This lens is the Canon answer to the Summarex 85 1.5 and the Nikkor-SC 8.5cm F1.5. Canon made about 2350 (Peter Kitchingman) of these lenses, Leica made about 4000 Summarex's, and Nikon made about 2000 8.5cm F1.5 lenses total, about 500 in Leica mount. The Canon sells for a fraction of the price of the other two. (ADDED 2021: The price on this lens has skyrocketed over the years, just like the price of the Canon 50/0.95. Far more of the latter were made.)
The Canon 85 F1.5 is a Planar type lens, 7 elements in 4 groups, arranged 1-3-2-1, identical configuration of the 5cm F1.5 Simlar lens that came with my Leotax. A uniquely Japanese formula lens, computed in 1937. I have the Simlar. The Leica lens is a Planar type, 7 elements in 5 groups, 1-2-2-1-1, similar to the 5cm F1.5 Leitz Xenon. The Nikkor is a 7 element in 3 group Sonnar, 1-3-3.
I've never shot with the Summarex or the Nikkor. I am very, very happy with the results from the Canon. This lens is reputed to be prone to flare, low-contrast, and soft. The glass on mine is close to perfect, no internal haze. It is much sharper than I thought it would be, and seems to be higher contrast than the Canon 85/2 that I owned. Swirly Bokeh, but well corrected for spherical aberration.
Wide-Open on the M9, ISO2500.
Marine Museum by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr
Full res Jpeg uploaded for this shot. The battery was weak, some shots show banding. But not this one.
ISO 160, wide-open:
Marine Museum by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr
I chose this shot for the reflection in the picture. The lens handled it quite well.
The only downside of the lens: Wide-Open in direct sun and some high-contrast light, I noted Purple Fringing. I used LR on a few shots to get rid of it.
Closest Focus, wide-open.
Marine Museum by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr
New memorial at the Marine Museum.
Marine Museum by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr
Focus is PERFECT on my M9.
The Canon 85 F1.5 is a Planar type lens, 7 elements in 4 groups, arranged 1-3-2-1, identical configuration of the 5cm F1.5 Simlar lens that came with my Leotax. A uniquely Japanese formula lens, computed in 1937. I have the Simlar. The Leica lens is a Planar type, 7 elements in 5 groups, 1-2-2-1-1, similar to the 5cm F1.5 Leitz Xenon. The Nikkor is a 7 element in 3 group Sonnar, 1-3-3.
I've never shot with the Summarex or the Nikkor. I am very, very happy with the results from the Canon. This lens is reputed to be prone to flare, low-contrast, and soft. The glass on mine is close to perfect, no internal haze. It is much sharper than I thought it would be, and seems to be higher contrast than the Canon 85/2 that I owned. Swirly Bokeh, but well corrected for spherical aberration.
Wide-Open on the M9, ISO2500.
Full res Jpeg uploaded for this shot. The battery was weak, some shots show banding. But not this one.
ISO 160, wide-open:
I chose this shot for the reflection in the picture. The lens handled it quite well.
The only downside of the lens: Wide-Open in direct sun and some high-contrast light, I noted Purple Fringing. I used LR on a few shots to get rid of it.
Closest Focus, wide-open.
New memorial at the Marine Museum.
Focus is PERFECT on my M9.
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