Introduction to Japanese RF lenses.

[gohaj]

One from the Canon.
Canon50f1.5 @f1.5

Nice!

 

[gommy]

Hi CK, with that shot, now you understand why I want more....fantastic shot of your doppelganger....I'm trying to buy myself a better game:bsmilie:

art of diversion...you guys take all the glory, I quietly clean up behind, so we can corner market...."sei dong" (cantonsese) what.... My Canon got strange <ep> mark, so want a clean copy to compare, compare...after all I am just a student now..only got 30 strokes, gotta catch up with your 90 stroke kungfu and Kow Kor's 0.95 strokes....I'm just collecting the numbers now, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5.....

I thot the "EP" copy is clean, pristine & mint?:dunno:

 

[gommy]

Nice!

Thanks AJ!

 

[dankwan]

I thot the "EP" copy is clean, pristine & mint?:dunno:

would towgay accept any less? Its so nice, a clumsy guy like me needs a user copy, plus ed put his magic in the glass already...remember billy's boots when we were young....I believe in eds mojo...:bsmilie:

 

[gommy]

would towgay accept any less? Its so nice, a clumsy guy like me needs a user copy, plus ed put his magic in the glass already...remember billy's boots when we were young....I believe in eds mojo...:bsmilie:

Ya, Tow-Gay purist!:thumbsup:

 

[benny]

My Canon got strange <ep> mark, so want a clean copy to compare, compare...

Dan,

The <EP> (meaning exchange post) marking does not have any bearing on the optical performance of the lens. It was used on Japanese camera gear from about 1953 to the mid seventies to indicate items purchased from the Army Duty Free (PX) stores.

This marking is less common on the Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM as there is no need to mark both the camera and the lens when sold as a set. Usually, the marking is on the body. Similarly, Nikkor equipment from the same period also carry this and other markings. The <EP> mark is the most common of all postwar markings.

If you would like to compare, it would be interesting to compare if there are any variations when they change from the Seki-Kogaku 5cm f/1.5 to the Serenar f/1.5 50mm. The lens element supposedly went from 6 elements in 4 group to 7 elements in 3 groups. However, although the J mount is also 39mm in diameter, the screw pitch is different.

Cheers,

 

[dankwan]

Hey benny, thanks for the great information! Its just a marking so I know it shouldn't affect the optics but was always wondering what that mark meant. Hacker was telling me that it was rare, that some guy who wrote the Canon book was telling him that he has never seen one etc etc. Tried to research it but nothing on google, so finally I know!

I am relatively new to Japanese RF lenses but continue to be impressed by them (and in many senses deeply poisoned), I do have a serena 28 3.5 sitting somewhere, are they in any way related?

cheers benny

Dan,

The <EP> (meaning exchange post) marking does not have any bearing on the optical performance of the lens. It was used on Japanese camera gear from about 1953 to the mid seventies to indicate items purchased from the Army Duty Free (PX) stores.

This marking is less common on the Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM as there is no need to mark both the camera and the lens when sold as a set. Usually, the marking is on the body. Similarly, Nikkor equipment from the same period also carry this and other markings. The <EP> mark is the most common of all postwar markings.

If you would like to compare, it would be interesting to compare if there are any variations when they change from the Seki-Kogaku 5cm f/1.5 to the Serenar f/1.5 50mm. The lens element supposedly went from 6 elements in 4 group to 7 elements in 3 groups. However, although the J mount is also 39mm in diameter, the screw pitch is different.

Cheers,

 

[Daikoku]

Glad you guys liked the bokeh..
;p

the lens and portraits is like match made in heaven

 

[dankwan]

Glad you guys liked the bokeh..
;p

the lens and portraits is like match made in heaven

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...my tribute to the bokeh master....

tanar 5cm f 2, neopan 1600, sticking cam out of windows and cars...

 

[Hacker]

Hey benny, thanks for the great information! Its just a marking so I know it shouldn't affect the optics but was always wondering what that mark meant. Hacker was telling me that it was rare, that some guy who wrote the Canon book was telling him that he has never seen one etc etc. Tried to research it but nothing on google, so finally I know!

I am relatively new to Japanese RF lenses but continue to be impressed by them (and in many senses deeply poisoned), I do have a serena 28 3.5 sitting somewhere, are they in any way related?

cheers benny

To be specific, he has never seen the marking on the Canon 5cm f/1.5. Must quote properly.....

