Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/08/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]This is rather rushed and I apologize, but I'm in a dither at the nonce. Serenar was the brand-name on early Canon lenses. From the middle 1950's, they were simply identified as Canon. The 1.4/50 is an independent derivation from the 1.5/50 Sonnar design -- probably the finest fast normal lens ever produced -- refigured to reduce production costs. Both Nikon and Canon began with German models and worked on them to eliminate the need for hand production and assembly which so marked the Prewar Zeiss and Leica shops. The 127mm Wollensak lens was a LF lens mounted by Leitz NY in excess Hektor lensmounts available to them during and immediately after the War: they had a slew of mounts but no glass, and Wollensak had the glass, so a deal was cut. These are fine lenses, now rather rare, and with an unfortunate collector's cachet which drives the prices up a bit. I have never seen, but have heard of, Wollensak lenses in Leica TM without the Leica name. Hope this helps -- enjoy that Canon! Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!