Canon 85mm f/1.9 II

The Canon 85mm f/1.9 II is a LTM-mount lens for Leica rangefinder cameras. Leica price index ↗

Reference maintained by Thomas Boots

Focal Length: 85mm

Aperture: 𝑓/1.9

Release Year (from): 1958

Diameter: 55 mm

Length: 84 mm

Minimum Focus Distance: 1m

Elements in Groups: 6/4

Mount: LTM

Material Weight: Metal, 410g

Colors: Black, Silver

Canon 85mm f/1.9 II

The Canon 85mm f/1.9 II is the restyled second-generation version of one of Canon's earliest fast rangefinder telephotos, a screw-mount portrait lens that traces its roots to the company's Serenar era. Canon introduced it in August 1958 at an original price of 29,500 yen [1]. It carries forward the six-element optical design of the earlier 85mm f/1.9 while adopting a lighter, more compact barrel and the plain "Canon" branding that had replaced the older "Serenar" name on the company's later lenses [1][2][3].

Optically the lens uses six elements arranged in four groups, a layout shared with the 1951 Serenar 85mm f/1.9 I [1][4]. It focuses down to one meter and stops down to a minimum aperture of f/22, with a 48 mm filter thread at the front [1]. The body is metal with a chrome finish, and it mounts via the Leica thread mount (M39) with full rangefinder coupling, which makes it usable on Canon, Leica and other LTM bodies and, with an adapter, on later mirrorless cameras [1][2][3]. One handling quirk noted by users is that the front aperture ring can rotate while focusing, which can make the selected f-stop hard to read in use [3].

The most useful way to distinguish the II from the earlier Serenar 85mm f/1.9 I is by size, weight and markings. Both share the same six-element, four-group formula, but the 1951 version is larger and heavier at roughly 57 x 86.5 mm and 605 g with a minimum aperture of f/16, while the 1958 II is more compact at about 55.5 x 84.7 mm and 410 g and stops down to f/22 [1][4]. On Canon's later screw-mount lenses the "Serenar" name was dropped, so an example engraved simply "Canon" rather than "Serenar" generally indicates the later production [2]. Some examples carry a red export mark associated with units sold through US military bases in Japan [3].

Optical qualities

Rendering First-hand reports of this exact lens are limited, but adapted to digital it shows the character typical of a fast 1950s telephoto. Reviewers describe it as surprisingly sharp at the center wide open for its era, with rendering that takes on character toward the edges of the frame [3].

Bokeh and transitions Out-of-focus highlights are reported to shift from round in the center to elliptical toward the corners, producing a swirling background effect that some compare to the Helios 44 series, along with occasionally distracting bright highlights in the blur [3].

Flare resistance With its early coatings the lens is prone to a loss of contrast and visible flare when shot toward the sun, an effect that can be reduced by shading the front element [3].

Aberrations Chromatic aberration is noted as a recurring trait wide open, readily correctable in software but more visible on film [3].

History

Development and Launch Canon's 85 mm f/1.9 began life in the Serenar line, with the first version marketed in August 1951 [4]. The f/1.9 II, released in August 1958, updated that lens within Canon's growing range of LTM optics, retaining the established six-element design while reducing bulk and weight and revising the aperture range [1][4]. Across the broader 85 mm f/1.9 production run the early examples were engraved "Serenar" and later ones "Canon" [2].

Production Evolution Compared with the 1951 Serenar 85mm f/1.9 I, the 1958 II keeps the same four-group, six-element construction but is markedly lighter, drops in maximum diameter and length, and extends its minimum aperture from f/16 to f/22 [1][4]. The shift from "Serenar" to plain "Canon" engraving marks the generational change in the company's screw-mount line [2].

Collector Notes When evaluating an example, confirm the engraving and dimensions to separate the lighter 1958 II from the heavier 1951 Serenar I, since the two share an optical formula but differ substantially in size and weight [1][4]. A red export mark indicates a unit sold through US military channels in Japan rather than a different optical variant [3]. As with most lenses of this age, internal haze and coating condition are worth checking, since the early coatings already limit flare control and any added haze will further reduce contrast [3]. Published sources vary on the exact dimensions and finish, so cross-checking against the maker's recorded figures is advisable.