 

[dankwan]

To be specific, he has never seen the marking on the Canon 5cm f/1.5. Must quote properly.....

yes boss....

 

[benny]

I am relatively new to Japanese RF lenses but continue to be impressed by them (and in many senses deeply poisoned), I do have a serena 28 3.5 sitting somewhere, are they in any way related?

The early to mid post war Japanese offerings are really quite something. Comparable or surpassing even Leica, and in some instances, only second to Zeiss.

In any case, the Serenar is just an earlier version of the Canon lens. The change in the name/brand from Serenar and Seki-Kogaku to Canon is to bring the branding inline for all photography products.

From the sound of it, you should have the small chrome type that either takes a A36 slip on filter or 34mm screw in filter. Most likely, your serial number range should be between 10450 to 12976. Made about one year before the version of the Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM that you have. The Canon 28mm f/3.5 bearing serial numbers from 13704 to 19100 should be from the same period as your 50mm f/1.5. This lens has medium contrast wide open and it improves slight when stopped down. This lens has a very small form factor and seems to find favor with a lot of users due to it's relatively low price.

Cheers,

 

[Hacker]

I thot the "EP" copy is clean, pristine & mint?:dunno:

Have you seen anything less?

 

[dankwan]

Hey benny, now you have really perked my interest in history, dug it out of my dry box. the serial's 11186 and its tiny. I rarely shoot wides so dont use it much. "Inherited" from good buddy alucard...hmm I should use it more. Thanks dude, you are a walking encyclopedia of canon...hats off sir...

The early to mid post war Japanese offerings are really quite something. Comparable or surpassing even Leica, and in some instances, only second to Zeiss.

In any case, the Serenar is just an earlier version of the Canon lens. The change in the name/brand from Serenar and Seki-Kogaku to Canon is to bring the branding inline for all photography products.

From the sound of it, you should have the small chrome type that either takes a A36 slip on filter or 34mm screw in filter. Most likely, your serial number range should be between 10450 to 12976. Made about one year before the version of the Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM that you have. The Canon 28mm f/3.5 bearing serial numbers from 13704 to 19100 should be from the same period as your 50mm f/1.5. This lens has medium contrast wide open and it improves slight when stopped down. This lens has a very small form factor and seems to find favor with a lot of users due to it's relatively low price.

Cheers,

 

[dankwan]

Have you seen anything less?

i agree, the copy is perfect...so afraid to use it....

 

[Hacker]

I am just a student now..only got 30 strokes, gotta catch up with your 90 stroke kungfu and Kow Kor's 0.95 strokes....I'm just collecting the numbers now, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5.....

You want Canon 0.85 or not? :bsmilie:

 

[dankwan]

You want Canon 0.85 or not? :bsmilie:

kow kor, dont tease lei...my old heart cannot take all this excitement....:bsmilie:

 

[Hacker]

um...because gommy, dankwan and benny are all lanky, good looking fellows and if "Big Guy" and hacker one camp, with Big Bertha type biceps and german helicopters (ground and air assault), the good looking guys get squashed?.....we just psyching you over to our side.....:bsmilie:

Hacker is Nikkor man. After checking all the top Canon lenses and accessories, e,g, 100mm f/2, 35mm f/2. 50mm f/1.4, etc, still find Nikkor quality better. In fact, they made lenses for Canon wor.....

 

[dankwan]

Hacker is Nikkor man. After checking all the top Canon lenses and accessories, e,g, 100mm f/2, 35mm f/2. 50mm f/1.4, etc, still find Nikkor quality better. In fact, they made lenses for Canon wor.....

and so that leaves only hookonclassic.....pysch war started yesterday night.....:bsmilie:

 

[gommy]

Hacker is Nikkor man. After checking all the top Canon lenses and accessories, e,g, 100mm f/2, 35mm f/2. 50mm f/1.4, etc, still find Nikkor quality better. In fact, they made lenses for Canon wor.....

Heard there's Fujinon50f1.2 for sale. Hookonclassic, quick I'm sure you can afford it.....MTL.
Only Nikkor & Asph will do for our purist tow-Gay! Not even Fujinon.