p.1 #1 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
This little Canon lens can be had all day long on eBay for anything between $100 and up and comes in a variety of conditions. This one came in around $200, has its flaws, shows appropriate wear-n-tear for a 50+ year old lens, but still manages to perform well for a cheap, fast fifty.
It has its own unique rendering that definitely won't be mistaken for any modern 50s, but at the same time this lens can cast a mood over an image that most modern lenses can't provide. The images posted below are from a 1958 Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM Type I.
Sony RX1r
March 2015
Leica M9 with Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM
November 2015
Taipei
Leica M9 with Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM
April 2015
Paris
Leica M9 with Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM
April 2015
Paris
Leica M9 with Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM
March 2015
Taipei
Leica M9 with Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM
November 2015
Taipei
p.1 #2 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
Lovely B&W conversions-that's really what they were designed for. These venerable Canons suffer from separation of glued elements so beware.
The buzz about the ƒ/1.2 and 0.95 versions obscures the fact that this was and remains an unsung gem. Arguably, Canon and Nikon 50s were superior to their Leica counterparts of the era.
p.1 #3 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
What I find so interesting about the Canon 50/1.4 is how relatively tame its rendering is compared to a lot of the other 50s of the era and earlier... Compared to Leica Summar, Summitar, Summarit, Zeiss Sonnar and the Nikkor Sonnar based 50s, it feels downright modern in comparison, particularly stopped down a touch. Other than somewhat lower contrast, saturation and color balance, I would have difficulty identifying it in images mixed in with those made by modern 50s.
Interesting to read about current pricing. I haven't checked for a year or two, when it seemed to be more in the $300+ range.
Only criticism I have of this line of Canon LTMs (vs. the Serenars) is they seem to be less robustly made and feel delicate compared to other brands of the era.
p.1 #4 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
I just picked one up recently on the B&S forum for peanuts. My first LTM lens. It is a lot better wide open than I had expected - quite a bit less glow than a few of my other newer SLR 50mm f/1.4 lenses. Small enough that I forget that it's a f/1.4 and not f/2. I also appreciate having the 9-bladed aperture rather than the 6 of my Contax 50mm f/1.4.
I've used some for some color, but in B&W it really is special.
Nothing much to share yet, still in the cats and kids phase of getting to know a lens.
p.1 #6 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
rscheffler wrote:
...it feels downright modern in comparison, particularly stopped down a touch. Other than somewhat lower contrast, saturation and color balance, I would have difficulty identifying it in images mixed in with those made by modern 50s.
You're right, stopped down it does have a look similar to modern 50s. In fact, with this sample, I feel like the contrast, color and saturation is better than what I expected.
If you're interested, here's a full size sample...
p.1 #7 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
The 50/1.2 LTM is no slouch, it impressed me straight out of the gate, and feels at home on my A7r, I've been debating whether or not to defeat the infinity lock to improve handling.
It's rendering is smooth, and not funky like the 0.95 tends to be.
The Nikkor 50's are also nice, and they can focus much closer.
One of my favourite RF 50's is my Topcor-S 50/2, it's smooth, sharp and nice color, and is in the same range as the Canon 50/1.4. But it's much less common.
p.1 #9 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
I bought my 50/1.4LTM quite by chance. It was offered to me straight after I had bought a Hawks adapter from the same seller. I haven't regretted my purchase.
p.1 #10 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
Thanks for reminding me of this lens. On NEX5n bodies, the Canon LTM 50/1.4 together with a 25mm (Snapshot-Skopar or Biogon ZM) gave me something close to a 35/75 set. I can't recall what prompted me to buy it but I've never regretted the purchase.
This is another example of how all the complaining about Leica prices misses the fundamental point: A7.mod, M8 or M9 is really all you need to spend money on. Many good lenses like this one in 300USD range.
This lens will always be cheap: they made very many. Both versions optically identical.
@Genji
good as this 50 is, I'd say the 100/2 and 85/1.8 are more remarkable. Also much much more rare and expensive.
Another sleeper is the ultra light 100/3.5, which is jaw droppingly sharp and under 200USD.
