Heads up, Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM $195 BIN

I bought mine for $220, has a cleaning mark on the front element but no haze. I sent it for a $60 CLA to get it running really well and I think I have a reasonably priced lens in the end. In great condition they sell for over $300, $195 may be the value of this particular one considering it will need work.
 
I'm officially declaring cleaning haze off of the rear surfece adjacent to the aperture blades on Canon lenses as a Crap-Shoot. Just cleaned the surface of another 50mm F1.5 lens for a friend. The haze came off, as did part of the coating. The two "Full Success" stories are my present 50mm F1.4 and the 50mm F1.8 Serenar that G'Man now has. The F1.4 had light haze that came off completely, no damage. The F1.8 is the one picked up for $27 as it looked opaque. Cleaned up to perfection. My F1.2 (sold here) had stains in the Canada Balsam, but the surface cleaned up. Chris' F1.2 (see relevent thread) looks like the oil etched the glass and it needs a Polish and Recoating. Essex, which has cleaned two Summarits for me, could not help his lens.

I have 25 Nikkor lenses in various RF mounts, all from the same time period of the Canon lenses. The only one with interior haze was from 1948 and it cleaned up perfectly. Canon either used a more caustic oil, or a softer coating.
 
Here's a pic with my lens that Brian just mentioned. I got the element back from Essex - I can see they tried (a few new marks) but no improvement. I popped the element back into the lens to take a few test shots - it might be just the ticket for soft romantic portraits! This shot is wide open. I'll send the element to Arax and see what they can do.
 
I paid $125 for mine. Got if from Huw Finney on pnet, who built a custom f/stop spacer for it. It has some haze on the rear element (surprise!) and maybe some cleaning marks on it as well. Never thought about cleaning it (yet), but that could change.

It was one of those used on optics lab machines, face to face, hence it's also lacking the front name ring.

Doesn't take too bad pictures http://www.pbase.com/image/43362248.jpg

Just a note, I think it was here that somebody mentioned how his developed new haze up to the same shape it was when he cleaned it up a year back. So maybe this is a shy lens that wants to hide its innards 😕
 
Last edited:
Oscar, the focus on yours seems off. A young man like your self obviously set the focus on the pretty young lady. You need to re-shim your lens or reset your priorities.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
Oscar, the focus on yours seems off. A young man like your self obviously set the focus on the pretty young lady. You need to re-shim your lens or reset your priorities.

Yep 😎

how many meters or copper tape do I need to correct such a focus error ?

I should use this lens more often, but then, it's always at home when I find myself in a dark place :bang:
 
ChrisN said:
Here's a pic with my lens that Brian just mentioned. I got the element back from Essex - I can see they tried (a few new marks) but no improvement. I popped the element back into the lens to take a few test shots - it might be just the ticket for soft romantic portraits! This shot is wide open. I'll send the element to Arax and see what they can do.


oh man, i love that look from that lens!!
so dreamlike and romantic.

joe
 
Joe,
You too can get that look on your Canon lenses. Remove the rear module and use sandpaper on the element next to the aperture. Vaseline on filters just does not cut it.
 
Back
Top Bottom