Canon 50mm f/1.8 LTM w/o haze - does it exist?

[mdarnton]

Is this true of all the black and chrome lenses or just the 50 1.8?

John

My 50/1.4 V1 is completely clear.

 

[nhchen]

Is this true of all the black and chrome lenses or just the 50 1.8?

John

I know that at least the 50 1.2 and 100 3.5 are commonly found with uncleanable haze. But I have both a chrome and black 50 1.8 that is clean without haze.

 

[Michael I.]

I have a chrome one, early canon(after they changed it from serenar) which is on sale in the classifieds at the moment (sorry for the shameless plug).

 

[lxmike]

I have a clear black version but now will be concerned about how well it will continue to age. Wish I had known this when I bought the lens a few years ago. For now it is a fabulous lens in all ways but how long will it stay clean???

A very interesting point, well made, makes you think how to store such lenses so that they do not degrade

 

[p-c]

I took the chance again. The seller described the 50/1.8 LTM explicitly as 'no haze', so I cross my fingers.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Not for me. More weight 🙂

Yes, there's that. A lot more. I prefer the heft and solid feel, (and lack of haze), but I understand.

 

[fer_fdi]

I took the chance again. The seller described the 50/1.8 LTM explicitly as 'no haze', so I cross my fingers.

if described as no haze but it is, at least you can send it back immediately as a "not as described"

 

[p-c]

if described as no haze but it is, at least you can send it back immediately as a "not as described"

Yes, a few sellers describe the lens they have for sale as no haze, but don't know that the haze is visible only under certain conditions (flashlight).

 

[css9450]

Yes, a few sellers describe the lens they have for sale as no haze, but don't know that the haze is visible only under certain conditions (flashlight).

I bought one described as "no haze" but then before shipping, they messaged me and mentioned it has haze. "Is that OK?". No. Fortunately they were very good about cancelling the order.

 

[rfaspen]

Well, my all chrome serenar 50/1.8 has no haze. Really quite clear glass in fact (and I did the flashlight test). Performance is great, but it still needs a CLA because the aperture ring is stiff and the focus is not far behind.

Its heavy. Did anyone mention that? 😉

All the reports of haze in the black and chrome 50/1.8 lenses has convinced me to avoid them (unless free or irresistibly priced). So many alternatives too 🙂

 

[Mackinaw]

All the reports of haze in the black and chrome 50/1.8 lenses has convinced me to avoid them (unless free or irresistibly priced). So many alternatives too 🙂

Take a step back, things aren’t as bleak as they seem. Several posts in this thread are hardly overwhelming evidence of a chronic haze problem. Honestly, many old lenses that I have had over the years (Canon, Nikkor, Leica, Zuiko, Takumar) have shown some sort of internal haze. Hardly surprising, since many are now 40+ years old.

Jim B.

 

[Bingley]

I have a Canon 50/1.8 -- the first chrome and black version -- with no haze. I had it serviced a few years ago by Sherry Krauter, and the glass is (still) clean and clear. Far from avoiding this lens, I think it's an excellent, underrated optic, and can be had for very reasonable prices. Here's a recent sample:
Lisbon by bingley0522, on Flickr

 

[goamules]

I've had three of them, no haze in any.

 

[Peter Jennings]

*shameless plug* As further evidence that they do exist, I have had a black barrel and a chrome barrel listed in the classifieds - both without haze - for almost a week now.

 

[Fixcinater]

I've had two black examples come through with haze. Had some mild success in polishing one of them up then put them away due to school schedule. Bought a cheap, poorly described/pictured chrome example and the front element had the sandpaper cleaning applied some time in it's life so it is worse than the internal haze.

Just bought another black one with supposedly non-functional , third time is a charm?

I've had two of the 50/1.2s and one is haze free, the other had a touch of haze that didn't clean up well but still took a nice sharp picture, just with a bit of free shadow density for those available light shooters...

 

[rjschell]

I have a haze free one - serial #201169.

 

[Fixcinater]

Just bought another black one with supposedly non-functional , third time is a charm?

Got the lens today...nope, nice layer of haze on that element just in front of the aperture.

EDIT: Haze cleaned up well...I wouldn't say it is haze free but it's 95% clean with just a minute of attention. Looking forward to trying a good copy of this lens out.

 

[dc5]

haze free and body like new, serial 3484xx...distance scale in meters.

 

[ferider]

Also haze free and body like new, serial 299xxx...distance scale in feet, US 170. Great performer, too, see http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=155193.

Just buy from a good seller. EXC++++++++++ doesn't mean much anymore.

 

[Spavinaw]

I have two all chrome lenses. The Canon one has no haze. The Serenar one has lots of haze.