An amazing lens this one and very rare, even more rarely found in such excellent condition. This one is ready to go to work!
It is of course well known, that Canon, began as an effort to create a Japanese camera equal to the Leica and that the early Canon designs borrowed very heavily from their German inspiration. Although they began by using Nikkor lenses, Canon eventually started producing their own, and if this example is anything to go by, the heritage is more Leica than Nikon. This staggering little lens is sharp even wide open, a characteristic Leicas are famous for, and a real boon, if you are like me, using your lenses on a digital body in stopped down mode.
This lens is a real peach to use, I have had bigger, and much more complicated lenses, but when it comes to just simply creating the image, this stunning lens does what only the very best do, it becomes your photographer's eye, the camera itself disappears and it gets you right into your subject, rather than creating a barrier to it.
Today the Canon 85mm f1.9 is sought after both for its rarity and its astonishing bokeh. It is of course at home not just with LTM rangefinders, but with the appropriate adapter, is just as compatible with the M series, right up to the M9 and M240. Adapters are also easily available for Micro four thirds, Sony NEX, even the incredible new full frame Sony A7 range, offering a perfect symbiosis of old and new!
The digital renaissance of LTM lenses means that demand has never been higher and is rising rapidly, so now really is the time to bite the bullet and acquire one of these incredible lenses while you still can. This is the sort of lens you wish they made today, (I know Leica Do, but only for ten times the price) from a time when Canon was establishing itself and creating a world class product was more important than an extra 0.1% on the bottom line.
This particular example is in excellent condition, having very obviously been carefully looked after. The optics are as clear as a bell, with no hint of any marks at all and just a few tiny motes of internal dust. The barrel retains its high polished nickel finish and all markings are present and enjoy excellent contrast. The lens head unscrews and refits perfectly and without fuss.
Mechanically, the focus movement is nicely damped, the aperture stopping down from f1.9 to f16 without any fuss at all, opening and closing an iris formed by no less than twenty blinds, forming the near circular aperture which gives the best rangefinder lenses their legendary Bokeh. There is no trace of any rust or fungus, just a tiny bit of rub wear on the blinds.
As if this was not enough of a find, the lens is supplied together with its original Canon custom leather case, which is also in very good condition, with no sign of sun, water or odour damage.
The lens will be supplied as pictured, with case and caps ready for you to get to work!
