Canon 85mm f/1.5 I

Canon 85mm f/1.5 I

Among the fastest screw-mount short telephotos of the early 1950s, the Canon 85mm f/1.5 was Canon's answer to the large-aperture portrait lenses offered by Leitz and others for the Leica thread mount. It was designed by Itō Hiroshi and reached the market in June 1952, developed from the earlier and slower Serenar 85mm f/1.9 of 1951 [1][2]. The first version, designated "I," is the heavy chrome-barrelled original; Canon later reworked the design into the 85mm f/1.5 II with a lighter aluminium alloy barrel [1][2]. Production of the 85mm f/1.5 line ran into 1960, and surviving figures suggest it was made in modest numbers despite frequent appearances in Canon catalogues and advertising [2].

Optically the lens is a Gauss-type design with seven elements arranged in four groups, a relatively complex formula for a fast medium telephoto of the period [1][2]. It uses a 20-blade diaphragm that closes to f/16 and focuses to one metre [1]. The lens is supplied in the 39mm Leica thread mount and mounts on Leica M bodies through a screw-to-bayonet adapter, where it brings up the 90mm framelines on most cameras; like other Canon rangefinder lenses of the era, it is rangefinder coupled through the standard LTM cam, though originality of any individual sample should be confirmed before purchase. Build quality is solid, and the early chrome version is notably dense and heavy compared with later black-finished Canon telephotos.

Identification rests largely on finish and version: the "I" is the chrome original, while the later II adopted a lighter alloy barrel, and the family went through several iterations before production ended [1][2]. Collectors should note that published specifications for the early chrome lens vary, and some sources record a larger filter thread and a heavier weight than those listed here, so it is worth measuring an actual lens rather than relying on a single catalogue figure.

Optical qualities

Rendering Documented impressions of the Canon 85mm f/1.5 come mainly from collector and user accounts rather than formal testing. The general consensus is that it can render with a soft, glowing quality wide open that firms up as it is stopped down, with smooth out-of-focus areas typical of a fast Gauss-type portrait lens. Reports of a slightly swirly background character appear among users, though such accounts are anecdotal and vary between samples and bodies. As with most uncoated-era or early-coated fast lenses, results depend heavily on the condition of the glass and coatings.

History

Development and Launch The 85mm f/1.5 was introduced in June 1952 as a fast complement to Canon's slower 85mm offerings for the Leica thread mount [1]. It was designed by Itō Hiroshi and grew out of the Serenar 85mm f/1.9 of 1951, adopting a larger maximum aperture while retaining the Gauss-type layout [1][2]. The lens carried the Serenar name in its earliest form and was also sold under the Canon brand as the company moved away from the Serenar designation in the early 1950s [1].

Production Evolution After the chrome "I" version, Canon revised the lens into the 85mm f/1.5 II, switching to a lighter aluminium alloy barrel while keeping the seven-element optical formula [1][2]. The design continued through further iterations until production of the f/1.5 ended around 1960 [2]. Collector references indicate the lens sold in relatively small numbers across its run [2].

Collector Notes Buyers should verify which version they are handling, since the chrome "I" differs in weight and barrel material from the lighter later examples [1][2]. Because it is a fast vintage lens, internal haze and coating condition are common concerns and have a direct effect on contrast and on the lens's tendency to glow wide open. Period accessories such as the correct clamp-on hood are sometimes substituted with later or incorrect types, so accessory originality is worth checking before buying.

Sources

• [1] Canon Inc. Serenar 85mm f/1.5 I - Canon Camera Museum. https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/s23.html
• [2] TheVintageLensGuy. Canon Serenar 85mm f1.5 LTM (M39). https://thevintagelensguy.com/products/canon-serenar-85mm-f1-5-ltm-m39