Prime lens focal length

micl161 · 07-08-2021, 06:56 PM

Just wondering why there is not many prime lens (all brands) between the focal length 60~ 85 mm. I know there a few like Pentax 77mm or others but if you compare with like 85 ~ 100mm, there are much more prime lens in this range. Is it because of field of view from 60~ 85 mm is not much difference ? or ...

**UncleVanya** · 07-08-2021, 07:03 PM

Just because the users / buyers expect a certain set of products.

selfnoise · 07-08-2021, 07:15 PM

85mm is the classic "portrait" FF lens. It makes sense from one perspective to manufacture to specific focal lengths (or equivalents) since a practiced photographer knows exactly what they're getting.

Sigma has an optical formula for a 70mm macro and there have been a few iterations of that lens. But you typically see 'strange' focal lengths primarily on crop sensor cameras and they're often an attempt to provide equivalence, like the 42.5 lenses for m43 are just equivalent to good ol 85.

And of course there are the FA Limiteds.

**UncleVanya** · 07-08-2021, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by selfnoise

85mm is the classic "portrait" FF lens. It makes sense from one perspective to manufacture to specific focal lengths (or equivalents) since a practiced photographer knows exactly what they're getting.

Sigma has an optical formula for a 70mm macro and there have been a few iterations of that lens. But you typically see 'strange' focal lengths primarily on crop sensor cameras and they're often an attempt to provide equivalence, like the 42.5 lenses for m43 are just equivalent to good ol 85.

And of course there are the FA Limiteds.

The other reality is that the actual focal length is often not 85 or 50 or whatever it claims. The actual focal length is rarely exactly what is claimed.

stevebrot · 07-08-2021, 07:35 PM - **1 Like**

There are conventional focal lengths and the makers generally offer products at those points. They may also support others. For 35mm film, the conventional focal lengths for primes might include:

24mm
28mm
35mm
50mm
85mm
135mm
200mm
300mm

Other focal lengths that are not uncommon include:

20mm
25mm
30mm
40mm
45mm
55mm
58mm
90mm (macros)
100mm (macros and portrait)
105mm (macros and portrait)
150mm
400mm

There are often gems in the second list.

Steve

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-08-2021, 07:41 PM - **2 Likes**

I have to think there is and has been a lot of competition out there between manufacturers to cover what the other guys have. You'll see some other lengths with gaps to, not much between 105 and 135, or between 150 and 200. In some cases it may be a little easier to develop something that you have a "starting point" for, instead of outright using the optical design.

**pepperberry farm** · 07-08-2021, 07:44 PM

ugh... I currently have 8 lenses between 60 and 85mm....

micl161 · 07-08-2021, 08:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

ugh... I currently have 8 lenses between 60 and 85mm....

WOW, just curious,

can you list them ?

**pepperberry farm** · 07-08-2021, 08:26 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by micl161

WOW, just curious,

can you list them ?

of course...

Mamiya Macro Sekor 60/2.8 (M42)
Fuji XF 60/2.4 R Macro (X-mount)
Pentax DA 70/2.4 Limited (K-mount)
Sigma EX DG 70/2.8 Macro (K-mount)
Pentax FA 77/1.8 Limited (K-mount)
Pentax SMC A* 85/1.4 (K-mount)
Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 ZK T* (K-mount)
Voigtlander AR 85/2.8 (QBM-mount)

micl161 · 07-08-2021, 09:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

of course...

Mamiya Macro Sekor 60/2.8 (M42)
Fuji XF 60/2.4 R Macro (X-mount)
Pentax DA 70/2.4 Limited (K-mount)
Sigma EX DG 70/2.8 Macro (K-mount)
Pentax FA 77/1.8 Limited (K-mount)
Pentax SMC A* 85/1.4 (K-mount)
Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 ZK T* (K-mount)
Voigtlander AR 85/2.8 (QBM-mount)

What a collection ! I hope I can have the Voigtlander

Venus Laowa V-DX 60mm F2.8 Macro 2:1

USSR TRIAR-3 LENS 85mm f2.8 projector lens ,
Jupiter-9 MC 85mm f2.0,
Mir–38B 65 mm f/ 3.5 Lens

Mamiya Sekor C 70mm f2.8 E

Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF

I have these in the 60~85mm, the Mir and Mamiya are medium format lens and as well as the projector lens, I need to use adapter, but I'm satisfy with the result.

And I have also the Pentax 110 70mm F2.8 for my Olympus M43, fun to use.

