Canon 50mm f/2.8 - Who is using one?

[aoresteen]

The Canon 50mm f/2.8 interests me as I'm a 50mm Tessar fan since I grew up with a Contaflex that has an outstanding 50mm f/2.8 Tessar lens (I have 4 Contaflexes with the 50mm f/2.8 lens - 2 working, 2 need work).

Looking at the Canon specs it's 4 elements in 3 groups - classic Tessar I assume. Can anyone confirm that the rear group is a cemented pair?

Can any one comment on the performance of the Canon 50mm f/2.8?

Anyone still using one?

Right now I use a 55mm f/2.8 Industar for my "Tessar" lens and I'm thinking about replacing it with the Canon - not that I'd get rid of the Industar after paying Herr Goldberg to fix it.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103300

Thanks!

 

[Mackinaw]

.......Looking at the Canon specs it's 4 elements in 3 groups - classic Tessar I assume. Can anyone confirm that the rear group is a cemented pair?.......

I have a Peter Kitchingman's book. Yes, the rear group is a cemented pair.

Jim B.

 

[aoresteen]

I have a Peter Kitchingman's book. Yes, the rear group is a cemented pair.

Jim B.

Thanks Jim.

~~~~~~~~~~

Looking on eBay, just about all of the Canon 50mm f/2.8 lenses are listed having haze. Is this a common problem for this lens? Can it be cleaned?

 

[aoresteen]

No one using a 50mm f/2.8?

 

[Fixcinater]

They're not the most common, I've seen many 1.8s and 2.0s for each 2.8 that I've seen in quite a few years of looking.

 

[aoresteen]

I went ahead and bought one off of eBay for $108 shipped from Japan. It has a bit of haze but my practice is to send them out for a CLA anyway. Comes with caps & hood. The correct hood was a bonus!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252256558492?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[bluesun267]

I had one of these a few years ago and foolishly sold it (along with a minty EP Canon L1--a big regret on both fronts). It was an excellent sharp lens and had nice (but not all that unique) rendering/personality. I thought it had a little better bokeh than the Canon 50/1.8 at close distances.

 

[zuikologist]

They're not the most common, I've seen many 1.8s and 2.0s for each 2.8 that I've seen in quite a few years of looking.

Agreed. the 2.8 is also quite small and works well with mirrorless bodies.

 

[raid]

I once had one with a Canon VI_L, but I sold it immediately.

 

[kermaier]

The correct hood was a bonus!

Yes, I think the hood is substantially harder to come by than the lens!

 

[aoresteen]

I once had one with a Canon VI_L, but I sold it immediately.

Why? Was the lens bad? Did you take some test shots with it?

 

[raid]

I had a Canon 50/1.8, so the 50/2.8 had to go. I never used it.

 

[bobkonos]

I have both versions (two of the scalloped version) and recently got the correct hood. Now shooting one of the scalloped versions and will soon finish that roll.

 

[aoresteen]

I had a Canon 50/1.8, so the 50/2.8 had to go. I never used it.

Raid, you should know better! You can never be too rich, too thin, and have too many Canon rangefinder lenses 🙂 !

 

[aoresteen]

UPDATE: The Canon 50mm f/2.8 and a 50mm f/1.9 Serenar are on their way to Youxin Ye for a CLA.

The 50mm 1.9 is way gummed up - won't focus & aperture ring is stuck. I hope it's repairable 🙂 I have $65 in it so far:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391366304591?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[David Murphy]

I have one (and it's currently for sale here). It's an excellent lens. This lens was in production for several years and I think there are three versions if I'm not mistaken. I think mine is a later version (non-Zebra focus ring style). They are a very good deal for the money. They can easily be serviced if they have haze (mine does not). The performance is comparable to say a Leica Elmar, or any other good four element prime.

 

[peterm1]

Relatively slow lenses like this tend to perform well even today due to their simple optical design that minimizes the number of elements. I have always had a soft spot for them. Tessar designs and their derivatives like Zeiss Skopar lenses have a nice look to their images (though I am not certain if this one is a Tessar or not). If it si you will not be disappointed.

 

[raid]

Raid, you should know better! You can never be too rich, too thin, and have too many Canon rangefinder lenses 🙂 !

I am human, so I err!
I have the Canon 50/1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8.

 

[aoresteen]

Well, I've got a bit of bad news. My 50mm f/2.8 is beyond repair. I sent it Youxin Ye who writes on May 4th:

"Canon 50/2.8 lens - The lens has heavy haze on the element under the aperture blades, we took the element out, did a test, the haze already etched into coating, does not come off from cleaning anymore. We put the element back to the lens. There is no value to go further on this lens."

I've contacted the seller and I am waiting for his reply.

 

[Peter Jennings]

Canon Syndrome. I've had this issue with a couple 50/1.8 lenses. Didn't know it also affected the 2.8 lenses. Good luck in finding a clean copy.