85mm lens

Mark Littlewood · 10-30-2011, 01:27 PM

ok - mods feel free to delete this in a flash if you think it's too shifty... but It's a valid recommendation I think... This is a lens I have loved a great deal, one of the true great portrait lenses.... will cost as much as an AF suggestion but worthwhile.

disclaimer: I might have a vested interest at the moment in boosting the rep of this lens... *cough*... but truly it doesn't need it.

RioRico · 10-30-2011, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by Mark Littlewood

ok - mods feel free to delete this in a flash if you think it's too shifty... but It's a valid recommendation I think... This is a lens I have loved a great deal, one of the true great portrait lenses.... will cost as much as an AF suggestion but worthwhile.

I haven't tried it (nor am I likely to obtain one) but by reputation it's a superlative lens. There's no need for apprehension nor apology. Go ahead, talk it up -- it's already far beyond my budget, so I don't care.

I still like a 75/3.5 enlarger lens on tubes for portraits. Nice, sharp, cheap. Did I mention cheap? And it's nice. And it's cheap. That matters to me. Hope you sell your lens!

SylBer · 10-30-2011, 06:50 PM

I just bought this lens use din excellent condition for 200 $ and it's an excellent performer. Sharp enough wide open and very sharp from 2.8 on.

SteveM · 10-30-2011, 07:51 PM

I love the K85/1.8 (the SMC Tak 85/1.8 is the same design) and use it the most of all my lenses, much more than my 77. I find it sharp wide open and I love the Bokeh it produces.

yusuf · 10-31-2011, 01:21 AM - **1 Like**

My experience with 85mm,

1) Samyang/Rockinon 85mm/1.4 - Good for the price but not good in absolute terms. Not as sharp as claimed by a few, may be just because they have not used any other sharper lens. I had couple of discussions in past and based on that I tried second copy which also turned out to be the identical to first copy. Having said that, overall it's a fantastic lens for price if you are ok to sacrifice sharpness and a bit of muted colors.

2) M85/2 - Real gem, a very nice and small lens and better than Samyang etc. However, on downside, it's just f2, no 'A' settings and prone to CA (Samyang is excellent here).

3) Jupiter 9 - it's like Russian roulette, if you get a right copy, it's just awesome, special rendering & beautiful colors, it's just different. Again, it's limited by f2. I have sold my all other 85mm after acquiring FA77 but not this, I am keeping this beauty.

4) FA77 - I know you've asked for 85mm, but this one is close and I really think that it's worth than spending money on any of these MF 85mm lenses.

RioRico · 10-31-2011, 02:14 AM

Originally posted by yusuf

3) Jupiter 9 - it's like Russian roulette, if you get a right copy, it's just awesome, special rendering & beautiful colors, it's just different. Again, it's limited by f2. I have sold my all other 85mm after acquiring FA77 but not this, I am keeping this beauty.

Agreed, the J9 is special. The color rendering to me seems almost pastel. My only comparison is with a Nikkor 85/2, my first lens chop (modded to fit PK). Quite sharp, saturated colors, strong contrast, it's a favorite, part of my regular big-bag kit. Also fun (for me, if nobody else) are 75mm enlarger lenses on extension for portraits, with their edge-to-edge flatfield sharpness. But no, I'll never part with my J9!

**klh** · 10-31-2011, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by smc

I love the K85/1.8 (the SMC Tak 85/1.8 is the same design) and use it the most of all my lenses, much more than my 77. I find it sharp wide open and I love the Bokeh it produces.

I have the Tak 85/1.8 and absolutely love it for portraits. Sharp subjects, creamy background. I really like the long focus throw. Well worth it if you can find one.

Mark Littlewood · 11-03-2011, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by yusuf

2) M85/2 - Real gem, a very nice and small lens and better than Samyang etc. However, on downside, it's just f2, no 'A' settings and prone to CA (Samyang is excellent here).

I agree, the M85 is a fantastic (underappreciated?) lens too - it's very small and light - well worth having - mine will be my main long portrait lens when the pancolar goes...

I'll look out for a K/SMC 85 though, that could be interesting..

Asahiflex · 11-04-2011, 12:11 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mark Littlewood

I agree, the M85 is a fantastic (underappreciated?) lens too - it's very small and light - well worth having - mine will be my main long portrait lens when the pancolar goes...

