CANON 50mm F1.2 LTM

[raid]

Originally Posted by rogue_designer

The Xenon is a double gauss design. As is the Planar, and all of the fast Canon 50's except the 1.5.

Now I know! Thanks for explaining this fact to me.

[rogue_designer]

Well, with that said, the devil is in the details. A xenon does act differently than a planar, despite similar formulae. So I wouldn't bang your head too hard.

Edit. At least one source I saw lists the Xenon as an asymmetrical derivative of the double gauss. So who really knows aside from Tronnier

From that same source: Some well know variants of six element Double Gauss designs are:

Agfa: Soligon
Angenieux: S-type
Astro: Kino, Tachar
Bausch & Lomb: Aminar, baltar, Raytar
Boyer: Saphir
Dallmeyer: Super Six
Enna: Annaston
Isco: Westagon
Kinoptik: Apochromat, Fulgior
Kodak: Ektar, Aero Ektar
Leitz: Elcan, f/1.2Noktilux,
Sumarrit, Summar, Summitar,
Summicron, Dygon
Meyer: Domiron
Rodenstock: Heligon
Ross: Xtralux
Schneider: f/2 Xenon, Xenogon
Steinheil: Quinon
Taylor-Hobson: Amotal, Ivotal,
Kinic, Opic Panchrotal, Speed
Panchro
Wollensak: Raptar
Wray: Copying Lens
Zeiss: Biotar, Flexon

[digitalintrigue]

Does anyone know if the 55mm f/1.2 Canon FL lens is the same optically as the 50/1.2 LTM?

[Krosya]

Originally Posted by januaryman

I never heard this particular story, or anything about the "canon glow" - even google just points here for that term. What exactly IS that? I have plenty of Canon lenses and none of them are glowing. (I do have an Industar 61 L/D that used radioactive glass... but even that lens doesn't glow!)

Here is a bit of "Canon Glow" - see edge of some flowers:

[raid]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Does anyone know if the 55mm f/1.2 Canon FL lens is the same optically as the 50/1.2 LTM?

I have seen claims that the 55 FL is a better lens optically, and that's why someone "out there" is adapting such lenses to LTM on bee-bay.

[januaryman]

Originally Posted by John Shriver

The Canon 50/1.4 is double-Gauss formula, like the 50/1.8. The 50/1.2 is much like a double-Gauss, but with a doubled pair of front elements.

The 50/1.5 is the odd man out, with a Sonnar design.

... and to me, at least, the most interesting. Never did manage to find one. Got its Russian cousin, the Jupiter 3. It will have to do.

[januaryman]

Ah ha! I have not noticed that. I'll have to look back through my own photos! Thanks for the explanation.

Originally Posted by Krosya

Here is a bit of "Canon Glow" - see edge of some flowers:

[M2user]

Take a look here http://www.f8vision.com/section44680_5740.html

[John Shriver]

An SLR mount 50mm lens has to be rather different from a LTM mount one, due to having to clear the mirror.

That said, lots of SLR 50mm lenses are also double-Gauss designs. But they are generally a lot less symmetric than their rangefinder cousins. Also, for SLR's with small throats in their lens mounts, there was a tenedency towards 55mm and 58mm focal lengths, especially at faster speed. (Reduces the asymmetry needed.) Lots of 58mm lenses on Exakta/Topcon mount cameras, for instance.

[Bingley]

Originally Posted by januaryman

... and to me, at least, the most interesting. Never did manage to find one. Got its Russian cousin, the Jupiter 3. It will have to do.

Jim -- A good J3 is a pretty nice lens. I borrowed one a couple of summers ago, and was pleased w/ the results. Tried to buy it but the owner wouldn't sell (smart man). So I wound up getting the Canon 50/1.5 as a consolation prize... Keep looking for the Canon, and in the meantime enjoy your J3.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the photos posted on this thread, and wondering whether a third Canon 50 is in my future.

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by raid

The Canon 50mm/1.4 is a Xenon design lens, and it is very sharp. It renders colors slightly "cooler" than a Canon 50mm/1.8 or 50mm/1.5. The Canon 50mm/1.2 can be a very sharp lens if it is adjusted professionally. Age of a lens can have an impact on the lens.

Hello Raid!

I`m just catching up with this thread, while I did`nt have a f1.2 yet.....

I just traded for a #546xx serial number f1.2, this should make it early or mid 1967? THE LAST PRODUCTION YEAR for the f1.2......

Do you know it there`s any difference in the Early to Late f1.2`s?

I guess they changed over to the series two lens in 1962? I think, do you know or anyone else know if there`s ANY difference, or is it JUST numbers?

I get the lens tomorrow morning and I can`t wait, it`s Mint/Minus with caps and a factory UV filter, also have a late 1960`s Screw In Kenko 55mm ring hood to use, till I can find the factory issued one......hoping the Kenko design doesn`t take out too much on my M6 VF when working.

