrel is not exc., but not extremely ugly either - a nice user, I guess.


Is it worth a try for a self cleaning?
How much would this be worth?

Can somebody point me to some reading, to built up my knowledge about fogging/ haze/ cleaning elements?
Why does the Canon 100/3.5 can be found with rear elements in this condition, while other elements seem fairly clean?

 

[Nokton48]

I was out shooting this evening with my new Canon 7S body, 100mm F2 and 100mm Canon Finder. As the light level dropped, I appreciated that I was using an accurate metered body, and I needed the speed of the F2. Very Very Nice, the 100mm F3.5 is a gem, but sometimes you need that lightsucking lens speed.

Milky glass elements can be caused by an outgassing from inside the glass element itself, which deposits a milky film, I was told by John Van Stelton, who is an acknowledged expert on optics. If that is what is going on, it should be able to be cleaned off. I have had John clean really-awful looking large format lenses, with 100 percent success. They look like new afterwards.

 

[menos]

Thanks for the Info!

How much would one have to sell with milky rear element and no ex condition, to be a fair deal?

 

[Nokton48]

$75-$100 As-Is??
That's a total guess on my part.

Thanks for the Info!

How much would one have to sell with milky rear element and no ex condition, to be a fair deal?

 

[menos]

Thanks, I just bought a sample from a RFF member here ;-)

 

[Nokton48]

Excellent!
Let us know how you get on with it.

Thanks, I just bought a sample from a RFF member here ;-)

 

[menos]

Excellent!
Let us know how you get on with it.

Should take some time according to my experiences with Chinese Customs :-(
I'll post photographs, as soon, as I have it.