I'll look out for a K/SMC 85 though, that could be interesting..

Interesting... I sold my M85/2 because I could not stand the blue fringing in certain conditions. But it's a great lens indeed; but I like my 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar more. And my 83mm f/1.9 Takumar. And my FA* 85mm f/1.4. And my Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical. Those are the lenses that I kept from my collection of portrait lenses.

stevebrot · 11-05-2011, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by Mark Littlewood

ok - mods feel free to delete this in a flash if you think it's too shifty... but It's a valid recommendation I think... This is a lens I have loved a great deal, one of the true great portrait lenses.... will cost as much as an AF suggestion but worthwhile.

disclaimer: I might have a vested interest at the moment in boosting the rep of this lens... *cough*... but truly it doesn't need it.

Indeed, the CZ is a great lens, but fairly rare on the market and $$$$ when you find one!!! I gave up long ago and bought a Jupiter-9 instead!

Steve

stevebrot · 11-05-2011, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

But no, I'll never part with my J9!

...me neither...cumbersome to use and heavy to boot, but the results are well worth the effort.

Steve

P.S. ...unless, of course, a Pancolar 80/1.8 fell into my lap...and maybe not even then!

Mark Littlewood · 11-06-2011, 02:44 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Interesting... I sold my M85/2 because I could not stand the blue fringing in certain conditions. But it's a great lens indeed; but I like my 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar more. And my 83mm f/1.9 Takumar. And my FA* 85mm f/1.4. And my Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical. Those are the lenses that I kept from my collection of portrait lenses.

yes - i definitely like the pancolar more! I'm only selling it because I need the cash, not becasue I don't want it! That's a mighty collection of portrait lenses you have to choose from though! How would the FA77 get on in such company?

Asahiflex · 11-06-2011, 04:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mark Littlewood

yes - i definitely like the pancolar more! I'm only selling it because I need the cash, not becasue I don't want it! That's a mighty collection of portrait lenses you have to choose from though! How would the FA77 get on in such company?

Actually I also had the FA77 (an early one) and while very, very good (an understatement) it did not really stand out in any way compared to the lenses I kept. I could keep it because of its small size, but in the end I did not use it more than the other lenses. So I sold it. The same goes for the FA31: a very, very good lens but my preference was the K28/2 (the Zeiss designed one). It's just a matter of taste really. I once also made the comparison between the 85mm f/1.8 S-M-C Takumar and the 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar, and my gut feeling was that the Pancolar had more "soul" in the pictures. The Takumar was just too awfully perfect, almost lifeless

.

Pentaxor · 11-08-2011, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Actually I also had the FA77 (an early one) and while very, very good (an understatement) it did not really stand out in any way compared to the lenses I kept. I could keep it because of its small size, but in the end I did not use it more than the other lenses. So I sold it. The same goes for the FA31: a very, very good lens but my preference was the K28/2 (the Zeiss designed one). It's just a matter of taste really. I once also made the comparison between the 85mm f/1.8 S-M-C Takumar and the 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar, and my gut feeling was that the Pancolar had more "soul" in the pictures. The Takumar was just too awfully perfect, almost lifeless

.

you can give your Takumar away to me. I'll give it some life.

Pentaxor · 11-08-2011, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Interesting... I sold my M85/2 because I could not stand the blue fringing in certain conditions. But it's a great lens indeed; but I like my 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar more. And my 83mm f/1.9 Takumar. And my FA* 85mm f/1.4. And my Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical. Those are the lenses that I kept from my collection of portrait lenses.

I sold my M85/2 recently. not because that I didn't love it but was reaching the point where it is competing against my other lenses near at that focal lenses for usage, plus I needed to cover some of my finances and my real need for a fast f1.4 autofocus 85mm. it's truly sad to be honest and it wasn't an easy decision to make. Yes, the blooming is wretched. it is basically the only flaw that didn't make it an 10. I rate it around 8.8 to 9. I loved it awesome sharpness and really awesome color rendition ( if the blue blooming is avoided and corrected). the Bokeh is also excellent and not bad for a lens with an f2 aperture, wished it was f1.4. B&W photos, it's a monster.