Ohh and also some old timers told me the f1.2, at f1.4 even LOOKS BETTER than the f1.4 at that opening, (I owned a f1.4 and I didn`t really "bond" with it, so I sold it to finance my 43' IIIC K) - I don`t really miss the lens, but I`m really stoked about the f1.2 - my personal opinion I think it`s just the ticket for my vintage "Girlie" magazine styles and it will be "dreamy" and "creamy" enough to produce photos that look like they were taken back in the 1960`s.

I will post some examples here and elsewhere after this weekend`s shoot

Tom

[thomasw_]

Krosya, nice shot of the beautiful lady...@ 1,2m away?

Roger, I wonder why you find the summilux asph 50 a compromising lens? As it is perhaps the finest all-round 50mm lens I have used, as a f1,4 that focuses to .7m accurately is very useful for me, but I am wondering what I am likely missing in its performance that you find compromised? I assume it something in its rendering?

[LeicaTom]

Well, she just got here about an Hour ago.......



This is the 67' Canon f1.2 I was talking about, which I just traded for about an Hour here in Fla. Sitting now on my early "Wetzlar" M6
(Thank you very much Richard! - You will be receiving lot`s and lot`s of PinUp Girl Poses shot with this lens - ohh and also speical thanks to Bob who put me on to the seller of this lens through evilbay *This lens was the sellers reserve lens which was in even better shape then the one he sold that Bob saw*).

I never have owned a f1.2 before, let alone even tested one on a M Leica, but this seems like a "Marriage Made In Heaven"!

The lens does`nt even take up 2% of the VF and with the screw in 55mm Kenko hood coming soon, I`m sure it won`t be more then that, due to the way the lens sits on this body, it is also suprisingly lighter than I thought and focus ring is snappy and fast to the touch, the lens though it has lot`s of glass, is still compact on the M body......on my IIIC K Conversion it`s a MONSTER, and really isn`t a good base camera for such a lens without an accessory 50mm BL finder, so this is going to STAY on my M6 possibly fulltime, with the rest of the Fast one`s mating up on my LTM cameras.

Needless to say I`m Jonesin to shoot with this, so hopefull my pretty Personal Assistant Ms Dahlia (she looks like Polly Bergen) will be coming over to see me today after her courses and we can steal some time to shoot some quick portraits!

Really happy with this trade, it has both caps and a beautiful factory UV filter, (the only mar it has it that small nick in the side of the froint ring that is`nt anywhere near the glass). I just found an original Skylight Filter for it in the original case for $16 and now all I want anymore for it is the original case and factory vented hood, (I found a case the other night on evilbay, but someone beat me to the BIN for $25 darn! - I also missed an original hood as well privately for $125 - grrr!!!)

So if anyone can help me out with a lead on those two items that would just complete my day

With this ends my long lost quest for FAST 50`s, the Fujinon f1.2 and Nikkor f1.1 in LTM are just way way out of any realistic price range for me, and the ONLY other lens now that I`ll consider at all is the "Wartime" CZJ f1,5/50 Sonnar T which I will ONLY be buying from an expert I know, when he finds one that`s 100% original 1941/42 production.........

I`ll have my hands full shooting with this now and I can`t wait for my first results, if I`m quick enough I might have some as soon as tonight midnight????? *crosses fingers*

Tom

[rogue_designer]

Looks like it is in beautiful shape Tom. Enjoy it! It remains one of my favorite 50s.

[bobkonos]

Glad I could help you find this lens. Feel free to help me find a 19mm Canon RF lens with finder. :-)

Bob

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by rogue_designer

Looks like it is in beautiful shape Tom. Enjoy it! It remains one of my favorite 50s.

Thank You Rouge,

Yes, I`m going to go CRAZY shooting with this lens all the time now.....I`m considering selling one or two of my rare IIIC`s so I can CLA/Modify my M6 to the way I want it and start relying on her more often than I do - and by that making this camera my main workhorse......

I have noticed that the f1.2 seems to have a very sensitive glass/coating so extra care has to be taken with cleaning and also the "factory" filters or the *high mounted* glass filters are a MUST while the front element rises so high, so that`s good advice to all who are also getting this lens for the first time.

I can`t wait, there`s like 2 color rolls I`m going to shoot today if I can, and then I`m going to try some TMAX 400 this weekend (I just need to figure out a good processor to send the rolls too, who will develop art/fetish nudes etc.
(anyone have a suggestion?)

Tom

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by bobkonos

Glad I could help you find this lens. Feel free to help me find a 19mm Canon RF lens with finder. :-)

Bob

Thanks Bob!!!!!

