canon serenar 100mm/f2 - anyone using it?

[nightwolf75]

hi! is anyone using this above-mentioned lens? i came across a copy of it but dunno much abt it. only managed to find a single ref to it on google. want to check if it is worth the money. i know long lenses are knda hard to focus on RF so a little bit unsure.

 

[raytoei]

"Canon 100mm F2.0 $ 450-725 Made in 1959. 6 elements Superb lens."

Canon Rangefinder Lens Price and Information Guide

"100/2 Canon Black: a great lens. one of the very best. Lens head removable reflex housing."

Leica Screw Mount Lenses

best u use a canon rf as canon rf has 100 magnified framelines.

on the leica screwmount, you have to use a Acura external viewer.

on the m, I think the 90mm is the closest, but not easy to focus.

hope this helps. i dun have the 100, though i once had a 85/1.9 lens.

raytoei

 

[benny]

The Canon 100mm f/2.0 LTM was never offered as a Serenar, which from an earlier time period. The only black colored telephoto lens offered by Canon marketed/marked as Serenar was the Canon 100mm f/3.5 LTM. The Canon 100mm f/2.0 lens was launched in Jan 1959, but was remained in production for more than 10 years. Price varies quite widely now, depending on the condition and the completeness of the set.


Canon 7sZ + Canon 100mm f/2.0 LTM by benny ng, on Flickr

At 515 grams, only the Canon 50mm f/0.95 is heavier than this lens amongst all other late type (Black) Canon LTM offerings. The even heavier Canon 85mm f/1.5 LTM was discontinued in 1957. The 6 elements in 4 group configuration is a Planar design. Whilst the head is removable, it does not fit into a reflex housing (Mirror Box 1 or 2). Instead, it actually allows the lens to be used on the Canoflex series via the 2 part Canon R-A focusing adapter.

This lens focus just like any other RF lenses as it's rangefinder coupled. Single helicoid design means that the aperture ring turns with the focusing ring. I know a lot of users are quite uncomfortable with this. On most Canon RF cameras, you will be able to use it with the 100mm framelines without issue. Actually, even on the old classics like the Canon IVSB, you can focus with relative accuracy. On the M cameras without the 100mm framelines, the 28/90mm LTM to M adapters will allow you to use the 90mm framelines. You just need to frame tighter using the 90mm frameline as a guide. For the purists, there are 100mm viewfinders available. I don't have any problems focusing with this lens on any of the M cameras, it's no different from using a Summicron-M 90mm f/2.0.

In terms of image quality, it's sharp across the frame, with relatively good contrast. I'll let some of the images speak for itself.


Canon 100mm f/2.0 LTM bokeh test by benny ng, on Flickr


Sunset on Fairmont by benny ng, on Flickr

Dirk Steffen (menos on RFF) was recently playing with this lens and here is a cropped detail from him. You can see a lot more of his work with other lenses at www.teknopunk.com


Canon 100 f2 - detail crop by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

I hope this is helpful for those interested in foraying into LTM lenses.

Cheers,

 

[nightwolf75]

thanks benny!