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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