Canon LTM Unusual 85mm f/1.5 Lens

[Sonnar2]

Canon Serenar 85mm f1.5 LTM (M39)

Designed by Itō Hiroshi. The Canon 85mm f1.5 was manufactured from the summer of 1952 to the summer of 1960. Although regularly featured in catalogues and advertising, the lens sold only 1,336 units. A Gauss type large aperture middle telephoto lens with 7 lens elements in 4 groups. It is...

thevintagelensguy.com

Looks like type 1, but S/N 15018 or ..9

S/N ranges according to Peter Kitchingman:

from

1st known

to

subtotal

total (SN)

Nbr. Deschin

Nbr. Hooper

from

to

Descr. 1

Descr. 2

85mm f/1.5

Typ 1

chrome

10001​

10006​

10483​

477​

1952-07

1952-11

SERENAR f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

Typ 2

chrome

10588​

10618​

30​

unknown

1952-12

1953-03

C L f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

Typ 3

black-chrome

10639​

11843​

1204​

1711

1230

1953-04

1957-04

C L f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

Typ 4

dual distance scale

11863​

12350​

487​

2198/ 1691

1192

1957-05

1960-06

C L f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

 

[mdarnton]

I have owned two of these and regret selling them because now they're priced out of my range. It's a good lens, surprisingly sharp with good rendering and contrast even wide open. The only downside was weight--I wish they'd have made it in black aluminum like the 85/1.8 and it would have been perfect. 85mm is a stalwart in my lenses and I've been looking for a replacement now, but I don't think there's anything that quite qualifies. I'm really curious about the fast Chinese lenses, though.

 

[dexdog]

Canon Serenar 85mm f1.5 LTM (M39)

Designed by Itō Hiroshi. The Canon 85mm f1.5 was manufactured from the summer of 1952 to the summer of 1960. Although regularly featured in catalogues and advertising, the lens sold only 1,336 units. A Gauss type large aperture middle telephoto lens with 7 lens elements in 4 groups. It is...

thevintagelensguy.com

Looks like type 1, but S/N 15018 or ..9

S/N ranges according to Peter Kitchingman:

from

1st known

to

subtotal

total (SN)

Nbr. Deschin

Nbr. Hooper

from

to

Descr. 1

Descr. 2

85mm f/1.5

Typ 1

chrome

10001​

10006​

10483​

477​

1952-07

1952-11

SERENAR f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

Typ 2

chrome

10588​

10618​

30​

unknown

1952-12

1953-03

C L f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

Typ 3

black-chrome

10639​

11843​

1204​

1711

1230

1953-04

1957-04

C L f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

Typ 4

dual distance scale

11863​

12350​

487​

2198/ 1691

1192

1957-05

1960-06

C L f:1.5 85mm

CCCo J No. XXXXX

Yeah, that is an odd example, lens has all the characteristics of the Type 1 as you have stated. Makes me think that the serial number was engraved wrong.

 

[dexdog]

I have owned two of these and regret selling them because now they're priced out of my range. It's a good lens, surprisingly sharp with good rendering and contrast even wide open. The only downside was weight--I wish they'd have made it in black aluminum like the 85/1.8 and it would have been perfect. 85mm is a stalwart in my lenses and I've been looking for a replacement now, but I don't think there's anything that quite qualifies. I'm really curious about the fast Chinese lenses, though.

Sonnar B has posted a number of pics taken with the Zhongyi 90/1.5, and he seems to think that it is a pretty good performer. I have one and like it, too. Common eBay price is $400 USD, which is much less than the Canon 85/1.5. The Zhongyi is still a heavyweight, but a bit lighter than the Canon.

 

[Darinwc]

Could have been a mis-engraving.. 10518 would have put it in the right range.