[HoBykoYan]

Hi All,

Need your ideas ASAP please.
Sold my DA70... reasons? Let is very sharp but i need longer FL for my portrait and wider for my streets...
Got myself a DAL 35 but find it too wide for my taste. Straight trade with DA40 XS and am loving this lens (focal, sharpness, AF and bokeh), perfect for me.
Now i need longer than 70 for my portrait work...

Here's my shortlist guys... plese tell me which is the most cost effective of the 3 choices (considering IQ, bokeh, rendering but DO NOT consider the legacy/status of the lens, thanks in advance
M100 2.8 - 150usd
Jupiter 9 85 2 - 175usd
Super Takumar 85 1.9 - 200usd
I am about to buy a lens

[kcmadr]

I have heard amazing things about the Jupiter 9.

[interested_observer]

Morning,

I can only help a bit. I have the Auto Tak 85/f1.8 and its excellent in all respects. The Super Tak is very similar and is an excellent lens. One aspect to consider, for portrait work just how sharp do you want to get? Sometimes sharp can be too sharp.

[jeffshaddix]

I've never used any of those three, but consider a fourth option - Rokinon 85/1.4. It's not much more than the lenses listed, with great performance wide open.

[HoBykoYan]

@kcmadr
love the bokeh from this lens but IQ is questionable
@interested_observer
quite sharp wide open (i usually use my lenses wide open)
jeffshaddix
that's my priority but run- out of cash thats why am moving to plan B

[lytrytyr]

Here's my shortlist guys... plese tell me which is the most cost effective of the 3 choices (considering IQ, bokeh, rendering but DO NOT consider the legacy/status of the lens, thanks in advance
M100 2.8 - 150usd
Jupiter 9 85 2 - 175usd
Super Takumar 85 1.9 - 200usd
I am about to buy a lens

I've been a very satisfied user of the M100/2.8 for almost thirty years,
first on film (LX) and now on digital (Kx, K5).
Excellent IQ, 40 lp/mm across the APS-C frame at f/5.6,
good bokeh and rendering.
Slight fringing with extreme contrast edges.
Not directly contrasty, but easy to boost in PP.

[msatlas]

I'd go for the Super Tak 85/1.9 or check out the Samyang (aka Bower, Rokinon, Pro-Optic, Phoenix, Vivitar, etc) 85/1.4. It has an A setting and it's supposed to be great optically.

[HoBykoYan]

not a good sign!!!
1 vote each....

[HoBykoYan]

ooops msatlas beat me to a post....
1:1:2 then

[Just1MoreDave]

Buy the Super-Takumar 85mm f1.9 because it's the best price and fast. I think it might be too close to a DA70 in focal length terms but definitely not rendering. I use mine when i don't want a 90mm macro sharpness, and I like its softer look without being peculiar.

You may be selling the 85 to get the M100/2.8. I think $150 is too much. The lens does have a lot going for it, one I regret selling. It's also small, not DA70 pancake but 49mm filters vs. 58mm on the ST85.

I don't know a lot about the Jupiter. Figuring out whether the lens was built yesterday or 1962, coated or not, working or a project, I just skipped it.

[Lowell Goudge]

OK, so what is the rush. you do not explain why you need to purchase this in 16 hours, or are you bidding on EBAY,

Seriously, if I were going to do portrait work, as more than an occasional candid shot, I would want something that I know I can do work with flash easily. assuming you are not going to spend an arm and a leg on it. and looking at the prices, I would go straight to any of the rebranded samyang 85/1.4 lenses. (vivitar, bower, pro-optic, rokonon, etc....) they all come with automatic aperture, which means that you can use all exposure modes and P-TTL flash.

I have both the vivitar 85/1.4 and the super takumar 85/1.9. while I like both lenses, i thing the tak is a little too difficult to use in a studio situation.

one other point, you don't say exactly how much longer you need over 70mm.

[interested_observer]

not a good sign!!!
1 vote each....

Ok, I'll vote twice.......

[NoMaD_PS]

Hi All,

I am about to buy a lens

M100 2.8 - 150usd - I've had Super Takumar 105 f/2.8 (seems to have the same formula). Very nice lens, sharp from f/4, soft at f/2.8. It's too long for me.
Jupiter 9 85 2 - 175usd. It's not easy to find a good copy, oil inside is a common thing, it's a preset lens and the focus ring moves in another direction. Besides it's a good lens.
Super Takumar 85 1.9 - 200usd - Best choice here unless 50usd matters. Very good lens.

[Lowell Goudge]

another thought, but depends on availability, is the tamron 90mm F2.5 macro. (model 52B or 52BB) I got one a few weeks ago with an M42 mount for $100 it has an excellent reputation and from the shots I have taken with it, it is a fine lens.

In the end it will depend on what type of shots you want,. If you are looking for tak sharp and plan to use the lens stopped down, almost anything will do, but if you want very shallow DOF, then the tak, or a samyang would be a good bet. the jupiter 9 has a reputation for interesting bokeh, but also for being a PITA to use and get consistent results.

[GibbyTheMole]

It's not on your list, but the Pentax-A 35-105 / f3.5 is an absolutely superb portrait lens. It's extremely sharp at all focal lengths with lovely bokeh & great color. You're unlikely to use anything faster than f3.5 for a portrait, anyway.

KEH has one for around $135, by the way.