Canon Serenar 50mm f/1.8 -- it's THAT good.

[cooltouch]

A couple weeks ago, I ordered a 39mm to 42mm adapter from a Chinese seller on eBay. All it is is a threaded bushing -- a ring about 5mm wide with threads on the inside and outside.

I wasn't really sure why I wanted it, I just knew that I did. Well, it arrived today, so the first thing I did was thread it onto my 50 Serenar, then dig out an old Canon Lens Converter P I've owned for the past 20 years or so but never used. The LC-P is designed to mount M42 lenses onto Canon FD bodies, allowing infinity focus to be retained. So I then threaded the lens and adapter onto the LC-P. And just for grins, I mounted it onto my old Canon F-1.



Things looked pretty sharp looking through the F-1's viewfinder. In-focus distance from the subject to the front of the lens was about eight inches (200mm). Interestingly enough, this distance barely changes when racking the lens from near to far focus.

Next, I dug out my FD-EOS adapter, and attached the lens to my EOS DSLR.



The FD-EOS adapter has a correcting lens so that FD lenses will achieve ionfinity focus, which gave me a bit more focusing distance with this M39 lens, but not much. And since it didn't make much difference where I had the focusing ring set, I had to move the camera forwards and backwards to achieve focus. It was hit or miss when I was trying to get shots of foliage, but this one wasn't bad:

50mm Serenar wide open at f/1.8


When I tried stopping down, there was just enough breeze to ruin my photos because of the slower shutter speeds, so I gave up and looked for stationary subjects. Turns out there were many thousands of them at my feet. All photos were taken hand-held and no sharpening was done to any of them.

50mm Serenar wide open at f/1.8


50mm Serenar at f/8 (note the bug)


And a couple of 100% crops of the acorns. First one is wide open, second one is at f/8.

50 Serenar wide open


50 Serenar at f/8


Okay, I am very impressed with this lens. Not only does it do a great job with black and white images, as you can see, it handles color very well also. Sharpness and contrast are very impressive. Keep in mind that I was having to shoot through the glass element in the FD-EOS adapter also. Plus, there appears to be very little fall-off in sharpness at the corners (granted this is a 1.6 cropped image, but I've noticed similar sharpness with my Canon IIIa).

Back in a previous lifetime when I was a camera dealer, Serenars had just an okay reputation. They were considered "decent lenses for the money" and they were priced fairly cheaply back in those days. Now, I can see why they have risen in price so much since then. Guess I need to start saving my coins for a 35mm Serenar to add to this 50.
_________________
Michael


Canon FD: F-1n, FTbn, FTb, AE-1P, Canon Power Winder A, Canon Power Winder F, Sportfinder F, Vivitar 17mm f/3.5, Vivitar 35mm f/1.9, 50mm f/1.4 SSC, 50mm f/1.8 SC, FL 55mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical, 200mm f/4, 400mm f/4.5 IF, 35-105mm f/3.5, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Vivitar S1 24-48mm f/3.8, Vivitar S1 28-105mm f/2.8-3.8
Canon EOS: Elan IIe, XS (1000D), EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 IV USM, 70-210mm f/4, 75-300mm f/4-5.6 II USM, Tamron 24-70 f/3.3-5.6 Aspherical, 420 EZ strobe
Canon Rangefinder: IIIa, Serenar 50mm f/1.8, Serenar 100mm f/4, Kyoei Super Acall 135mm f/3.5, Canon AF35ML P&S
Nikon F: F2 w/MD-2/MB-2, F2S w/MD-2/MB-1, FE w/MD12, 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 55mm f/3.5 Micro, 105mm f/2.5, 80-200mm f/4.5, Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5, Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 Macro, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Tokina AT-X 100-300 f/4 SD, PB-4/PS-4
Olympus: OM-1, OM-1n, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm f/3.5, Vivitar 28mm f/2.8, XA
Pentax K:KX, MV, 50mm f/2 SMCP, Kalimar 28-200mm f/3.9
Fuji: Finepix S3000 3mp digicam
Bronica: ETRSi, prism finder, 75mm f/3.5, 150mm f/3.5, 120, 220, Grip E.
Yashica:Mat 124 TLR, Electro 35 GT
Tamron Adaptall: 24mm f/2.5, SP 90mm f/2.5 Macro, 35-80mm f/2.8-3.5, 80-210mm f/3.8-4, SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4, SP 1.4x, SP 2x
T-Mount: Century Precision Optics Tele Athenar 500mm f/5.6 and 650mm f/6.8
Other Stuff: Minolta AF2 P&S, Spiratone Telescope eyepiece adapter (converts T-mount lens to telescope), Cambron zoom slide duplicator (T-Mount), Opteka Digital Slide Duplicator
Strobes: Metz 60 CT-1, Braun F900, Vivitar 283, 285, Yashica Pro-50 DX, Yuzo DC2814 Ring Light

My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/

My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/

[AhamB]

Looks great! I think this lens should be nice to use on a Sony NEX or µFT camera.

