[yusuf]

Well summarized....

I agree about J9, as I mentioned in one of my earlier post, it's like a Russian roulette, I collected many and eventually sold all except one which is from 1959, truly a gem and one of my fav lens. A bit larger than M85 & produces wonder.

I love M85 because of size and often finds a place in in my bag compared to other 85. However PF is bad and for some shots, there is no options but to convert it to B&W.

Samyang 85 is seriously amazing, & value for money.

K85, somehow this is my least used lens, my best pics came with M85 or Samyang as somehow I tend to pickup one of them.

85/1,9, personally, I wasn't very impressed with 85/1.9 but it was one of my first few MF lenses and may be something to do with my limited experience at that time with MF lenses, couldn't get much impressive stiff out of it and sold it after buying FA77.

I'd recommend the 'safe' bet.
The Tak/K 85/1.8 or Tak85/1.9
Smaller than the f1.4 options and easier to take out with a mix of other lenses in the bag.
The K version is smaller.
Well built to the standards of the old days.

The J9 is the most 'risky' option as there are plenty of lemons out there.
If you get a good copy, its cheap and as good as any of the other options and special (but poorest flare resistance of the lenses listed)

M85/2 is the smallest.
Super portable.
Sharp when focus is right and a nice rendering that I like.
However, it can suffer quite a of PF and contrast loss in strong contrasty light.


Samyang 85/1.4, a safe buy, cheap and f1.4, what's there to not like?
Size is a downside of this lens.
I also find that it often lacks 'punch' in its shots.
Its certainly competent..... but not the lens for me.


Buy with a bit of logic and some 'heart' - get the Tak 85mm
Buy with cool calculated logic - the Samyang 85
M85 takes 3rd spot (could move to top on a whim for me) and J9 the last.

Certainly no wrong choice.
All are good

[Cloapex]

Some other photos from the the M85

[TaoMaas]

The M85 is a wonderful lens...hardly bigger than a fast 50mm. It's one of those lenses that, when you hit its sweet spot, can knock an image out of the ballpark! However...I think all lenses are similar in that they all have 'sweet spots'. For the prices the M85 is bringing these days, I would be tempted to go with the Samyang just to get the "A" setting.

[Cloapex]

I got the M for 175 usd localy otherwize i had the same thoughts. I will never regret it. Size makes me use it.

[Cloapex]

Tried out a hood for the M85. I dont look bank i anger