SMC-M 85/2 vs Jupiter 9

axl · 05-21-2009, 01:11 AM

Hi everybody,

just a quick question, which of those two is better/ better bang for buck?
they are both MF and both would have exposure problems on my K10 but which is better to get?
Please consider that Pentax is nearly 2s more than Jupiter with M42>K adapter

BR
Peter

solisti · 05-21-2009, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by axl

Hi everybody,

just a quick question, which of those two is better/ better bang for buck?
they are both MF and both would have exposure problems on my K10 but which is better to get?
Please consider that Pentax is nearly 2s more than Jupiter with M42>K adapter

BR
Peter

They are quite different lenses. It depends on what do you need. M85 is sharper wide open, has more "traditional" bokeh, better colors and the lens coating are a lot better. Then again jupiter has some qualities and a look in the images it produces that M85 can't match.
I got my jupiter really cheap, and in that case the bang for the buck factor is quite unbeatable.

axl · 05-21-2009, 03:20 AM

Thanks,

I would need the lens to plate my gap as portrait lens between 50 - 105.
I'm thinking of DA70 or FA77 but for now I wouldn't mind to get some interim measure

BR

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-21-2009, 05:07 AM

have you considered the samyang (vivitar et. al) 85mm F1.4

aside from being faster it also is available in KA mount, which means full auto exposure and flash functions.

not sure where it fits in the price range between the two lenses youu mention.

I had been waiting to find an SMC 85mm F1.8 (K mount) and gave up.

axl · 05-21-2009, 05:42 AM

thanks Lowell, I'll consider that one

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-21-2009, 05:47 AM

axl

beware, there are purists out there who don't like this lens. I got into a little "spat" with a forum member who said the lens was unremarkable, soft etc.

There are reviews in the lens data base, biggest "complaint" is that the main barrel is plastic, as is the filter attachment thread, but considering what this lens will be largely used for, I don't see that a problem. In fact one member suggested just purchasing a cheap filter, to remove the element and leave the threads on the lens all the time (to get metal threads) stacking filters should not be a problem as this is a full frame lens

check the following 100% crop shot at F2.5. this is jpeg right out of the camera no PP at all

deadwolfbones · 05-21-2009, 08:59 AM

If you decide to go the J9 route, let me know. I've been considering selling my copy.

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-21-2009, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

If you decide to go the J9 route, let me know. I've been considering selling my copy.

althoough I am pleased with my vivitar, it might be interesting to hear why you are selling the J9

jsherman999 · 05-21-2009, 01:11 PM

Both are good choices. If you plan to get the 77ltd, you may want to go cheap for now and get the J-9.

Having said that, the M 85 f/2 is one of my all-time favorites.

My favorite Lens (link)

J9! link
J9! link2

jeffkpotter · 05-21-2009, 02:34 PM

2 very nice lenses. I prefer the J9 because I really like the softness/rendering I get at F2. It sharpens up nicely at f4 above. It is a preset lens though, and many people dislike that intensely. (I love it.) With the SMC-M 85/2 that obviously wouldn't be an issue.

axl · 05-21-2009, 03:18 PM

Thank you,
for now I don't really know. I do like the idea of SMC lens as my portrait lens, but there is something about J9 that is pulling my leg... the only thing against it is that once I'll get M42>K adapter the LBA floodgate will be open, and I don't think I'll be able to close it easily...

BR

Jewelltrail · 05-21-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Axl: but there is something about J9 that is pulling my leg... the only thing against it is that once I'll get M42>K adapter the LBA floodgate will be open, and I don't think I'll be able to close it easily...

Not sure if you have seen these yet, but worth a look if you have not--some lead to larger pics.

The World's Best Photos of bokeh and jupiter9. Flickr Hive Mind Search

axl · 05-21-2009, 11:56 PM

thank you Ernest,
some great shots there

BR

estudleon · 05-22-2009, 08:17 AM

I'm a J9 fan. The low cost of it not pay the special quality of it's images.

But I found a vivitar pre-set 85/1,8 (T mount) and now I have a first quality lens, pair to the hexanon 85/1,8 and better-to me- than the SMC 85 pentax.

Not Zeiss nor Leica, of course, but at F/4-11 is very, very sharp and with high contrast.

It's a planar design, very good lens.

stevebrot · 05-22-2009, 08:57 AM

I just want to put in a vote for the J-9. It is a bit of a pain to use at times, but when it delivers, it delivers BIG time. I have a Pentax FA 77mm Limited on its way, but plan to keep the J-9. It is that special. Almost all of my best shots from the last 12 months were taken with the J-9 and I am loath to ever part with it. The combination of bokeh and color rendition is pretty hard to beat.