[cooltouch]

So do I, unfortunately The prices are high now. But I suspect the new NEX crowd will drive them even higher.
_________________
Michael


Canon FD: F-1n, FTbn, FTb, AE-1P, Canon Power Winder A, Canon Power Winder F, Sportfinder F, Vivitar 17mm f/3.5, Vivitar 35mm f/1.9, 50mm f/1.4 SSC, 50mm f/1.8 SC, FL 55mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical, 200mm f/4, 400mm f/4.5 IF, 35-105mm f/3.5, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Vivitar S1 24-48mm f/3.8, Vivitar S1 28-105mm f/2.8-3.8
Canon EOS: Elan IIe, XS (1000D), EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 IV USM, 70-210mm f/4, 75-300mm f/4-5.6 II USM, Tamron 24-70 f/3.3-5.6 Aspherical, 420 EZ strobe
Canon Rangefinder: IIIa, Serenar 50mm f/1.8, Serenar 100mm f/4, Kyoei Super Acall 135mm f/3.5, Canon AF35ML P&S
Nikon F: F2 w/MD-2/MB-2, F2S w/MD-2/MB-1, FE w/MD12, 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 55mm f/3.5 Micro, 105mm f/2.5, 80-200mm f/4.5, Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5, Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 Macro, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Tokina AT-X 100-300 f/4 SD, PB-4/PS-4
Olympus: OM-1, OM-1n, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm f/3.5, Vivitar 28mm f/2.8, XA
Pentax K:KX, MV, 50mm f/2 SMCP, Kalimar 28-200mm f/3.9
Fuji: Finepix S3000 3mp digicam
Bronica: ETRSi, prism finder, 75mm f/3.5, 150mm f/3.5, 120, 220, Grip E.
Yashica:Mat 124 TLR, Electro 35 GT
Tamron Adaptall: 24mm f/2.5, SP 90mm f/2.5 Macro, 35-80mm f/2.8-3.5, 80-210mm f/3.8-4, SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4, SP 1.4x, SP 2x
T-Mount: Century Precision Optics Tele Athenar 500mm f/5.6 and 650mm f/6.8
Other Stuff: Minolta AF2 P&S, Spiratone Telescope eyepiece adapter (converts T-mount lens to telescope), Cambron zoom slide duplicator (T-Mount), Opteka Digital Slide Duplicator
Strobes: Metz 60 CT-1, Braun F900, Vivitar 283, 285, Yashica Pro-50 DX, Yuzo DC2814 Ring Light

My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/

My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/

[kds315*]

Well, I would rather also shoot some not so "brown in greenish grey" tone targets and check for high contrast situations and also have a look at color reproduction....
_________________
Klaus - Moderator

"S'il vient à point, me souviendra" [Thomas Bohier (1460-1523)]

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary


Currently most FAV lens(es):

Hypergon f11/26mm
Zeiss UV-Planar f4/60mm
Lomo Уфар-12 f2.5/41mm
Nikon UV Nikkor f4.5/105mm
Zeiss UV-Sonnar f4.3/105mm
CERCO UV-VIS-NIR f4.1/94mm
Pentax Quartz Takumar f3.5/85mm
Rodenstock UV-Rodagon f5.6/60mm
Pentax Ultra-Achromatic Takumar f4.5/85mm
Voigtländer Apo-Macro-Lanthar f2.5 125mm SL

[cooltouch]

So would I, Klaus, but the biggest problem I have is that whatever I take a pic of with my EOS has to be about 8" to 9" away from the lens. Good point though. I'll look around for some yellows and reds and blues. If/when I find a good subject, I'll update this thread with the new photos.

As for contrast, I do have a separate thread about this lens and the Canon IIIa rangefinder, where I show some pretty contrasty photos in B&W. You can see that thread here:

http://forum.mflenses.com/canon-iiia-with-50mm-f-1-8-serenar-and-plus-x-pan-t35947.html
_________________
Michael


