[robtcorl]

Size made my also buy the M 135/3.5 and the F 35-70 3,5-4,5

Those are two more of my favorites!

Thank you for your compliments!

[stevebrot]

I am seriously considering getting this lens eventually. May I ask what your thoughts are on this lens? I have 55mm Helios and love the swirly bokeh.

Completely different beast, though swirly bokeh may well be in the mix. The Helios name and Russian/FSU origin are the only things they have in common. The 40-2, according to legend, was originally intended for photographing oscilloscope screens. It does not have Zeiss DNA. It does have a rabid cult following. It is heavy enough to use for self-defense. The current price is more than 5x what one sold for five years ago.


Steve

[Lowell Goudge]

Have you tried the Tak 85 with hood on? It's a total new world when shot wide open.

I use it with the hood from the tak 200/4. Both are 58mm and the extra length is good for reducing stray light and contrast improvement, but the problems still exists, shooting a night street scene with lights in the frame (where no hood helps ) result in internal reflections. Don't get me wrong, I like the lens, but the coatings of the super tak, good as they were at the time, are not equal to current second tier lens manufacturers

[ducdao]

I use it with the hood from the tak 200/4. Both are 58mm and the extra length is good for reducing stray light and contrast improvement, but the problems still exists, shooting a night street scene with lights in the frame (where no hood helps ) result in internal reflections. Don't get me wrong, I like the lens, but the coatings of the super tak, good as they were at the time, are not equal to current second tier lens manufacturers

I mainly use the Tak 85 for indoor portrait and the hood helped a lot. I have the original hood, not sure if that matters.

The 85/1.8 ihas SMC coating so it's supposed to be a bit better than the 85/1.9. In reality I've never noticed any difference.

[infactimacat]

I am seriously considering getting this lens eventually. May I ask what your thoughts are on this lens? I have 55mm Helios and love the swirly bokeh.

I love its swirly bokeh too, but I have to say that there's not much for you to be creative with it. I mean, the only thing owners of this lens do that I can see is to put the model at the center of the frame, find a maculose background and shoot.

And some ppl say that the swirly bokeh effects the most at the borders, so if you use a crop camere, maybe you'll lose some interesting things.

Still, again, I love it. See these photos and you'll know why...

http://truonggiang.35photo.ru/photo_474646/

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/9754635146_74e0da45f3_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/9760156282_aa059bddf3_b.jpg

TUAN2307 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

TUAN2315 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[LeRolls]

I love its swirly bokeh too, but I have to say that there's not much for you to be creative with it. I mean, the only thing owners of this lens do that I can see is to put the model at the center of the frame, find a maculose background and shoot.

And some ppl say that the swirly bokeh effects the most at the borders, so if you use a crop camere, maybe you'll lose some interesting things.

Still, again, I love it. See these photos and you'll know why...

http://truonggiang.35photo.ru/photo_474646/

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/9754635146_74e0da45f3_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/9760156282_aa059bddf3_b.jpg

TUAN2307 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

TUAN2315 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I think this lens will eventually find it's way into my collection. I really like the shots from the first link! Thanks for that!

[rbefly]

For me, size does matter ! and I got a local swedish offer for the M at 185 Dollars. seems good enough?
Size is a good thing. Size made my also buy the M 135/3.5 and the F 35-70 3,5-4,5

Hi Cloapex,
Yes, that's a good price for the M85 f/2.0. Depending upon the condition, they're usually $200-$300 on eBay, when they come up, which isn't often. Right now there's two on the 'bay, both from Germany, both over $300. So, if it's clean and functioning properly, grab it!
Oh, you'll be pleased to know it uses 49mm filters, same as the two lenses you now have. In M series, the 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.8, all the 50mm's, 85mm, 100mm f/2.8, 135mm f/3.5, all take 49mm filters. Very handy!
Ron

[Cloapex]

The seller, a swedish buy/sell shop have one version in mint for 340 $ and another more well used for 180 $.
As far from cosmetics, both are fine optical and mechanical.

I figured, the well used seems fine. Otherwise it wouldnt be well used. And I have no plans of getting a lens for to be pretty in the shelf

[Cloapex]

I day later it (M85) has arrived and it´s not noteable bigger than my SMC Takumar 50.
Very happpy that I choose this little fellow.

[stevebrot]

I day later it (M85) has arrived and it´s not noteable bigger than my SMC Takumar 50.
Very happpy that I choose this little fellow.

Cool! We a looking forward to seeing posted photos from it!


Steve

[Jonathan Mac]

I day later it (M85) has arrived and it´s not noteable bigger than my SMC Takumar 50.
Very happpy that I choose this little fellow.

Good choice, I'm sure you'll be happy. See you over in the "M" thread...

[Cloapex]

Tested it out. Seems like a good choice.
Gonna hook in on the cam to the weekend.

[stevebrot]

Nice!

[fuent104]

Tested it out. Seems like a good choice. Gonna hook in on the cam to the weekend.

I really like that capture, but I think the image could sing with some additional post work. Increasing brightness would increase the level of detail we can see, and contrast would make help separate the kitty from everything else.

[Cloapex]

You probably have a point. I have a tendensy to be a little to much on the dark side.
I tried to lighten up at first but imo the picture was a bit to corny (or what you say in english) due to iso 1100
I will try and se if it helps. =