Canon 50mm F1.4 in LTM

Sonnar Brian

Sonnar Brian

Product of the Fifties
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The Canon 50mm F1.4 was introduced in 1959, three years after the 50mm F1.2. The lens is a classic 6 element in 4 group, 1-2-2-1 double Gauss. The high-index of refraction/ low dispersion glass that Canon used allowed the lens to be implemented in only 6 elements, most of the F1.4 and F1.5 lenses of the day use 7. (Typically the front element or rear element of the classic double-Gauss was split into two elements of lesser strength) The modern Voigtlander ASPH Nokton 50/1.5 uses 6 elements, one is aspherical.

As with many of the later Canon lenses using this glass: the surface behind the aperture is prone to haze, coating damage, and etching. I'm better than 50/50 on these, have had three perfect lenses and two with coating damage. This one is perfect.

I'm starting with the Vignetting test as I posted this for the 50/1.2. Unexpected: Vignetting on the F1.2 lens is slightly less than this one at F1.4 and F2. Next time I test these two lenses against each other- will be at F2, not F1.4.

See this thread for comparison:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173192



There were over 100,000 of these lenses made, more than twice as many as the F1.2 lens. Prices for this lens have dropped in the last few years, $200 gets a nice one. Maybe the Voigtlander 50/1.5 Asph coming up on the used market around $400? A few years ago I bought the LTM Asph Nokton for what I paid for the Canon 50/1.4 some 15 years ago.

Some shots to compare with the Canon 50/1.2.

Wide-Open, all coded as the 50/1.4 Summilux on the M9.







 


Common Sense would tell you to get this lens if you want a Classic Fast-Fifty at a good price, arounf $200 these days. The lens uses 48mm filters and hoods: I picked up a full set of Hoya color filters for the M Monochrom NOS for $15. Inexpensive Chinese hood for a few$. Be sure to inspect and have return privilege.

The Canon lenses are good. The haze/etching problem affects most of the ones made in the late 1950s. At some point they fixed the problem: I've never seen an Etched 50/0.95. The Canon 50/2.2 I picked up looks perfect, came out about the same time as the 50/0.95.
 
I like my copy. It doesn't quite focus accurately....just a tad backfocus. I suspect this can be remedied. This lens really is a tremendous bang for the buck. Only complaints (other than what I mention below) are the rather long focus throw, and the occasional nervous bokeh. Both are truly minor nitpicks.

Unfortunately, my copy has become sluggish and stiff in both focus and aperture. I know there used to be some online resources showing me disassembly/reassembly. I'm not as competent as a certain Sonnar expert here on RFF, but I've done my share of lens/camera repairs. A good use of my Covid time?
 
I took this a few years back. Canon 50/1.4 on a Leica M240. F2.4 at 1/90.

50788190553_8f95f66f94_b.jpg


Jim B.
 
rfaspen said:
I like my copy. It doesn't quite focus accurately....just a tad backfocus. I suspect this can be remedied. This lens really is a tremendous bang for the buck. Only complaints (other than what I mention below) are the rather long focus throw, and the occasional nervous bokeh. Both are truly minor nitpicks.

Unfortunately, my copy has become sluggish and stiff in both focus and aperture. I know there used to be some online resources showing me disassembly/reassembly. I'm not as competent as a certain Sonnar expert here on RFF, but I've done my share of lens/camera repairs. A good use of my Covid time?
Click to expand...

You need a slightly thicker shim- this one is easy to correct. The optical barrel is held in place by the retaining ring in the rear.

The aperture ring on one I owned years ago became hard to move: grease and grime with years of use. I used a little alcohol on a Q-Tip to swab it out.

https://johanniels.com/canon-rf-50mm-1-2-cleaning-leica/

It's similar to the 50/1.2 - the above instructions are very helpful.
 
Your 1.4 focus is on the dot with all your selected apertures. Yes, vignetting, but I 've seen very few that don't. It's reallyl lpart of the "rendering". Mine did not focus at infinity on the bessa r rangefinder, as I took it on a trip to Utah. somehow never realized it was that "off". Live and learn.
 
I picked up one a year ago as a package on a Canon 7 that I wanted. I figured i'd sell it for more than i paid for the two together. Turned out it was pristine. Shot a test roll with it and decided to keep it. First thing i did was take the helical apart and get all the old grease out. Replaced it with Helimax so i don't have to worry about it getting messed up. Popped off the infinity lock too. Those things drive me nuts.... It isn't quite as good as my converted Pentax but it does focus the right way. I wish it focused closer though and of course the focus throw seems laborious. Great lens for the money though.
 
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