[hoopsontoast]

I currently have a Voigtlander 90mm f3.5 APO-LANTHAR which I use on both my MZ-5N and K-01 for Portrait/General Telephoto.

I would like something a bit faster and also it seems to have a 'cool' colour balance, compared to my FA20-35 which seems to be a bit more saturated, I guess down to the SMC.

I don't suppose anyone has possibly compared the 90mm APO to either the Pentax-M 85mm f2.0 or Samyang 85mm f1.4?

I dont have the budget for an FA77 f1.8, FA*85 f1.4 or A*85 f1.4. The K85 f1.8 seems to be rare as well.

Head says go for the Samyang being an 'A' lens so easy to use on digital, and faster too but Heart says go for the M85 from the reviews on here, MUCH lighter and smaller (half the weight of the Samyang), also it should hold its value well.

I like the look of the M85 for its very compact size/weight, its even lighter/smaller than the 90mm APO.
With the 90mm APO, on the MZ-5N I get the Aperture Auto mode, but when in Av mode (manual on the Lens) I guess the M85 will work the same with no Aperture confirmation on the VF display but full meetering?

Cheers, Rob

[dms]

Not the comparison you asked about but under "85mm summary" in :stans-photography.info/
there is discussion comparing most of the pentax 85mm lenses.

[hoopsontoast]

Not the comparison you asked about but under "85mm summary" in :stans-photography.info/
there is discussion comparing most of the pentax 85mm lenses.

Thanks, I had not seen that, ruled out most of the 85mm options due to cost (all the Pentax 77mm/85mm f1.4 lenses seem to be £700+).
Hence the interest in the M85mm f2, and the Samyang 85mm f1.4.

[NZ_Ross]

I have a Pentax M85/2, a Leica R 90/2.8 (Leitax conversion), and a DA 70/2.4 Limited. Whilst around the same FL they all render differently, and have different colour signatures. I do not have a Voigtlander 90, but I do have a Voigtlander 58/2. You are welcome to have a look at my Zenfolio site, where I have images in folders by lens to see the differences. All digital K-5 and K-3, not film.

The M85/2 is a very nice lens to use, easy to focus, and gives very nice results too.

I personally prefer the Leica R 90/2.8 for portraits, but that is just because of the way it renders especially for B+W - there are some examples of that on my zenfolio site too.

Best wishes with your considerations about lenses - there are a lot of choices

Ross

[Transit]

I had the M85 and sold it to the Bloke above . Very nice little lens, seemed to have quite a lot of colour fringing wide open though it goes away stopped down.
In the end I wanted AF and function in Av and got the 77.
Picure quality is similar if you want to put in a bit more effort.

[hoopsontoast]

I have a Pentax M85/2, a Leica R 90/2.8 (Leitax conversion), and a DA 70/2.4 Limited. Whilst around the same FL they all render differently, and have different colour signatures. I do not have a Voigtlander 90, but I do have a Voigtlander 58/2. You are welcome to have a look at my Zenfolio site, where I have images in folders by lens to see the differences. All digital K-5 and K-3, not film.

The M85/2 is a very nice lens to use, easy to focus, and gives very nice results too.

I personally prefer the Leica R 90/2.8 for portraits, but that is just because of the way it renders especially for B+W - there are some examples of that on my zenfolio site too.

Best wishes with your considerations about lenses - there are a lot of choices

Ross

Thanks, interesting, the Nokton 58mm was on my long term wish list, could be an option.

[NZ_Ross]

Thanks, interesting, the Nokton 58mm was on my long term wish list, could be an option.

It is a lens I am very happy with, and it is a pleasure to use, as it meters on the K DSLR's and passes data across. When aperture is set to 'A' all you really need to do it focus it, the rest can be completed on the camera body. It is a very useful portrait lens on a crop sensor, but I have also found it really good for landscapes and nature photography.

I really like the way it renders, and the bokeh it gives.

---------- Post added 08-08-14 at 08:46 PM ----------

I had the M85 and sold it to the Bloke above

I still can't believe you sold it to me Transit - a very nice lens, thanks

[bassek]

The big difference is the rendering, the M85 renders warm colors, while (no, I haven't used the Samyang) the lens review suggests the Samyang clones render colder colors.

Seb

[interested_observer]

I have two additional suggestions for you.

• Auto Tak 85mm f1.8 - its an M42 screw mount. The build is all metal and glass Extremely sharp, wonderful rendering and colors.
• Contax Zeiss 85mm f2.8 Sonnar T* (MM version of the C/Y mount) - Excellent build, a bit smaller than the Auto Tak. It is a Leitax.com conversion from the C/Y mount. Zeiss colors and sharpness. Wonderful rendering.

[jeffshaddix]

If you can handle the weight and the not-as-nice-as-takumar focus ring, the Samyang is the best option IMO. I actually sold mine after getting an FA77, but the Samyang is quite unique in it's sharpness at f/1.4 and it's amazing bokeh circles with no edge highlights. I may pick up another eventually to have on hand for special studio occasions. But do consider the weight/size - it's significant.

[hoopsontoast]

Thanks chaps, looking at the Samyang, its about the same size and a bit heavier than my DA14, so thats not too much of an issue although I cant ignore how compact the M85 f2 is. I think I will give one a go!

[Jonathan Mac]

The M is great and renders very nicely, the colour is warm. Wide open it suffers from a lot of blue fringing but it's a lot better at f/2.8 and is fairly sharp from that aperture too.

The closest lenses I have for comparison are the M 100/2.8 and the DA 70 f/2.4. I understand the DA is film compatible but you might be limited to P mode on the 5N. The DA is very nice - sharper than either M and has the typical digital/clinical DA look. The 100mm is much easier to find and is quite good but I almost always skip it for the 85mm because of the rendering.

[hoopsontoast]

Well I was offered a K85 f1.8 and decided to give it a go, arrived today:




[url=https://flic.kr/p/oq1jUF][/url
]




I did an unscientific test side by side to the Voigtlander, and @f3.5 they looked both just as sharp, with the colours slightly more intense on the K85.

[bassek]

Congrats, looks nice that copy of yours.

Seb

[ChristianRock]

I love the K lenses. Congrats!