Canon 28mm LTM lenses

[aoresteen]

In my search for a compact 28mm lens for my IIIf & M4-P a number of folks recommended the Canon 28mm LTM lenses.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153708


I did a bit of research on the Canon 28mm lenses and here's what I was able to find out. Most of the data came from Peter Kitchgman's Canon Rangefinder site (which seems to be down), the Canon Museum, and various posts here and on other photo foums.

http://www.canon.com/c-museum/en/lens-s-wide.html?1933?2015?Americas?.html

https://web.archive.org/web/2011022...x.php?page=lenses&type=wide_angle_lenses&id=4

https://web.archive.org/web/2011022...x.php?page=lenses&type=wide_angle_lenses&id=3


There are two major versions of the Canon 28mm LTM lenses: The 28mm f/3.5 and the faster 28mm f/2.8. Garry Winogrand used the Canon 28mm f/2.8 on his M4 which has contributed to it becoming a 'cult lens'. The 28mm f/3.5 is considered by many to be a better lens.


The 28mm f/2.8 lenses - three types:

Type 1: Date produced: 4/1956 to 12/1960

Color: Chrome

serial # 10004 to 13741

labeled "Canon Camera Co. Japan"

Filter size: 40mm


Type 2: Date Produced: 1/1961 to 12/1970

Color: Chrome

Serial # 14019 to 18365

Labeled "Lens Made In Japan"

Filter size: 40mm


Type 3: Date Produced: 1/1971 to 3/1975

Color: Chrome

Serial # 19075 to 21454

Labeled "Canon Lens Made In Japan"

Filter Size: 40mm



The 28mm f/3.5 Lenses - 6 Types


Type 1 : Date Produced: 10/1951 to 12/1951

Color - Chrome

Serial # 10001 to 10339

Serenar

no filter threads


Type 2: Date Produced: 1/1952 to 11/1952

Color - chrome

Serial # 10450 to 12976

Serenar

34mm filter threads


Type 3: Date Produced: 12/1952 to 3/1953

Color - chrome

Serial # 13385 to 13655

Canon Camera Co Japan

Canon Lens f:3.5 28mm

34mm filter size


Type 4: Date Produced: 4/1953 to 9/1956

Color - chrome

Serial # 13704 to 19100

Canon Lens 28mm f:3.5

34mm filter size


Type 4 "CT": Date Produced 4/1953 to 9/1956

Color - chrome

Serial # 10001 to 10342

CT means it was made to fit Contax or Nikon RF cameras

I assume it has 34mm filter threads but I do not know for sure.


Type 5: Date Produced 1/1957 to 3/1960

Color - Chrome & black barrel,

Serial # 20001 to 21767

40mm filter thread.



I never knew that Canon made lenses for the Contax & Nikon rangefinders but given the year 1953 wide angles were rare so there must have been demand for the Canon wide angles by Contax and Nikon RF users.

From what I can find the last (Type 3) version of the 28mm f/2.8 was made only in chrome. Since it was made in the 70's one would assume it was black or black and chrome but so far I've not been able to track down any in black. Anyone have one in black?

Here's a Type 3 Canon 28mm f/2.8 in chrome:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-C...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[View Range]

Remember Peter K's Type designations are based on engravings and cosmetics. The Types are not directly related to optical formulas. (I use Peter's book so often I am wearing it out and may have to get a new copy.)

 

[aoresteen]

Remember Peter K's Type designations are based on engravings and cosmetics. The Types are not directly related to optical formulas. (I use Peter's book so often I am wearing it out and may have to get a new copy.)

Correct. I looked, but could not find, any info on the 28mm lenses that stated exactly when the optical formula was changed, if ever. I'm sure minor optical changes were made over the years but no one seems to know if there are any significant optical variations between the types.

If someone knows when optical changes were made please chime in!

 

[kermaier]

There's really only 1 type of the 28/2.8 -- the differences that Peter K notes are just variations in the beauty ring engravings over the production lifespan of the lens.

There are only really 2 types of the 28/3.5 in LTM -- the earlier, super-compact chrome-over brass E34 version; and the later, larger black-and-chrome alloy E40 version. (3 if you count the very earliest with no filter threads.)

Pretty sure there are no optical changes, other than maybe better coatings on the very late-produced examples.

 

[goamules]

It's a pretty unique design, with cemented doublets on the outside, and the meniscus single elements on the inside. Sort of a reverse Double Gauss/Planar. But in a list of about 75 Double Gauss design lenses I have, it's not on it. I think it's a unique, Canon design. Note it has rare element glass (which may be radioactive), and a magenta coating too.

 

[Dez]

Here's the 3.5 on an M4-P. It starts to look silly-small on my M5. Excellent results from this lens.



Cheers,
Dez

 

[Calzone]

Here's the 3.5 on an M4-P. It starts to look silly-small on my M5. Excellent results from this lens.



Cheers,
Dez

Dez,

The small size is a reason to buy a Barnack. I mostly use mine on a IIIG.

Cal

 

[Michael I.]

is it me or did they become somewhat rare?

 

[kermaier]

is it me or did they become somewhat rare?

Well, I think there's not as brisk a trade in these lenses as there was a few years ago, and KEH seems to have stopped stocking them regularly, but they're still readily available. A quick eBay search turns up 16 examples for sale (mixture of the Canon 28/2.8 and 28/3.5 lenses).

 

[Calzone]

is it me or did they become somewhat rare?

Prices are still low so I don't think the Canon/Seranar 28/3.5 is rare, unless you are talking of the later black version. I only paid $450.00 for a black version about a year ago, and it came with caps and vintage leather case. I had to wait around for a while for my black version so I would say that it is rare.

Some people say the chrome 28/2.8 is so small that it has bad ergonomics, I did not find that so, but the slightly longer and lighter black version (1/4" longer) is easier to focus due to its focus ring. Still a pancake like lens.

Cal

 

[goamules]

the 28mm looks like the same form factor as the 35mm 3.5 to me. It's a nice small size, but I can read the aperture, and move it, pretty easily. The focus is easy too.

 

[aoresteen]

I ended up buying a 28mm f/3.5 Serenar off eBay for $152 via an auction. It's in nice condition. Today I sent it along with an 85mm f/2 Serenar to Don Goldberg for a CLA.

Looking forward to take some pictures with it!

 

[goamules]

Good deal, it will surely be fun to try out, for that price.

 

[pepeguitarra]

Good deal, it will surely be fun to try out, for that price.

Any photos yet? did you get it back already?

 

[raid]

Canon 28/3.5 chrome

Damascus

 

[aoresteen]

Any photos yet? did you get it back already?

They came back last week and are beautiful! Like new. Don did a great job on them. Should be able to run some film through them next week.

 

[aoresteen]

Took the 28mm f/3.5 on my M4-P out today at the monthly Saturday Market and took some photos. Didn't finish the roll. Also took my M3 with the Canon 85mm f/2. Both are silky smooth and worked well. I need to get a yellow filter for the 28mm. The DAG CLAs are well worth the cost. I used the 85mm most 🙂 .

 

[Timmyjoe]

Canon 28mm f2.8 LTM Type 1, shot wide open on Leica IIIc using Tri-X, processed in HC-110.

Best,
-Tim

 

[sdotkling]

Here's the 2.8. Big fan of this lens on my M9 Monochrom.

Here's the 2.8. Big fan of this lens on my M9 Monochrom.

 

[Calzone]

I still have my black 28/3.5. A pancake lens (well almost) but with better ergonomics than the chrome version.

Right now I use it on my M6.

Cal