Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The Canon Serinar 85mm F1.9 is an earlier model of the Canon 85mm F1.8. Yours probably came in a chrome mount, while then later ones were in black. Both are very good lenses. In fact, most of the Canon line of Leica screw mount lenses is exceptional and would be good users for financially embarrased Leica fans. The later ones were imported by Bell and Howell of motion picture camera fame. Actually the US recognition of the quality of Japanese optics occurred when US press photographers covering the Korean War bought Nikon RF cameras in Japan and found that the lenses were better than contemporary Leica or Contax optics. David Duncan popularized the Nikon among Life photographers. In actual fact, the Japanese have always been in the forefront of optical manufacture. Even before WW2 Japanese optical equipment could always stand comparison with the best of German and US gear. During WW2 the Japanese even delayed putting radar on their battleships because their optical rangefinders were so good. It was a stupid decision but it shows their faith in their optics. - LarryZ