10-30-2011, 01:27 PM	#31
Mark Littlewood Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northants, UK Posts: 55	Carl zeiss jena pancolar 80mm f1.8 ok - mods feel free to delete this in a flash if you think it's too shifty... but It's a valid recommendation I think... This is a lens I have loved a great deal, one of the true great portrait lenses.... will cost as much as an AF suggestion but worthwhile. disclaimer: I might have a vested interest at the moment in boosting the rep of this lens... cough... but truly it doesn't need it.

10-30-2011, 06:50 PM	#33
SylBer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Quebec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	K 85mm 1.8 I just bought this lens use din excellent condition for 200 $ and it's an excellent performer. Sharp enough wide open and very sharp from 2.8 on.

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10-30-2011, 04:12 PM	#32
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Mark Littlewood ok - mods feel free to delete this in a flash if you think it's too shifty... but It's a valid recommendation I think... This is a lens I have loved a great deal, one of the true great portrait lenses.... will cost as much as an AF suggestion but worthwhile. I haven't tried it (nor am I likely to obtain one) but by reputation it's a superlative lens. There's no need for apprehension nor apology. Go ahead, talk it up -- it's already far beyond my budget, so I don't care. I still like a 75/3.5 enlarger lens on tubes for portraits. Nice, sharp, cheap. Did I mention cheap? And it's nice. And it's cheap. That matters to me. Hope you sell your lens!

10-30-2011, 07:51 PM	#34
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	I love the K85/1.8 (the SMC Tak 85/1.8 is the same design) and use it the most of all my lenses, much more than my 77. I find it sharp wide open and I love the Bokeh it produces.

10-31-2011, 01:21 AM - 1 Like	#35
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	My experience with 85mm, 1) Samyang/Rockinon 85mm/1.4 - Good for the price but not good in absolute terms. Not as sharp as claimed by a few, may be just because they have not used any other sharper lens. I had couple of discussions in past and based on that I tried second copy which also turned out to be the identical to first copy. Having said that, overall it's a fantastic lens for price if you are ok to sacrifice sharpness and a bit of muted colors. 2) M85/2 - Real gem, a very nice and small lens and better than Samyang etc. However, on downside, it's just f2, no 'A' settings and prone to CA (Samyang is excellent here). 3) Jupiter 9 - it's like Russian roulette, if you get a right copy, it's just awesome, special rendering & beautiful colors, it's just different. Again, it's limited by f2. I have sold my all other 85mm after acquiring FA77 but not this, I am keeping this beauty. 4) FA77 - I know you've asked for 85mm, but this one is close and I really think that it's worth than spending money on any of these MF 85mm lenses.

10-31-2011, 02:14 AM	#36
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by yusuf 3) Jupiter 9 - it's like Russian roulette, if you get a right copy, it's just awesome, special rendering & beautiful colors, it's just different. Again, it's limited by f2. I have sold my all other 85mm after acquiring FA77 but not this, I am keeping this beauty. Agreed, the J9 is special. The color rendering to me seems almost pastel. My only comparison is with a Nikkor 85/2, my first lens chop (modded to fit PK). Quite sharp, saturated colors, strong contrast, it's a favorite, part of my regular big-bag kit. Also fun (for me, if nobody else) are 75mm enlarger lenses on extension for portraits, with their edge-to-edge flatfield sharpness. But no, I'll never part with my J9!

10-31-2011, 04:39 AM	#37
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Originally posted by smc I love the K85/1.8 (the SMC Tak 85/1.8 is the same design) and use it the most of all my lenses, much more than my 77. I find it sharp wide open and I love the Bokeh it produces. I have the Tak 85/1.8 and absolutely love it for portraits. Sharp subjects, creamy background. I really like the long focus throw. Well worth it if you can find one.

11-03-2011, 08:52 AM	#38
Mark Littlewood Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northants, UK Posts: 55	Originally posted by yusuf 2) M85/2 - Real gem, a very nice and small lens and better than Samyang etc. However, on downside, it's just f2, no 'A' settings and prone to CA (Samyang is excellent here). I agree, the M85 is a fantastic (underappreciated?) lens too - it's very small and light - well worth having - mine will be my main long portrait lens when the pancolar goes... I'll look out for a K/SMC 85 though, that could be interesting..

