Early Serenars (coating question)

[genotypewriter]

I've read that some of the early Serenars weren't coated and I'm interested in finding out which ones (to purchase).

Does anyone know how to identify them if we don't have the option to shine a light on the glass? (E.g. serial number ranges, other markers, etc.)

Thanks!

 

[charjohncarter]

I have two Serenars, both around 1950-51. They are coated: a 35mm and a 100mm. The 35mm serial number is 63352 and the 100mm is 440790. I don't know if this helps.

 

[goamules]

I'd say you'd need to look at the earliest ones, they were coating pretty quickly after WWII. check the Canon Museum online site.

 

[02Pilot]

Peter Kitchingman's site might be useful: http://www.canonrangefinder.com

There's no specific information that I can find about coatings, but I would be very surprised to find any uncoated lenses beyond the earliest 50/3.5 and possibly 50/2 models. Why not post your question in Kitchingman & Dechert's subforum here at RFF?

 

[Hibbs]

My 50/1.9 is coated. I think 02pilot is correct...you'd have to go back quite a ways.

~ hibbs

 

[Mackinaw]

I have Peter Kitchigman’s book and a quick look shows that some early production 50/1.5, 50/2.0, 50/3.5 and 135/4.0 lenses were not coated. All of these were produced in the 1943 - 1947 time frame. The 50/1.5 was probably made by Nippon Kogaku.

Maybe Peter will see this and chime in.

Jim B.

 

[genotypewriter]

Thanks for the replies and links, everyone.

From the sounds of things, it's probably not worth pursuing these when there are other non-coated options available.

Any ideas on how the 50/1.5 and 50/2 Serenars compare (in terms of sharpness and contrast) to pre-war CZ Jena Sonnars with similar specs?

Thanks again!

 

[David Murphy]

I've not seen a Serenar that was not coated. Canon product made before about 1949 is pretty rare, at least in the USA, so I can't really speak about that. I'd regard such lenses are primarily of collectible value, although they may fun to use as well.

 

[Brian Legge]

I have a Serenar 5cm f2 from 1949. Its definitely coated.

To be honest, I haven't used it much so I can't really say anything about the results. I purchased it hoping it would be similar to a coated Summar.

Just after buying it though, I started focusing on slightly more modern images leaving it underutilized.

 

[genotypewriter]

Thanks David and Bryan.

I'm still wondering which lenses of other manufacturers the 50/2 Serenars compare to (in design) and how well they compare. Some info would be great.

Thanks.

 

[02Pilot]

I'm pretty sure the 50/2 Serenar is a double Gauss design (six elements in four groups), similar in principle to most screwmount Canon fast 50s (the 50/1.5 being the sole Sonnar exception) and those of many other manufacturers as well.

 

[genotypewriter]

I'm pretty sure the 50/2 Serenar is a double Gauss design (six elements in four groups), similar in principle to most screwmount Canon fast 50s (the 50/1.5 being the sole Sonnar exception) and those of many other manufacturers as well.

Thanks! I suppose then there's nothing too different in going for a more accessible CZJ instead.