Leica LTM Revisiting Canon 35mm 1.5 and 50mm 1.5 Sonnar

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
You should definitely hold on to those Canons, especially the 35/1.5! This thread really shows what a lovely character they have. The prices for them have been skyrocketing ever since Zack Snyder used one (along with his Dream Lens) on Army of the Dead for Netflix. Both lenses were adapted into cinema housings by a company called Zero Optik, who have done a lot of impressive work with rehousing vintage glass. But the trend towards vintage lenses in film have definitely had a big impact on the market... (see also Leica R, Canon FD)
 
Thank you, Jim. It is astounding to me that the Canon 35/1.5 ltm is marketed on ebay for $3500. This is a $350 lens after all. Or, it used to be.

I used my 35/1.5 this morning wide open at 1.5 to check it out again.

link: https://raid.smugmug.com/Canon-35mm-15-Leica-M10/


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I need to pay attention to my 35mm 1.5 ten times more than before as it has become ten times as costly!
 
So I put my hunt for the 35mm /1.5 on hold (I am happy with my Canon 35mm f/2). To jump into the 1.5 Canon club I bought a 50mm f/1.5 Canon - should be here next week. I will compare it to my 50mm Zeiss Sonnar for my Contax IIa BD.
 
The Canon 50mm f/1.5 arrived!!! The serial number is 13,752. It's a Type 4 and I'm guessing that it was made in 1953ish. I tested it quickly on my Sony A7 III. Found an issue with filters. I put a 40mm-40.5 step up ring on it. Put on a 40.5mm UV filter and a vented shade. Tested on my Sony A7 III. Issue: it vignettes! Without the filter all is well. The filter is too thick & I used a thin one. Never had this issue before.

It's either buy the original Canon lens shade that holds Series VI filters or find 40mm UV, Skylight, & yellow filters. The 40mm filters are unobtainable. So I bit the bullet and bought the original lens hood $$$. I ordered a Leica Series VI UV filter from Robert's Camera in Indianapolis. I have been using Series VI filters since 1975 and I have a bunch of them. My UV has seen better days so I bought a new one.

Yes, Leica made Series VI filters. The 50mm f/2 R and the 35mm f/2.8 R first versions of 1965 used Series VI filters.

The Leica UV filter arrived. I an still waiting on the Canon lens hood :( . Last update from USPS was Oct 2 and it was in Illinois.
 
I just got a copy of the Canon 35/2 (V1) and it behaves similarly to the 35/1.5 wide open (very soft around the edges with an area of central sharpness). But the f2 gets blindingly sharp stopped down to f5.6-f8 and is probably the highest contrast lens in the entire Canon LTM line up. At least that's my initial impression. In think perhaps the 35/1.8 is closest to the 35/1.5 overall, but it's been several years since I used one
 
Well USPS decided that my lens hood should see Virginia on it's way from Chicago to Atlanta. Go figure. It showed up finally last Thursday. So I thought it would use Series VI filters like every other Canon 50mm lens hood does (well, except for the 50mm f/1.2). No, it doesn't. My bad for not checking better. It uses Series VII. So now waiting on two in-bound Series VII filters (Yellow & UV). Man this has been an adventure.
 
I am currently using the Canon 35/1.5 with my M9. It is a good match. The colors come our beautiful. This lens is sharp at 5.6~8, and it provides something different when used wide open. I also have the Canon 35/2. This lens is very sharp when closed down a little. Some claim that its bokeh is harsh.
 
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