If you’re a lens collector looking out for something extremely rare, then this might be for you.
What appears to be a very rare Canon prototype lens, a Canon 45-200mm f/2.8 lens with PL mount type, it previously sold on eBay UK for $40,000.
While doing a quick research and found almost nothing about this lens. In 1960 Popular Photography Magazine reported that Canon would announced a 45-200mm lens for their 35mmCanonflex system. Lenses for the Canonflex system had the R lens mount, so this 45-200mm f/2.8 lensmighthave a R mount. The Canon Camera Museum does not list a 45-200mm lens in theR mount section. And that’s all we found. It definitely appears to be a prototype lens from a very limited batch. If you have additional information please let us know in the comment section.
The 'rarest prototype lens on Earth,' a Canon 45-200mm F2.8 (C35) prototype lens. According to the listing, the lens was produced in Japan in 1959 and only "four or five" units were given to professionals for testing. Canon ultimately decided not to launch the lens commercially, possibly due to its heavy weight (approx. 3kg / 6.6lbs) and expensive price.
The claim that there are only two or 'maybe three' people in possession of these lenses globally.
'This lens was recently serviced, and fitted with A PL Mount & is said to be mechanically perfect.
The campaign references a 1959 Canon press release for the lens, but doesn't provide a copy of it. Canon'sLens Museum websitedoesn't include any listing for this prototype
