frank, howse the new coll. 50?

[John Shriver]

Let's remember that the Serenar 50/1.9 is a copy of the Leica Summitar 50/2.0. That was Leica's latest 50mm lens at the time the patents were revoked and Canon started copying the designs.

Mechanically, they look close to identical. They are same basic double-gauss optical formula. They have the same constraints of a collapsible lens barrel that makes it rather hard to design such a fast lens. So, I'd expect that they have similar character.

I'd note that testing the 50/1.9 in color could provide different results. The bokeh on my Summitar was totally tame in B&W, but I got some color shots with swirly tangential circular bokeh.


As for the Canon/Serenar 50/3.5, sure, it's old. So is the Summar, and so is the Tessar design it evolved from. But I'm sure it's a fine lens. It does have trouble with balsam separation. It's also rare enough that collector prices render it not a "user" lens.

 

[FrankS]

This is all interesting information, Thank you.

 

[back alley]

not looking for speed necessarily.
i'm thinking for outdoor use, walkabout type shooting.
i have the 1.8 if i was to push some tri-x and shoot in the dark.
i'm in no rush though.

i held a 35/3.5 today, very tiny, compact. it needed a good cleaning and it was there the last time i went into that shop so i'm thinking it will be there when i go back again.

he also had a 50 summarit that looked like it needed a cleaning also.
i didn't ask prices.

joe

 

[VictorM.]

Joe: I put the 50/3.5 Serenar on the P and it scrapes the internal baffles when collapsed. The focusing tab also rubs the rangefinder bezel as it is being mounted.

 

[back alley]

good to know victor, thank.

guess i'll scrape that one off the list.

the 50/1.9 fits ok on the p?

joe

 

[VictorM.]

I don't have one-but I have two hoods that fit just in case!

 

[back alley]

lol


joe

 

[FrankS]

Victor, are your hoods vented so as not to block the viewfinder?

 

[back alley]

frank, he has the square ones, made for the 1.9. there is one vent to clear the vf.

i just sold the one i bought from ebay, another example of poor planning on my part.

 

[FrankS]

Victor, I might be interested in a hood if you have a spare. Can you post a picture (and a price)?

 

[back alley]

he does have a spare, frank!

kinda wierd how i keep answering for him, eh?

joe

 

[VictorM.]

My mother used to do that, answer for me, so I moved 500 miles away.

 

[harry01562]

One of these days, when I have some spare time and the weather cooperates, I'll do a little comparison shooting on the 50's. I have 2 of the 3.5's, early vintage, they came mounted on SII's. Also have 3 of the 1.9 Serenar's, a 1.8 Serenar and 3 Canon of same, and a 1.5 Canon. These are all the heavy brass/chrome lenses. If I can keep them straight, they should give a better than average sampling, with the duplication. I think I'll probably mount them all on one body, a model P or a 7s, to eliminate one possible complication. I have a problem with labs locally, so will probably shoot color print film. I realize this isn't the best for testing, but it is the easiest on my wallet! When I get some results, I'll post scans of the prints (I don't have a negative scanner, sorry), if the results seem worth the effort. Anyone with suggestions to make this projectmore meaningful, please hop on in.

 

[back alley]

you have 3 50/1.9 serenars?

care to make that 2?

joe

 

[back alley]

My mother used to do that, answer for me, so I moved 500 miles away.

very funny victor!

what shall we charge frank for the extra hood?

joe😉

 

[rover]

Joe is feeling frisky tonight. Does anyone have anything nice he can sell to me? 🙂

 

[back alley]

Joe is feeling frisky tonight.🙂

it happens every spring...

j*

 

[harry01562]

Sorry Joe, I'm a collector, and "need" all those 1.9's. After all, the bodies they are mounted on would get cold without them... The prices that I've seen lately are interesting. For years Canon was pretty much dormant, without the demand of Nikon or, especially, Leica. Now, more and more, I read of collectors/users who have Canon glass mounted on their Leicas. The information Peter Kitchingman has posted on lenses may start to have an impact on these lenses, as well. It will be interesting after his books are published, to see where prices level off. There seems to be an almost endless supply of P's available, but there are also a host of buyers. When things get a bit scarce, it may be really interesting. Good glass has been in the investment category for some time, and I don't see an end. Too bad I still have some holes to fill...

 

[back alley]

hardly seems fair...but, i (weeping) understand...


😉joe

 

[VictorM.]

Hood pics

Hood pics

Here's a few pictures. It's mounted on a Nikkor 50/2. The cutout works perfectly with the Canon P, a little less so on the M4-2. It's in like new condition and comes in a pretty good case with the 'Eagle' on it (supposed to make it worth more, I've read).