Canon 50mm f/1.5

Canon 50mm f/1.5

Among Canon's early large-aperture rangefinder lenses, the 50mm f/1.5 stands out as the company's Sonnar-derived fast standard, built for Leica screw mount cameras and Canon's own Barnack-style bodies. Canon developed it from the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 formula, and it followed the slower Serenar 50mm f/1.9 and f/1.8 in the lineup [1][3]. At the time, producing a fast standard lens was regarded as a marker of a high-class camera maker, and the f/1.5 gave Canon a flagship normal optic alongside its rangefinder cameras [1]. The lens reached the market in November 1952 at an original price of 36,500 yen [1].

The optical design uses seven elements in three groups, the classic compact arrangement of the Sonnar family, with an unusually high count of 13 diaphragm blades that close down to f/16 [1][3]. It focuses to one metre and is rangefinder coupled on compatible bodies, accepting 40mm screw-in filters and hoods [1][3]. The screw-mount barrel is chrome and densely built, and reviewers describe a heavy, brass-feeling body that handles smoothly, with a long focus throw and an infinity lock typical of lenses of the era and a gently clicked aperture ring [2]. Canon referred to the Leica thread mount as its S-mount, and the lens mounts on M39 bodies and, with an adapter, on Leica M cameras [3].

The lens appeared under two names, Canon and Serenar, which refer to the same optic [3]. It was an early member of Canon's S lens family, and later Canon moved its fast 50mm designs to Gauss-type formulas, introducing the 50mm f/1.2 in 1956, the more compact 50mm f/1.4 in 1957, and the exotic 50mm f/0.95 in 1961, leaving the f/1.5 as the company's Sonnar-type standard from the earlier period [3].

Optical qualities

Rendering As a Sonnar-derived design, the lens shows the family's characteristic behavior. Wide open at f/1.5 it is soft and glowy with low contrast and a tendency to flare, traits driven by spherical aberration that also soften the out-of-focus areas and produce a glowing transition zone [2]. Stopping down to f/2 raises contrast a little, reduces the glow and flare, and smooths the bokeh while retaining much of the wide-open character [2]. By f/4 contrast and resolution increase noticeably for images with more pop, though the sharpness never becomes harsh, and by f/8 the lens performs well for general shooting [2]. One reviewer noted visible vignetting wide open [2]. Another user reports good resolution at the point of focus and smooth, unobtrusive blur both in front of and behind the subject [3].

History

Development and Launch Canon designed the 50mm f/1.5 from the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5, and it was the next step up in speed after the Serenar 50mm f/1.9 and 50mm f/1.8 [1]. It was marketed in November 1952 [1]. Around this period several makers offered Sonnar-type fast fifties for screw-mount Leica-compatible cameras, and Canon's f/1.5 matched the brightness of the Zeiss Sonnar it was based on [3].

Production Evolution The lens was sold under both the Canon and Serenar names, which denote the same optical design [1][3].

Special editions No widely documented factory special editions of this lens are recorded in the consulted sources beyond the Canon and Serenar branding variants [1][3].

Collector Notes Because both Canon-branded and Serenar-branded barrels exist for the same optic, buyers should treat the two names as the same lens rather than different versions [3]. As with any chrome rangefinder lens of this age, condition is the main concern. One reviewer warns that a suspiciously mint-looking copy can hide problems, in this case element separation in the rear group, which is one reason a lens may show little wear, so the elements should be inspected for separation, haze, and fungus before purchase [2]. The Canon Camera Museum lists the weight as 295 g, slightly above the value recorded here, a small discrepancy worth noting [1]. Accessories to verify include the 40mm screw-in filters and hood [1][3].

Sources

• [1] Canon Camera Museum. Serenar 50mm f/1.5. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/s17.html
• [2] 35mmc. Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM Review, Exploring the Classic Sonnars Pt.9. https://www.35mmc.com/05/08/2019/canon-50mm-f-1-5-ltm-review-exploring-sonnars/
• [3] Shige's hobby. Sonnar of CANON S 50mm F1.5. https://shige-art.net/en/canon-50mm15-l39/