Steve

(My avatar pic was shot with my J-9)

05-21-2009, 01:11 AM	#1
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	SMC-M 85/2 vs Jupiter 9 Hi everybody, just a quick question, which of those two is better/ better bang for buck? they are both MF and both would have exposure problems on my K10 but which is better to get? Please consider that Pentax is nearly 2s more than Jupiter with M42>K adapter BR Peter

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05-21-2009, 02:24 AM	#2
solisti Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 70	Originally posted by axl Hi everybody, just a quick question, which of those two is better/ better bang for buck? they are both MF and both would have exposure problems on my K10 but which is better to get? Please consider that Pentax is nearly 2s more than Jupiter with M42>K adapter BR Peter They are quite different lenses. It depends on what do you need. M85 is sharper wide open, has more "traditional" bokeh, better colors and the lens coating are a lot better. Then again jupiter has some qualities and a look in the images it produces that M85 can't match. I got my jupiter really cheap, and in that case the bang for the buck factor is quite unbeatable.

05-21-2009, 03:20 AM	#3
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Thanks, I would need the lens to plate my gap as portrait lens between 50 - 105. I'm thinking of DA70 or FA77 but for now I wouldn't mind to get some interim measure BR

05-21-2009, 05:07 AM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	have you considered the samyang (vivitar et. al) 85mm F1.4 aside from being faster it also is available in KA mount, which means full auto exposure and flash functions. not sure where it fits in the price range between the two lenses youu mention. I had been waiting to find an SMC 85mm F1.8 (K mount) and gave up.

05-21-2009, 05:42 AM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	thanks Lowell, I'll consider that one

05-21-2009, 05:47 AM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	axl beware, there are purists out there who don't like this lens. I got into a little "spat" with a forum member who said the lens was unremarkable, soft etc. There are reviews in the lens data base, biggest "complaint" is that the main barrel is plastic, as is the filter attachment thread, but considering what this lens will be largely used for, I don't see that a problem. In fact one member suggested just purchasing a cheap filter, to remove the element and leave the threads on the lens all the time (to get metal threads) stacking filters should not be a problem as this is a full frame lens check the following 100% crop shot at F2.5. this is jpeg right out of the camera no PP at all

05-21-2009, 08:59 AM	#7
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	If you decide to go the J9 route, let me know. I've been considering selling my copy.

05-21-2009, 09:08 AM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	Originally posted by deadwolfbones If you decide to go the J9 route, let me know. I've been considering selling my copy. althoough I am pleased with my vivitar, it might be interesting to hear why you are selling the J9

05-21-2009, 01:11 PM	#9
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Both are good choices. If you plan to get the 77ltd, you may want to go cheap for now and get the J-9. Having said that, the M 85 f/2 is one of my all-time favorites. My favorite Lens (link) J9! link J9! link2

05-21-2009, 02:34 PM	#10
jeffkpotter Guest	2 very nice lenses. I prefer the J9 because I really like the softness/rendering I get at F2. It sharpens up nicely at f4 above. It is a preset lens though, and many people dislike that intensely. (I love it.) With the SMC-M 85/2 that obviously wouldn't be an issue.

05-21-2009, 03:18 PM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Thank you, for now I don't really know. I do like the idea of SMC lens as my portrait lens, but there is something about J9 that is pulling my leg... the only thing against it is that once I'll get M42>K adapter the LBA floodgate will be open, and I don't think I'll be able to close it easily... BR

05-21-2009, 07:15 PM	#12
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: Axl: but there is something about J9 that is pulling my leg... the only thing against it is that once I'll get M42>K adapter the LBA floodgate will be open, and I don't think I'll be able to close it easily... Not sure if you have seen these yet, but worth a look if you have not--some lead to larger pics. The World's Best Photos of bokeh and jupiter9. Flickr Hive Mind Search

05-21-2009, 11:56 PM	#13
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	thank you Ernest, some great shots there BR

05-22-2009, 08:17 AM	#14
estudleon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 228	I'm a J9 fan. The low cost of it not pay the special quality of it's images. But I found a vivitar pre-set 85/1,8 (T mount) and now I have a first quality lens, pair to the hexanon 85/1,8 and better-to me- than the SMC 85 pentax. Not Zeiss nor Leica, of course, but at F/4-11 is very, very sharp and with high contrast. It's a planar design, very good lens.

05-22-2009, 08:57 AM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I just want to put in a vote for the J-9. It is a bit of a pain to use at times, but when it delivers, it delivers BIG time. I have a Pentax FA 77mm Limited on its way, but plan to keep the J-9. It is that special. Almost all of my best shots from the last 12 months were taken with the J-9 and I am loath to ever part with it. The combination of bokeh and color rendition is pretty hard to beat. Steve (My avatar pic was shot with my J-9)

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