[Leica] Canon 50mm f1.8 lenses

[BBAIN@imnet.com (BBAIN)]

               OK, here goes.
               
               The original Canon lenses were called "Serenar."  The 50mm 
               was originally an f1.9 in a collapsible mount.  Later, there 
               was a chrome rigid f1.8, and later (late 1950s) a "black" 
               modernized version with a lighter aluminum and brass mount 
               with a fairly wide black knurled focusing ring.  The 
               redesign from chrome to black was across all of Canon's LTM 
               range, but I believe that the 50mm f1.8 was redesigned in 
               the late '50s around the time of the Canon VT (1958?).
               
               I used the Canon f1.8 for many years.  It's a fine lens, 
               certainly better than the Summars, and the late black ones 
               were doggone good, although I think the Summicrons were 
               slightly better, if 1/3 stop slower and heavier.  As with 
               all older lenses, the condition of the lens can affect its 
               image quality (haze, etc.).
               
               Filter size was 40mm, which makes it tough to find filters 
               and hoods today.
               
               Bill