Those are 1954 prices, I think
This was the last and best design (first telephoto 85): Canon ltm by unoh7, 85/1.8
under 2000 copies of this and the 100/2 compared to over 50.000 copies of the 50/1.2!
p.1 #14 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
sebboh wrote:
don't forget the 35/2. very good performer bargain price.
Only now are they coming into real "bargin" level Here you can steal a really nice one
No doubt, technically the best Canon 35, inspiration of the CV 35/2.5. But I would first take the 35/1.5
Hiroshi Itoh's masterpiece the 1953 85/1.5 Only 1800 made. Mistakenly dismissed as "soft wide open" it's gorgeous wide open, fantastic bokeh and very sharp by f/4. Heavy. I paid 500.
p.1 #15 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
uhoh7 wrote:
No doubt, technically the best Canon 35, inspiration of the CV 35/2.5. But I would first take the 35/1.5
too swirly, even for me (ok, i'd have fun with it but it's not a do everything kinda lens). i actually had a chance to get one for $200 and i passed it up...
This is another example of how all the complaining about Leica prices misses the fundamental point: A7.mod, M8 or M9 is really all you need to spend money on. Many good lenses like this one in 300USD range.
This lens will always be cheap: they made very many. Both versions optically identical.
@Genji
good as this 50 is, I'd say the 100/2 and 85/1.8 are more remarkable. Also much much more rare and expensive.
Golly, I like the look of that 85/1.8. There are multiple copies of the 100/2 on the auction site but no sign of the 85/1.8, even in completed listings.
It's funny but, when I was looking at your photograph of the 85/1.8, I thought "That's strange, where's the adapter?" Then I realized it was mounted on an M9 so the "adapter" isn't visible.
p.1 #17 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
Unsung gem indeed.
So far, its what I found to be the least problematic old RF fast 50mm on the A7.
Sharp enough wide open just off center.
Sharpens up well stopped down.
Generally good 'mild' bokeh in most situations (can't be said of many 50's of that era, which are more characterful)
p.1 #18 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
What vintage lens don't you have, Charlie? Let me know when you no longer want the 100/2, 100/3.5 or 85/1.8... Any experience with the Canon 28 LTMs?
uhoh7 wrote:
No doubt, technically the best Canon 35, inspiration of the CV 35/2.5. But I would first take the 35/1.5
sebboh wrote:
too swirly, even for me (ok, i'd have fun with it but it's not a do everything kinda lens). i actually had a chance to get one for $200 and i passed it up...
I'd go for the 35 Lux pre-ASPH. I also suspect stopped down to f/2 and it will be similar to the 35 Cron v1?
I thought the Canon 35/1.5 sells for a lot more? If so, you should have bought and flipped it! A year or two ago I was kind of looking for one, but put it on the back burner.
Anyone looking for a Canon 85/1.5, there's one listed on RFF for 600 Euro. Not sure if it's a good price. He's also selling a 35/2, which I agree is a very good lens.
p.1 #19 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
rscheffler wrote:
I'd go for the 35 Lux pre-ASPH. I also suspect stopped down to f/2 and it will be similar to the 35 Cron v1?
I thought the Canon 35/1.5 sells for a lot more? If so, you should have bought and flipped it! A year or two ago I was kind of looking for one, but put it on the back burner.
yeah, the 35/1.5 was a beater copy with some not really detrimental glass marks, wan't really sure how easy to sell it would be if i didn't like it.
my impression from shooting with the lux pre-asph and looking at other peoples cron v1 images is that cron has noticeably harder edges to the bokeh at f/2 than the lux pre-asph (probably true of all the pre-asph crons), not that the lux pre-asph is what you'd call smooth... http://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5765/21425062794_03e5cca189_o.jpg
i think i might like some aspects of the cron v1 better than the lux pre-asph, but not by a lot, and i'm pretty sure the lux pre-asph is better for f/2 portraits. the two lenses seem more similar than different though.
p.1 #20 · The Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM - Abundant and Still a Bargain
Thanks Derek. I'm not averse to that kind of rendering. Not at all. Given the price of the Cron v1, the pre-ASPH also gives you that extra stop and glowy goodness, if desired. Just wish I could find one at a bargain price.