**pepperberry farm** · 07-08-2021, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by micl161

What a collection ! I hope I can have the Voigtlander

nice!!

and thank you....

unfortunately, this Voigtlander was from the time-frame when 'Voigtlander' was a name only; the lens is just a re-bodied Mamiya SX lens....

it's still a capable lens, but it doesn't carry the earlier or later models' quality build...

stevebrot · 07-08-2021, 10:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

Sigma EX DG 70/2.8 Macro (K-mount)

I regret not getting one of those before Sigma killed their EX DG line of macro lenses. I would have ditched my Sigma 50/2.8 EX DG and might even have not gotten my Tamron 90/2.8 (72B). I do like the Tamron though and and am very fat and wallowing in macro options.

Steve

**pepperberry farm** · 07-08-2021, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I regret not getting one of those before Sigma killed their EX DG line of macro lenses. I would have ditched my Sigma 50/2.8 EX DG and might even have not gotten my Tamron 90/2.8 (72B). I do like the Tamron though and and am very fat and wallowing in macro options.

Steve

I'd rather have an excess of macros.....

the Sigma 70 is a monster - superior optics and possibly the fastest-focusing AF macro lens I have....

Fogel70 · 07-08-2021, 10:41 PM

Originally posted by micl161

Just wondering why there is not many prime lens (all brands) between the focal length 60~ 85 mm. I know there a few like Pentax 77mm or others but if you compare with like 85 ~ 100mm, there are much more prime lens in this range. Is it because of field of view from 60~ 85 mm is not much difference ? or ...

There are lot of cheap prime lenses lenses between 50 - 58 mm, so it is not much use to release lenses in tbe 59 - 84 mm range. They would most likely become much more expensive. Many zoom lenses for FF also cover this range, like 24 -70mm and 70--200mm.

**Papa_Joe** · 07-09-2021, 12:59 AM

I never realized the lack of 70 mm before, probably since when I started with photography 70 mm was a very common focal length for zoom lenses. There where a lot of lenses like 35-70, 70-200. One of the first zoom lenses of Pentax was the 75-150. Still today 2.8 70-200 is a staple.

But you are right, there was no prime in the range from normal to 85 expect some macros from Olympus and Nikon.
I would guess there was no market for this focal range. Portrait was 85 mm onward and 70 mm is much to short to be sold as a telephoto to the common user. Even 100 mm wasn't sold to often. Those where usually macros.

On the other side the gap between normal and telephoto primes is even wider today if you consider the smaller sensor size.
Very few 70 mm, as you mentioned, despite them representing the 100 mm.
Only one 90 mm (Tamron), despite representing 135 mm on VF, a very common focal length.
Very few 135 mm, depite representing 200 mm on VF.

07-08-2021, 06:56 PM	#1
micl161 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 127	Prime lens focal length Just wondering why there is not many prime lens (all brands) between the focal length 60~ 85 mm. I know there a few like Pentax 77mm or others but if you compare with like 85 ~ 100mm, there are much more prime lens in this range. Is it because of field of view from 60~ 85 mm is not much difference ? or ...

07-08-2021, 07:35 PM - 1 Like	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	There are conventional focal lengths and the makers generally offer products at those points. They may also support others. For 35mm film, the conventional focal lengths for primes might include: 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 85mm 135mm 200mm 300mm Other focal lengths that are not uncommon include: 20mm 25mm 30mm 40mm 45mm 55mm 58mm 90mm (macros) 100mm (macros and portrait) 105mm (macros and portrait) 150mm 400mm There are often gems in the second list. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 07-08-2021 at 07:49 PM.

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07-08-2021, 07:03 PM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Just because the users / buyers expect a certain set of products.

07-08-2021, 07:15 PM	#3
selfnoise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Westbrook, ME, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 288	85mm is the classic "portrait" FF lens. It makes sense from one perspective to manufacture to specific focal lengths (or equivalents) since a practiced photographer knows exactly what they're getting. Sigma has an optical formula for a 70mm macro and there have been a few iterations of that lens. But you typically see 'strange' focal lengths primarily on crop sensor cameras and they're often an attempt to provide equivalence, like the 42.5 lenses for m43 are just equivalent to good ol 85. And of course there are the FA Limiteds.

07-08-2021, 07:20 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by selfnoise 85mm is the classic "portrait" FF lens. It makes sense from one perspective to manufacture to specific focal lengths (or equivalents) since a practiced photographer knows exactly what they're getting. Sigma has an optical formula for a 70mm macro and there have been a few iterations of that lens. But you typically see 'strange' focal lengths primarily on crop sensor cameras and they're often an attempt to provide equivalence, like the 42.5 lenses for m43 are just equivalent to good ol 85. And of course there are the FA Limiteds. The other reality is that the actual focal length is often not 85 or 50 or whatever it claims. The actual focal length is rarely exactly what is claimed.

07-08-2021, 07:41 PM - 2 Likes	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	I have to think there is and has been a lot of competition out there between manufacturers to cover what the other guys have. You'll see some other lengths with gaps to, not much between 105 and 135, or between 150 and 200. In some cases it may be a little easier to develop something that you have a "starting point" for, instead of outright using the optical design.

