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pvsrv · 09/12/06, 03:55 AM

I just ran across a Canon Serenar, 85mm, f2 lens for $60 US. Has anyone out there used one one of these lenses? Did you have much luck in using it for portraiture?

I was interested in buying a 75 mm to use as a portrait lens and thought this lens might be an inexpensive alternative.

Thanks

Dan

albertwang · 09/12/06, 04:50 AM

Get the Voigtlander Heliar 75mm f2.5... the Cannon mythology doesn't exist. At least you get ASPH not fuzzy duzzy.

pvsrv · 09/13/06, 12:47 AM

Thanks for sharing. Just trying to get "first hand" experiences on the Serenar.

I have the Voigtlander 21mm,f4 and the 35mm, f1.7 Ultron from so I'm pretty familiar with their lenses.

For the price, I'll probably just grab the Serenar it to see what it will do. If I don't like it, I'll either mail order a Voigtlander 75, or do some serious saving and lobbying for a Leica 75!

Thanks

Dan

bill · 09/13/06, 09:08 AM

Dan, Albert is engaging fingers before putting brain in gear. The Serenar yo are referring to has nothing to do with his pathological detestation of all things "Cannon", and dates back to when they used to make "proper cameras". I don't know for a fact, but I suspect it is a Sonnar design, similar to the Russian Jupiter-9. If so, it will be soft- an ideal portrait lens. I'm also assuming that it is an L039 thread mount. For the price just go for it and have some fun, but don't expect modern performance.

Regards,

Bill

pvsrv · 09/14/06, 01:20 AM

Thanks Bill. For the price, I think it would be silly not to try it out. I have a IIIf with a Leica 50 mm Summitar from that era. I'll just test out the Serenar against that lens to check out performance.

I'd still like to get a more "modern" 75mm lens for use with the M6. In the meantime, my 50mm 'Cron and M6 will continue to be my primary combo.

Thanks again and happy shooting!

Dan

back alley · 09/15/06, 12:49 AM

the canon 85/2 lens is extremely sharp.
also big and heavy but worth it.

joe

kodaktrix · 09/15/06, 05:59 AM

I have never used the Serenar 85/2 but I use the Canon 85/2 (black). As Joe said, it is an extremly sharp lens, which had an outstanding reputation at its production time. For the differences Serenar/Canon look here:

Canon Camera Museum | Camera Hall

Best regards

Oliver

09/12/06, 03:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
pvsrv Neuer Benutzer Join Date: 08/10/04 Location: Chicago Posts: 29	Canon Serenar I just ran across a Canon Serenar, 85mm, f2 lens for $60 US. Has anyone out there used one one of these lenses? Did you have much luck in using it for portraiture? I was interested in buying a 75 mm to use as a portrait lens and thought this lens might be an inexpensive alternative. Thanks Dan

09/12/06, 04:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
albertwang Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 06/28/06 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,500	Re: Canon Serenar Get the Voigtlander Heliar 75mm f2.5... the Cannon mythology doesn't exist. At least you get ASPH not fuzzy duzzy.

09/13/06, 12:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
pvsrv Neuer Benutzer Join Date: 08/10/04 Location: Chicago Posts: 29	Re: Canon Serenar Thanks for sharing. Just trying to get "first hand" experiences on the Serenar. I have the Voigtlander 21mm,f4 and the 35mm, f1.7 Ultron from so I'm pretty familiar with their lenses. For the price, I'll probably just grab the Serenar it to see what it will do. If I don't like it, I'll either mail order a Voigtlander 75, or do some serious saving and lobbying for a Leica 75! Thanks Dan

09/13/06, 09:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
bill Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 01/27/03 Location: Frimley Posts: 2,058	Re: Canon Serenar Dan, Albert is engaging fingers before putting brain in gear. The Serenar yo are referring to has nothing to do with his pathological detestation of all things "Cannon", and dates back to when they used to make "proper cameras". I don't know for a fact, but I suspect it is a Sonnar design, similar to the Russian Jupiter-9. If so, it will be soft- an ideal portrait lens. I'm also assuming that it is an L039 thread mount. For the price just go for it and have some fun, but don't expect modern performance. Regards, Bill

09/14/06, 01:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
pvsrv Neuer Benutzer Join Date: 08/10/04 Location: Chicago Posts: 29	Re: Canon Serenar Thanks Bill. For the price, I think it would be silly not to try it out. I have a IIIf with a Leica 50 mm Summitar from that era. I'll just test out the Serenar against that lens to check out performance. I'd still like to get a more "modern" 75mm lens for use with the M6. In the meantime, my 50mm 'Cron and M6 will continue to be my primary combo. Thanks again and happy shooting! Dan

09/15/06, 12:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
back alley Neuer Benutzer Join Date: 07/20/06 Posts: 9	Re: Canon Serenar the canon 85/2 lens is extremely sharp. also big and heavy but worth it. joe

09/15/06, 05:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
kodaktrix Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 10/14/03 Posts: 450	AW: Canon Serenar I have never used the Serenar 85/2 but I use the Canon 85/2 (black). As Joe said, it is an extremly sharp lens, which had an outstanding reputation at its production time. For the differences Serenar/Canon look here: Canon Camera Museum \| Camera Hall Best regards Oliver

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