Jump to content

Need help determining a Canon Serenar lens mount


Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi, this Canon Serenar 100mm f/4 lens is not M39 (LTM) lens mount, like most are. It has four flanges, but no external threads. Is it M mount? Something for cinematography?

 

Thanks! (non-Leica owner trying to get to the bottom of this mystery)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited by buckyfullerene
Link to post
Share on other sites

In 1953 Canon began selling lenses with other mounts, while they were also phasing out the Serenar name. I don't see the 100 f4 listed as one of these, but the 100 f3.5 is so listed. Both Contax (and Nikon) and Exakta mounts are known, and I've seen reference to use on early Miranda.

The pictures look more like an M mount, but not the usual LTM adapter. The lens has a linkage for rangefinder follower, which the above models would not need, and it looks too deeply recessed to be functional.

Since the Serenars phased out before the Leica M3 was released, and since the M mount was tightly patented, Canon would not have attempted a conversion then.

Perhaps a custom mount made by an outside technician.

Link to post
Share on other sites

It is definitely a Leica M adapter, but the machining does not look like it is made by Leica.  You may have to use a Leica M body as a "wrench" to unscrew the lens from the adapter.  I can see one hole in the adapter; there is probably another hole on the other side.  These holes can be used with a lens ring wrench to remove the adapter if it is hard to remove from the Leica M body.

 

The linkage for the rangefinder follower is at the closest distance position.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the feedback. I think you're right, Erfahrener, that it's an adapter, maybe a custom-made adapter. And yes, there's another hole on the opposite side. Do you think it might be functional as-is on an M-body? (I don't have one to test out).

Edited by buckyfullerene
Link to post
Share on other sites

If it is a Leica M adapter, I would think it would definitely be functional on an M body...otherwise why make it. Now whether it is the proper thickness for 100% accurate focusing is another matter. FWIW, all the Chinese ones I've picked up over the years work just fine as do the Leica ones.

Link to post
Share on other sites

It doesn't appear to be capable of rangefinder focusing (no machined rebate in the flange for the focusing arm).

That's right - without that cutout in the adapted mount the cameras roller arm could never reach the mating mechanism in the lens.

If you can remove the adapter, and the lens is the more modern Canon compatible thread (very early Canon had different thread dimensions), you could just change to a proper LTM-M adapter.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...