Miles.
Beamsplitter
Hi all,
As many here know, the Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM lens is infamous for suffering from a type of haze/element degradation that, more often than not, cannot be solved with a simple CLA.
Some years ago I became aware that Kanto Camera, a preeminent repair shop in Japan, offers a remanufactured element that can be replaced during a CLA. Just this year, after failing to find a “nice” copy of a 1.2, I finally sent mine in for the service.
Today, just 6-months after I first mailed my lens, it arrived safely back in Portland.
Kanto Camera charged $250 USD for a CLA and the replacement element. Considering that this service isn’t available anywhere else in the world, I figure that’s a pretty nice deal.
I’m not affiliated with Kanto Camera but I think it’s important to highlight these type of repair opportunities, particularly when you must assume this service won’t be possible forever.
Pictured is my lens with the “bad” element removed.
As many here know, the Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM lens is infamous for suffering from a type of haze/element degradation that, more often than not, cannot be solved with a simple CLA.
Some years ago I became aware that Kanto Camera, a preeminent repair shop in Japan, offers a remanufactured element that can be replaced during a CLA. Just this year, after failing to find a “nice” copy of a 1.2, I finally sent mine in for the service.
Today, just 6-months after I first mailed my lens, it arrived safely back in Portland.
Kanto Camera charged $250 USD for a CLA and the replacement element. Considering that this service isn’t available anywhere else in the world, I figure that’s a pretty nice deal.
I’m not affiliated with Kanto Camera but I think it’s important to highlight these type of repair opportunities, particularly when you must assume this service won’t be possible forever.
Pictured is my lens with the “bad” element removed.

Miles.
Beamsplitter
It’s certainly the working class LTM dream lens!The original dream Lens?
- Canon 5cm f1.2: $250
- Fujinon 5cm f1.2: $10,000?
- Zunow 5cm f1.1: $5,000?
- Nikkor 5cm f1.1: $12,000?
Mackinaw
Think Different
So Kanto returned the bad element? I've been thinking about having this done to my 50/1.2. As for Kanto, I've had them perform CLA's on a few of my cameras over the years. They do exemplary work.Pictured is my lens with the “bad” element removed.
Jim B.
Miles.
Beamsplitter
I asked for it back as a curiosity… figured it might be neat to share here!So Kanto returned the bad element? I've been thinking about having this done to my 50/1.2. As for Kanto, I've had them perform CLA's on a few of my cameras over the years. They do exemplary work.
Jim B.
That's a deal!
Sonnar2
Well-known
Which element is it and which refractive index has it? (should be equal to the original)
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