Canon FD: F-1n, FTbn, FTb, AE-1P, Canon Power Winder A, Canon Power Winder F, Sportfinder F, Vivitar 17mm f/3.5, Vivitar 35mm f/1.9, 50mm f/1.4 SSC, 50mm f/1.8 SC, FL 55mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical, 200mm f/4, 400mm f/4.5 IF, 35-105mm f/3.5, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Vivitar S1 24-48mm f/3.8, Vivitar S1 28-105mm f/2.8-3.8
Canon EOS: Elan IIe, XS (1000D), EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 IV USM, 70-210mm f/4, 75-300mm f/4-5.6 II USM, Tamron 24-70 f/3.3-5.6 Aspherical, 420 EZ strobe
Canon Rangefinder: IIIa, Serenar 50mm f/1.8, Serenar 100mm f/4, Kyoei Super Acall 135mm f/3.5, Canon AF35ML P&S
Nikon F: F2 w/MD-2/MB-2, F2S w/MD-2/MB-1, FE w/MD12, 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 55mm f/3.5 Micro, 105mm f/2.5, 80-200mm f/4.5, Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5, Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 Macro, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Tokina AT-X 100-300 f/4 SD, PB-4/PS-4
Olympus: OM-1, OM-1n, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm f/3.5, Vivitar 28mm f/2.8, XA
Pentax K:KX, MV, 50mm f/2 SMCP, Kalimar 28-200mm f/3.9
Fuji: Finepix S3000 3mp digicam
Bronica: ETRSi, prism finder, 75mm f/3.5, 150mm f/3.5, 120, 220, Grip E.
Yashica:Mat 124 TLR, Electro 35 GT
Tamron Adaptall: 24mm f/2.5, SP 90mm f/2.5 Macro, 35-80mm f/2.8-3.5, 80-210mm f/3.8-4, SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4, SP 1.4x, SP 2x
T-Mount: Century Precision Optics Tele Athenar 500mm f/5.6 and 650mm f/6.8
Other Stuff: Minolta AF2 P&S, Spiratone Telescope eyepiece adapter (converts T-mount lens to telescope), Cambron zoom slide duplicator (T-Mount), Opteka Digital Slide Duplicator
Strobes: Metz 60 CT-1, Braun F900, Vivitar 283, 285, Yashica Pro-50 DX, Yuzo DC2814 Ring Light

My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/

My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/

[uhoh7]

How does the serenar differ from the canon?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-35mm-f1-8-Leica-screw-mount-Wide-angle-CLAd-/160532768834?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item25607fa842

If you ever want to get rid of the serenar, PM me!
_________________
Can't remember them all

[cooltouch]

Nope, that old Serenar's a keeper. I'm not an expert on Canon lens nomenclature -- perhaps someone else can help out. About all I know is that Canon switched over from the Serenar name to just "Canon" rather late in the production of its LTM lenses. I believe also characteristic of the Canon lenses were first the black nose, and later black everything look:

Click here to see on Ebay

Perhaps in response to Leica's later M-series lenses?
_________________
Michael


Canon FD: F-1n, FTbn, FTb, AE-1P, Canon Power Winder A, Canon Power Winder F, Sportfinder F, Vivitar 17mm f/3.5, Vivitar 35mm f/1.9, 50mm f/1.4 SSC, 50mm f/1.8 SC, FL 55mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical, 200mm f/4, 400mm f/4.5 IF, 35-105mm f/3.5, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Vivitar S1 24-48mm f/3.8, Vivitar S1 28-105mm f/2.8-3.8
Canon EOS: Elan IIe, XS (1000D), EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 IV USM, 70-210mm f/4, 75-300mm f/4-5.6 II USM, Tamron 24-70 f/3.3-5.6 Aspherical, 420 EZ strobe
Canon Rangefinder: IIIa, Serenar 50mm f/1.8, Serenar 100mm f/4, Kyoei Super Acall 135mm f/3.5, Canon AF35ML P&S
Nikon F: F2 w/MD-2/MB-2, F2S w/MD-2/MB-1, FE w/MD12, 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 55mm f/3.5 Micro, 105mm f/2.5, 80-200mm f/4.5, Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5, Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 Macro, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Tokina AT-X 100-300 f/4 SD, PB-4/PS-4
Olympus: OM-1, OM-1n, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm f/3.5, Vivitar 28mm f/2.8, XA
Pentax K:KX, MV, 50mm f/2 SMCP, Kalimar 28-200mm f/3.9
Fuji: Finepix S3000 3mp digicam
Bronica: ETRSi, prism finder, 75mm f/3.5, 150mm f/3.5, 120, 220, Grip E.
Yashica:Mat 124 TLR, Electro 35 GT
Tamron Adaptall: 24mm f/2.5, SP 90mm f/2.5 Macro, 35-80mm f/2.8-3.5, 80-210mm f/3.8-4, SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4, SP 1.4x, SP 2x
T-Mount: Century Precision Optics Tele Athenar 500mm f/5.6 and 650mm f/6.8
Other Stuff: Minolta AF2 P&S, Spiratone Telescope eyepiece adapter (converts T-mount lens to telescope), Cambron zoom slide duplicator (T-Mount), Opteka Digital Slide Duplicator
Strobes: Metz 60 CT-1, Braun F900, Vivitar 283, 285, Yashica Pro-50 DX, Yuzo DC2814 Ring Light

My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/

My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/

[AhamB]

Can't you use the lens with a regular m39 adapter (without the EF-FD adapter in between), or does the lens have a protruding rear element?

[AhamB]

[uhoh7]

Wonder what's the difference between yours and a f/1.9?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-50mm-f1-9-Canon-Serenar-Lens-39mm-LSM-/120672782363?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item1c18a8881b
_________________
Can't remember them all

[uhoh7]

[casualcollector]

[cooltouch]

[cooltouch]

[cooltouch]