How about a Serenar thread?

[payasam]

Not so long ago, I bought a Serenar 85/2 from Adnan "Andy" Dibeh, alias f16sunshine. I put it through the usual tests, but actually used it only over the last couple of days. Here is one of the pictures.

I am no stranger to Serenars. From 1985 until 2002, a Serenar 50/1.8 was my most used lens on a Leica M3. They are well built lenses which perform well, if in a quiet way.

I hope to see more Serenar photos here.

 

[Santafecino]

I'll second the motion. I just got a Serenar 85/2.0 for a small amount and look on it as my replacement for a Jupiter-9 that could not be made to focus correctly. Canon lenses have no such problems, and this one works well with my M5. I'll get some pictures posted, maybe by next week.

 

[Lilserenity]

I just love my 50mm Serenar I f/1.8. It's a beater copy but the glass is A1. The infinity lock is busted (because of me) and some of the chrome has coroded but it's as good a 50mm lens I have ever used, in fact the best I have ever used. I'm sure a Summicron might be that bit better but I think it performs very very well. Don't often shoot at f/1.8 but at f/2 the results are very good. I've shot a real variety with mine, here's a sample:


Waldeshare Park, Kent, England. Kodachrome 64

Worthing Birdman 2009, W. Sussex, England. Portra 160VC


Jonathan Ansell at the Worthing Birdman 2009. Portra 160VC


Westernham, North Downs, Kent, England. Kodachrome 64
(Not you can see it but the London Orbital Motorway (M25) actually goes through here, shame really but such is the need of modern life I guess!)


Wolf. Sheffield Park, E. Sx. England. Tri-X


River Arun, Arundel. West Sussex. England. T-Max 400 (TMY2)


Pub Quiz. Worthing. Superia 1600.

All taken on a Leica M2. When I find a good Serenar 50mm I f/1.8 you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be snapping it up as a backup.

Vicky

 

[charjohncarter]

I have the 35 Serenar F3.5. At first I really didn't like it, it had swirling out of focus areas. But I used it wide open against a flat wall one and it was almost good. I have become attached to this lens now even if I try to shot at F8 or lower. And I have actually come to like the crazy wide open brokey (Chris101) or whatever it is called. Besides, I think these under rated lenses sometimes have more to offer the photographer than the clinically sharp ones.

Here we are at Trader Joe's, I know lousy light, but not bad for less the $50 (this wasn't wide open, but fairly close).

 

[payasam]

Good range of pictures, Vicky, but check your monitor calibration: the photos are all just a bit dark.

Is Trader Joe's a chain of shops? Light seems okay to me though hitting the right colour balance may have been tricky.

 

[charjohncarter]

payasam, fun thread, thanks, yes Trader Joe's is a food chain store. The bad light is from the fluorescents from above and the large door to the right (unseen) but letting a lot of natural light.

 

[airds]

Vicky's look fine here, I find your portrait has cast

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Vicky's look fine here, I find your portrait has cast

I prefer the original - to your 'correction'
Dave.

 

[airds]

Of course you can - but look at the definate cast to original in the hair, the lack of sparkle in the eyes and the general pasty look of the face.
But if you are happy ....

 

[Lilserenity]

I hadn't noticed any problems with my photos being dark, it might be my personal taste I guess. They look nice printed though 🙂

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I move that we include "Canon Lens" versions of the Serenars that are basically the same. Here's one from my 50/1.8 Serenar (with the very clever hood adapter and hood!):

And here's one from the Canon Lens 85/1.9, which I just got and am pretty gaga over:

 

[beezerc15]

sorry to say i have a 85mm f2 serenar lens but do not use that much,looking at the photosimust say that the above pictures are pretty good.must get mine used a bit more.regards john

 

[payasam]

Santafecino, my Serenar 85/2 is not a replacement for the Jupiter 9 which I also have. My J-9 too did not focus correctly: it gave a 6 cm. error at closest focus. I got around that by "adjusting" the range-finder of a FED-2 body. Now the lens and the body can be used only with each other.

Airds, your correction is on the right lines; but you perhaps went too far.

 

[Santafecino]

Thank Payasam you for the clarification. My LTM J-9 sits mournfully alone; a great lens that doesn't fit any body I own. Maybe I need to get a Zorki 1 to get it back on the road.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I've got a few images from "Canon" lenses. Can I mix them in with the other Serenar lens images?

Serenar 50/1.8




Serenar 35/2.8

 

[payasam]

I'd advise a FED-2, Santafecino. You get a longer R/F base length and also flash sync. Also a removable back, if that matters.

Good resolution in your pictures, Darren. Really.

 

[Bingley]

Alas, although I've got, use, and love Canon rf lenses, none of them is a "Serenar."

 

[raid]

I sold my 85mm 1.9 Serenar and also a 28mm 3.5 Serenar. Both were to me first class lenses. I still have the 35mm 2.8 Serenar and the 50mm 1.8 Serenar. I forgot whether the 35mm 1.5 or the 50mm 1.5 are Serenar lenses or not.

 

[Koni Kowa]

I sold my 85mm 1.9 Serenar and also a 28mm 3.5 Serenar. Both were to me first class lenses. I still have the 35mm 2.8 Serenar and the 50mm 1.8 Serenar. I forgot whether the 35mm 1.5 or the 50mm 1.5 are Serenar lenses or not.

35mm f/1.5 LTM is Canon, 50mm f/1.5 can be Serenar sometimes.

 

[tennis-joe]

I purchased a second rangefinder camera and it had a Senenar 50f1.8. I put lens on my Bessa R and was delighted with the results.
Joe