Photographica Pages

An online guide to collectable cameras and related stuff

Canon 85/1.9 R

The 85/1.9 Canon R was introduced in January, 1960 as an early attempt to get an 85mm lens to market. It was constructed of six elements in four groups, stopped down to f/22 and used 48mm filters. It was not a Super Canomatic lens, as it had a manual diaphragm. It appears to be constructed from parts of the rangefinder version of this lens, which a different mount on the end of the barrel.

I have only found information on this lens on the Canon Museum website. In all my years of camera collecting I don't recall ever seeing one before, and a cursory search on the rest of the internet didn't turn any examples up. So I am guessing it was made in very small numbers. If you have one I would love to see photos.