07-08-2021, 07:44 PM	#7
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	ugh... I currently have 8 lenses between 60 and 85mm....

07-08-2021, 08:08 PM - 1 Like	#8
micl161 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 127 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm ugh... I currently have 8 lenses between 60 and 85mm.... WOW, just curious, can you list them ?

07-08-2021, 08:26 PM - 1 Like	#9
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by micl161 WOW, just curious, can you list them ? of course... Mamiya Macro Sekor 60/2.8 (M42) Fuji XF 60/2.4 R Macro (X-mount) Pentax DA 70/2.4 Limited (K-mount) Sigma EX DG 70/2.8 Macro (K-mount) Pentax FA 77/1.8 Limited (K-mount) Pentax SMC A* 85/1.4 (K-mount) Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 ZK T* (K-mount) Voigtlander AR 85/2.8 (QBM-mount)

07-08-2021, 09:29 PM - 1 Like	#10
micl161 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 127 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm of course... Mamiya Macro Sekor 60/2.8 (M42) Fuji XF 60/2.4 R Macro (X-mount) Pentax DA 70/2.4 Limited (K-mount) Sigma EX DG 70/2.8 Macro (K-mount) Pentax FA 77/1.8 Limited (K-mount) Pentax SMC A* 85/1.4 (K-mount) Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 ZK T* (K-mount) Voigtlander AR 85/2.8 (QBM-mount) What a collection ! I hope I can have the Voigtlander Venus Laowa V-DX 60mm F2.8 Macro 2:1 USSR TRIAR-3 LENS 85mm f2.8 projector lens , Jupiter-9 MC 85mm f2.0, Mir–38B 65 mm f/ 3.5 Lens Mamiya Sekor C 70mm f2.8 E Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF I have these in the 60~85mm, the Mir and Mamiya are medium format lens and as well as the projector lens, I need to use adapter, but I'm satisfy with the result. And I have also the Pentax 110 70mm F2.8 for my Olympus M43, fun to use.

07-08-2021, 09:34 PM	#11
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by micl161 What a collection ! I hope I can have the Voigtlander nice!! and thank you.... unfortunately, this Voigtlander was from the time-frame when 'Voigtlander' was a name only; the lens is just a re-bodied Mamiya SX lens.... it's still a capable lens, but it doesn't carry the earlier or later models' quality build...

07-08-2021, 10:17 PM - 1 Like	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pepperberry farm Sigma EX DG 70/2.8 Macro (K-mount) I regret not getting one of those before Sigma killed their EX DG line of macro lenses. I would have ditched my Sigma 50/2.8 EX DG and might even have not gotten my Tamron 90/2.8 (72B). I do like the Tamron though and and am very fat and wallowing in macro options. Steve

07-08-2021, 10:26 PM	#13
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by stevebrot I regret not getting one of those before Sigma killed their EX DG line of macro lenses. I would have ditched my Sigma 50/2.8 EX DG and might even have not gotten my Tamron 90/2.8 (72B). I do like the Tamron though and and am very fat and wallowing in macro options. Steve I'd rather have an excess of macros..... the Sigma 70 is a monster - superior optics and possibly the fastest-focusing AF macro lens I have....

07-08-2021, 10:41 PM	#14
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Originally posted by micl161 Just wondering why there is not many prime lens (all brands) between the focal length 60~ 85 mm. I know there a few like Pentax 77mm or others but if you compare with like 85 ~ 100mm, there are much more prime lens in this range. Is it because of field of view from 60~ 85 mm is not much difference ? or ... There are lot of cheap prime lenses lenses between 50 - 58 mm, so it is not much use to release lenses in tbe 59 - 84 mm range. They would most likely become much more expensive. Many zoom lenses for FF also cover this range, like 24 -70mm and 70--200mm.

07-09-2021, 12:59 AM	#15
Papa_Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: SW Bavaria Posts: 562	I never realized the lack of 70 mm before, probably since when I started with photography 70 mm was a very common focal length for zoom lenses. There where a lot of lenses like 35-70, 70-200. One of the first zoom lenses of Pentax was the 75-150. Still today 2.8 70-200 is a staple. But you are right, there was no prime in the range from normal to 85 expect some macros from Olympus and Nikon. I would guess there was no market for this focal range. Portrait was 85 mm onward and 70 mm is much to short to be sold as a telephoto to the common user. Even 100 mm wasn't sold to often. Those where usually macros. On the other side the gap between normal and telephoto primes is even wider today if you consider the smaller sensor size. Very few 70 mm, as you mentioned, despite them representing the 100 mm. Only one 90 mm (Tamron), despite representing 135 mm on VF, a very common focal length. Very few 135 mm, depite representing 200 mm on VF.