Well, I`ll ask the guy who had this, his Canon collecton is mostly gone, but after talking to me a few hours, I`ve convinced him to start looking again, just write me what something like that`s supposed to cost etc. (I`m not a big WIDE ANGLE fan, so I don`t really lust for one now)

He did have a f2/35 that I was thinking about, that lens is like ULTRA MINI! super compact like a Elmar 35, I just don`t know if I want to pay the price that he was thinking? (somewhere in the $375/$450 range after CLA) - I just don`t use a 35mm lens enough, and I don`t know what they are selling for.....I have sort have lusted for a f1.5/35, but only as a mate for my "beloved" f1.5/50, but at prices over $650, now`s not a practial time to throw that much money at a lens I won`t use often.

Tom

[kermaier]

Originally Posted by LeicaTom

...and now all I want anymore for it is the original case and factory vented hood, (I found a case the other night on evilbay, but someone beat me to the BIN for $25 darn! - I also missed an original hood as well privately for $125 - grrr!!!)

Sorry Tom, I think it was me who got the lens case you were looking at on auction -- it was too reasonably priced to pass up. I don't see myself paying that kind of money for a shade, though....

My 50/1.2 is on its way to FocalPoint to have a fungus-damaged lens element re-polished/coated. I'll post a few pix from my R-D1 that don't seem to be much affected by the fungus (maybe due to the crop factor).

Enjoy your new lens!

::Ari

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by kermaier

Sorry Tom, I think it was me who got the lens case you were looking at on auction -- it was too reasonably priced to pass up. I don't see myself paying that kind of money for a shade, though....

My 50/1.2 is on its way to FocalPoint to have a fungus-damaged lens element re-polished/coated. I'll post a few pix from my R-D1 that don't seem to be much affected by the fungus (maybe due to the crop factor).

Enjoy your new lens!

::Ari

Ahhhh hahahahaha, yeah I just waiting too long on that see the seller didn`t have pics of the inside, so I did`nt know condition, and he sent me pics I went back but it was too late.
(but, as for now it`s going to be living full-time in my M6 ER case, so I don`t really need an accessory lens case really).

Sadly the hoods have been driven up to crazy prices by collectors......normally my hood allowance is $75 and NO HIGHER! But, with this lens, I have to make an exception, one sold for $85 two weeks ago and the one for $140 I found, both were PRIVATE sales not internet, so I need to find the hood offline, if will just take me a bit longer, I did buy an original era Kenko screw-in 55 mm hood like three days ago for $5, so that`s a better choice for now, I can`t use the UV filter on it when shooting, but it`s really just on the lens while it`s sitting in the M6 ER case anyways, with the cap left on.....

I`ll just be doing alot of "screwing"when I`m working.....I just had to add that pun!

Tom

[kermaier]

I also have a screw-in non-vented 55mm hood, probably from the 1970s, I think. What I like to do is to try to find a lens cap that fits the front of the hood, and leave the hood on. That way I just remove the cap to shoot.

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by kermaier

I also have a screw-in non-vented 55mm hood, probably from the 1970s, I think. What I like to do is to try to find a lens cap that fits the front of the hood, and leave the hood on. That way I just remove the cap to shoot.

Yep!

I bought a Kenko one also from the late 60`s/early 70`s for like $5, so I`ll just need to find a what 57/58mm? Cap to cover the end of the hood, and just keep the M6`s ER case closed when I`m walking around, so it will not be a danger to the lens without the UV on it, etc.

Hahahahah all the things we have to got through just to take a picture.....crazy huh?

Tom

[John Shriver]

It may be a big lens by Leica RF standards, but it's really not very big or very heavy. It weighs in at 12.5 ounces, where my beloved RE. Auto-Topcor 58/1.4 weighs in at 14.5 ounces. Both are all-aluminum construction lenses.

(Of course, the Topcor is probably sharper at most apertures, but I'm sure the Canon 50/1.4 LTM lens is mighty competitive with it.)

Thankfully, my 50/1.2 came complete with 4 Canon filters and the Canon hood, for a very reasonable price on the classifieds here. However, quite a bit of wear on the black focusing collar.

[Keith]

A question about my Canon 1.2 ... it appears not to be too sharp wide open at infinity or distances close to. At shorter ranges on my M2 it's perfect! Has anyone else noticed this?

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by L39UK

Hi Tom,
Talking about the expensive Canon f/1.2 hoods, I'm glad I don't need one of these:-


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=370165616025

Other than a 1943 #272xxxx CZJ f1.5/50 Sonnar T .........The Fujinon f1.2/50 is the only other lens I LUST for , hahahahahah first time I ever saw a hood, dammm that is like STUPID RARE!!!!



Tom

PS: I just received in the mail today the Kenko 55mm screw in hood, that`s now mounted on my Canon f1.2/50, bought for the amazing low price of only $5!!!!!!

[mabelsound]

I got my generic 50/1.2 hood from heavystar for $19 shipped, and got a 55mm cap from Ritz camera.