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Canon 85mm f/2

The Canon Serenar 85mm f/2 is a short telephoto rangefinder lens in L39 (Leica thread) mount, dating from Canon's pre-FD rangefinder era when lenses were branded under the Serenar name. At 85mm f/2 it was aimed at portraiture and available-light short-telephoto work on screw-mount Canon and Leica rangefinder bodies.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Serenar 85mm f/2 have clustered at the lower end: three October 2023 sales fetched £70, £80 and £140, giving a median around £80 and a price range that reflects cosmetic and optical condition rather than variant. An older 2010 saleroom result of £360 stands out as an outlier against today's market, and in 2026 the lens remains a relatively affordable way into Canon rangefinder glass, with clean, haze-free copies worth more than the typical £70–£80 level.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
Serenar — — 11 £70 – £420
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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: January 2026

Date Price Source Variant
Jan 2026 £88 Flints Auctions Serenar
Oct 2023 £70 Special Auction Services Serenar
Oct 2023 £80 Special Auction Services Serenar
Oct 2023 £140 Special Auction Services Serenar
Jun 2019 EUR 300 Leitz Auction Serenar
Apr 2019 £156 Flints Auctions Serenar
Dec 2010 EUR 360 Leitz Auction Serenar
May 2010 EUR 320 Leitz Auction Serenar
May 2010 EUR 260 Leitz Auction Serenar
Dec 2009 EUR 420 Leitz Auction Serenar
Nov 2008 EUR 150 Leitz Auction Serenar

Frequently asked questions

What is a Canon Serenar 85mm f/2 worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results sit between £70 and £140 for usable copies, with a median around £80; a 2010 sale reached £360 but that is well above current levels.

How much does a Canon Serenar 85mm f/2 sell for at auction?

Three 2023 UK hammer prices were £70, £80 and £140, so most copies sell for under £150 before buyer's premium, with condition and glass clarity driving the spread.

What affects the value of a Serenar 85mm f/2?

Price is driven by optical condition — haze, fungus and coating wear pull values toward the £70 floor, while clean, smooth-focusing examples with clear glass achieve the upper end of the observed range.

Does it fit Leica rangefinder bodies?

Yes — it is an L39 (Leica thread) mount lens and fits Leica screw-mount bodies as well as period Canon rangefinders, and can be used on Leica M bodies with an L39-to-M adapter.

Other Canon lenses