Quick Comparison: Kanto Repaired Canon 50mm F1.2 and all-original/mint glass early Canon 50/1.2

[Sonnar Brian]

I went through several Canon 50mm F1.2 lenses to get one with clean glass, an earlier lens bought on a Canon Vt Deluxe. This lens has perfect glass, no coating damage, no hazing, no balsam discoloration, and no etching on the glass. It gives great results. Last month a Canon 50mm F1.2 that had been sent to Kanto in Japan to have the bad glass replaced came up in the classifieds. Kanto specializes in repairing these lenses, and had a new element produced for the repair. Get it while you can.

First up- my all original 50/1.2, Sn 15xxx.
Wide-Open, except last image at F4.


Last image at F4.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Now for the Kanto Repaired Lens.

At F1.2, except last image at F4.




All on the M240 using the RF. Focus on both lenses: perfect.
The Kanto repaired lens is perfectly dampened and has no backlash. It's like new. My original lens is very smooth, has the slightest of backlash. You would not know it if not using the two lenses together. I find it amazing that Kanto offers this repair. Take advantage of it of you want a great vintage super-speed 50.

 

[Mackinaw]

Very interesting. I've considered sending my 50/1.2 off to Kanto so they could replace the cloudy element with the new one, but just haven't pulled the trigger. Kanto does exceptional work and I have no doubt it's worth the price, whatever that is. You can't answer this question, but I wonder what optical house in Japan is producing this new element? You just don't go down to Walmart and buy one.

Jim B.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

What optical house, "A GOOD ONE"!

Pixel Peeping, but the tests not done under controlled lighting- the repaired lens seems to have slightly higher contrast. The pictures at the skating rink under Disco Lighting were great, no washed out colors.

Wide-Open on the M240, ISO3200.




Missed the focus on my daughter in the last one, posted for the color. She was moving really fast.

 

[raid]

My Canon 50/1.2 was repaired by Don Goldberg and the lens turned into a sharp lens. He told me that one of the optical elements had to be moved back to its original position.

 

[aw614]

I am going to send mine out today to Kanto. I shot mine with the middle element haze just a few times, but haven't gotten my scans to see the results.

 

[dexdog]

I had several of these at one point, kept this one. It is pristine. I may have to take it out for a spin, it has been a while.

 

[Talus]

I’d be curious to know the turnaround time for that kind of service.

 

[Miles.]

I’d be curious to know the turnaround time for that kind of service.

3-5 months.

 

[Talus]

3-5 months.

Not too bad considering how far out a lot of shops are these days.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

We visited Manassas Battlefield today, for the Memorial Day Weekend. This is Memorial was built June 1865- to commemorate those who fell in this Battle of the Civil War.
This is where Memorial Day found its beginning.



This is the Battlefield that General "Stonewall" Jackson received his nickname.



These are all show at F4, with the Kanto Canon 50/1.2 on the M240. Focus via Rangefinder.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Union Cannon, F1.2 and F4.



At F4:

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Confederate Cannons, F1.2 anf F4 Pairs.


More images, full-resolution here:

Canon 50/1.2 Kanto Rebuilt

New glass element, lens is better than new.

ibb.co

 

[dexdog]

Those old bronze napoleans are cool, usually have the factory name stamped into the muzzle. I visited Mansasss Battlefield park in March when my brother came to visit. I did not bring the Canon 50/1.2, though

 

[dexdog]

edit:

 

[dexdog]

Trying to figure out where the point of focus was on these two pics.

Union Cannon, F1.2 and F4.
I am trying to fure out where the point of focus was on these two images. The point of focus appears to have shifted between infinity at presumably f1.4 (Stonewall image is more or less in focus) while the point of focus for image at f4 appears to be on the breech end of the gun, which is probably a 10-pounder Parrott rifle


At F4:
View attachment 4866125View attachment 4866126

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Trying to figure out where the point of focus was on these two pics.

First is on the Statue of Stonewall Jackson, the Second is on the end of the Cannon Barrel.
"He Stood there like a Stone Wall" picks up meaning when you see him in the site of the Cannon.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I took the Kanto rebuilt Canon 50/1.2 to Skyline Caverns, known for setting up multi-color lighting - especially effective on the underground springs.

On the M240, focus using a 1.4x magnifier on the Viewfinder.
All wide-open.


Straight exports using LR4.
I'm beginning to think the reputation this lens gained for being low-contrast was due to so many copies suffering from Haze.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A trick of the Light- same scene, different lighting


First time we had a tour guide that was anywhere close to my age...