11-04-2011, 12:11 AM - 1 Like	#39
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by Mark Littlewood I agree, the M85 is a fantastic (underappreciated?) lens too - it's very small and light - well worth having - mine will be my main long portrait lens when the pancolar goes... I'll look out for a K/SMC 85 though, that could be interesting.. Interesting... I sold my M85/2 because I could not stand the blue fringing in certain conditions. But it's a great lens indeed; but I like my 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar more. And my 83mm f/1.9 Takumar. And my FA* 85mm f/1.4. And my Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical. Those are the lenses that I kept from my collection of portrait lenses.

11-05-2011, 10:05 AM	#40
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Mark Littlewood ok - mods feel free to delete this in a flash if you think it's too shifty... but It's a valid recommendation I think... This is a lens I have loved a great deal, one of the true great portrait lenses.... will cost as much as an AF suggestion but worthwhile. disclaimer: I might have a vested interest at the moment in boosting the rep of this lens... cough... but truly it doesn't need it. Indeed, the CZ is a great lens, but fairly rare on the market and $$$$ when you find one!!! I gave up long ago and bought a Jupiter-9 instead! Steve

11-05-2011, 10:07 AM	#41
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by RioRico But no, I'll never part with my J9! ...me neither...cumbersome to use and heavy to boot, but the results are well worth the effort. Steve P.S. ...unless, of course, a Pancolar 80/1.8 fell into my lap...and maybe not even then!

11-06-2011, 02:44 AM	#42
Mark Littlewood Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northants, UK Posts: 55	Originally posted by Asahiflex Interesting... I sold my M85/2 because I could not stand the blue fringing in certain conditions. But it's a great lens indeed; but I like my 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar more. And my 83mm f/1.9 Takumar. And my FA* 85mm f/1.4. And my Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical. Those are the lenses that I kept from my collection of portrait lenses. yes - i definitely like the pancolar more! I'm only selling it because I need the cash, not becasue I don't want it! That's a mighty collection of portrait lenses you have to choose from though! How would the FA77 get on in such company?

11-06-2011, 04:35 AM - 1 Like	#43
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by Mark Littlewood yes - i definitely like the pancolar more! I'm only selling it because I need the cash, not becasue I don't want it! That's a mighty collection of portrait lenses you have to choose from though! How would the FA77 get on in such company? Actually I also had the FA77 (an early one) and while very, very good (an understatement) it did not really stand out in any way compared to the lenses I kept. I could keep it because of its small size, but in the end I did not use it more than the other lenses. So I sold it. The same goes for the FA31: a very, very good lens but my preference was the K28/2 (the Zeiss designed one). It's just a matter of taste really. I once also made the comparison between the 85mm f/1.8 S-M-C Takumar and the 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar, and my gut feeling was that the Pancolar had more "soul" in the pictures. The Takumar was just too awfully perfect, almost lifeless .

11-08-2011, 03:40 PM	#44
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Asahiflex Actually I also had the FA77 (an early one) and while very, very good (an understatement) it did not really stand out in any way compared to the lenses I kept. I could keep it because of its small size, but in the end I did not use it more than the other lenses. So I sold it. The same goes for the FA31: a very, very good lens but my preference was the K28/2 (the Zeiss designed one). It's just a matter of taste really. I once also made the comparison between the 85mm f/1.8 S-M-C Takumar and the 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar, and my gut feeling was that the Pancolar had more "soul" in the pictures. The Takumar was just too awfully perfect, almost lifeless . you can give your Takumar away to me. I'll give it some life.

11-08-2011, 03:50 PM	#45
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Asahiflex Interesting... I sold my M85/2 because I could not stand the blue fringing in certain conditions. But it's a great lens indeed; but I like my 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar more. And my 83mm f/1.9 Takumar. And my FA* 85mm f/1.4. And my Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical. Those are the lenses that I kept from my collection of portrait lenses. I sold my M85/2 recently. not because that I didn't love it but was reaching the point where it is competing against my other lenses near at that focal lenses for usage, plus I needed to cover some of my finances and my real need for a fast f1.4 autofocus 85mm. it's truly sad to be honest and it wasn't an easy decision to make. Yes, the blooming is wretched. it is basically the only flaw that didn't make it an 10. I rate it around 8.8 to 9. I loved it awesome sharpness and really awesome color rendition ( if the blue blooming is avoided and corrected). the Bokeh is also excellent and not bad for a lens with an f2 aperture, wished it was f1.4. B&W photos, it's a monster.