Canon 50mm f/1.4 I or II

[conradyiu]

Dear all,

I will receive soon a black Canon 50mm f/1.4 I (early version). I would like to know the difference with the later version. I cannot find any idea in the Canon Musemum web site.

Regards,
Conrad

 

[Mackinaw]

Several years back, there was a real comprehensive review of Canon LTM lenses by a gent name Randal Hooper in "Viewfinder," the LHSA journal. He included optical diagrams, production numbers and a lot of other information. I do remember that the first version of the Canon 50/1.4 had a much different optical formula than the later version. Version 1 production numbers were also a lot less than version 2.

Peter Kitchingman's website may also be of help, though it appears to be down right now:

http://canonrangefinder.servehttp.com:8880/canonrangefinder/index.php

Jim Bielecki

 

[Sonnar2]

what kind of information do you need?

Please check this link: http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Canon_Standards.html

With regard to the optical different design of the version I, the diagram Mr. Hooper showed was probably the Fuji 50/1.2 (or Neblette is wrong in his lens design book of the 1960's). Both Canon 50/1.4 looking quite identical from outside. A big difference in lens design could easily be checked by dismounting both lenses (no major deal on these)

regards, Frank

 

[jlw]

Dear all,

I will receive soon a black Canon 50mm f/1.4 I (early version). I would like to know the difference with the later version. I cannot find any idea in the Canon Musemum web site.

Regards,
Conrad

According to Peter Kitchingman's website (which has a very comprehensive database of Canon lens type info) the ONLY difference between type I and type II is the order of the information engraved on the front ring!

Type I has its information formatted this way: "CANON LENS 50mm f:1.4 Canon Camera Co. Japan No.xxxxx"

Type II has its information formatted this way: "CANON LENS 50mm 1:1.4 No.xxxxx Canon Camera Co.,Inc. LENS MADE IN JAPAN"

Here's a link where you can read about it: click here.

 

[Mackinaw]

We had the exact same discussion with the same group of people back in 2005. See:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11297

We also never did determine if Hooper is right or wrong about the Canon 50/1.4 type 1.

Preferring controversy, i side with Hooper.

Jim B.

 

[Sonnar2]

Yes, this topic was discussed before.
Did you put both lenses apart, Brian?

In doubt cases, I "mostly" stay with Dechert. He wrote that the lens was released 1959, not 1957 as stated by Canon Museum and Hooper.

As far as "versions" are concerned, I don't count distance scales as versions, different writings in front rings, changing coating colors, and changes alike...

 

[Bill58]

I would ask Peter Kitchingham in AU--his email is peterkatcanonrangefinderdotcom or flotsamateondotnetdotau.

 

[CanonRFinder]

HI,

Sonnar is correct the 50mm f/1.4 lens did come out in August 1959 and basically the lens is the same in all three types I have identified. The differences are cosmetic only. It was one of the first lenses to use Canons new focusing system. Rather than a Rotating Threaded Helicoid (RTH) they developed a Straight Drive Double Helicoid (SDDH) system. If there are any differences internally then it would be in the type of glass that Canon used.

For all those that are interested in my Canon RF lens book. ALL the research, editing and picture taking has been completed and I hope in the next week or two to sit down with the artist and lay it all out ready for printing.......Time frame...will keep the forum updated.

Peter

 

[Sonnar2]

Hi Peter,
I wonder if this Straight Drive Double Helicoid (SDDH) was already present in the (1956) 50/1.2 or (1958) 35/1.5 with the similar outline? Or with the 50/1.8-II (1956) and 35/1.8 (1957) ?
jlw has shown how easy the optical unit of the 50/1.4 can be dismounted from the focussing unit. Probably this was a great advantage in fabrication in these days. 1956/1957 were these years when the Japanese camera industry really took off, in terms of progressive models and numbers produced. Fabrication methods had to follow the output numbers.
I'm looking forward to your book, Peter, and your opinion about the number of optical designs of the 35/2. I'm still sceptical about the theory that more than one existed.

regards, Frank

 

[CanonRFinder]

The 50mm f/1.2 had a form of the SDDH in 1956 but the SDDH with groove first appeared on the T3 50mm f/2.8 lens in February 1959 on the T6 50mm f/1.8 in May and T1 50mm f/1.4 in August. None of the 35mm wide angle lenses had SDDH. I have been asked about the 35mm f/2 lens differences a number of times but the only difference I can see is cosmetic. Unless there is a change in the glass composition I can see no internal variations from a visible point of view. Yoji Miyazaki in his Japanese/English Canon Rangefinder Camera book mentions that a second version was issued 15 months after the first, yet when I closely look at the Japanese characters they are the same in both boxes. :bang:

Beats me. Peter

 

[harry01562]

HI,

For all those that are interested in my Canon RF lens book. ALL the research, editing and picture taking has been completed and I hope in the next week or two to sit down with the artist and lay it all out ready for printing.......Time frame...will keep the forum updated.

Peter

GREAT NEWS!!! Hope you can get it out at a reasonable price, so I can buy 2 copies (1 for the shelf, 1 to work with). I have an idea what small print runs of illustrated books can cost, and my last publishing was a long time ago.... much higher now.
Many of us here should "need" to put this in our working library, and I hope you get a lot of support, financially, from the group. You aren't going to get rich, but you are going to make a lot of us happy.

Harry

 

[harry01562]

differences in 35/2

differences in 35/2

I'm another vote for cosmetic only differences in the 35/2. The lens has an exceptional design, and was one of the last RF lenses Canon made. I doubt that they would have wasted time trying to "improve" on a lens of such quality.

Harry