Fast 85mm range lens?

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 253 Location: Philippines

I'm back to posting in this forum.. after 5 years away.

I'm looking for a fast 85mm with the usual requisite drop-dead bokeh. I used to have a Jupiter-9 years ago but the prices on these things have come up to such a level that I don't feel happy buying another one, considering how poorly made they are.

I'm using Canon full-frame and I'm looking at an 85mm to fill a gap. The lens must be fairly cheap because I can get a used 85mm f/1.8 USM for $300 - I had one of these and it's a very nice lens. I see a few Helios-40 but the prices are too high, I'd frankly rather get the Canon 85mm f/1.8 which is more usable.

I actually have a 70-200mm f/2.8 (which is why I sold the 85/1.8 I had) but I've realized that the 70-200 is overly heavy and not at all pleasant to carry around, so I'm shifting to primes. I have the Canon 28mm and 135mm primes, so rather a large gap. A 50mm prime would fit right in, but I think I would prefer an 85mm.

Suggestions? One lens I'm looking at the Mamiya 80mm f/2.8 which is pretty cheap.. the 80/1.9 is also slightly interesting but quite a bit more expensive.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Jupiter 9s aren't poorly made, you must have been unlucky and had one someone messed with.

If you like smooth bokeh, a sonnar type like the J9 is the way to go.

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 253 Location: Philippines

The focusing ring on my J9 got stuck at minimum focusing distance. This was a new one from the early 2000's I think. Probably made on a Monday by someone with a hangover. After lots of huffing, puffing, and banging, I managed to free the ring. Had to use a jar opener I believe.

The J37 I had was a really old one and was nicer. Still rather crude. I believe it's also a Sonnar copy but I am overflowing with 135mm lenses as it is. I would agree that Sonnars are very pleasing.. I recently compared all my 135mm's and although the Canon 135mm f/2 beat all the others, the 1/10-priced CZJ 135/3.5 came close.

Did Zeiss Jena make an 85mm Sonnar? I think the 80mm Pancolar is actually a Planar, right?

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

An early, 1950s J9 probably, plus a relube to get rid of any dried up grease.

Nikon copied the Sonnar to make their 2.5/105 first version.

Not sure what other 85mm lenses are Sonnar types.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

The Contax Sonnar 2/85mm is a Sonnar type Wink

glaebhoerl · Joined: 03 May 2014 Posts: 100 Location: Hungary

Both the J9 and the (1950s) Nikon 85/2 were copied from the Zeiss Sonnar 85/2 as far as I know. But those are rather expensive and won't work on a DSLR (being rangefinder lenses). I've heard of the Nikon 85/2 AIS being compared to a good J9, and I seem to recall that the Olympus 85/2 is also a Sonnar/Ernostar...

tb_a · Expire: 2019-08-28

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

Thomas is right. There are J-9 made for SLR cameras in M39 and M42 mount. They are shorter than the one made for rangefinder.

The Olympus 85/2s are enhanced Ernostar.

Make sure you check the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical, it is pretty good for its price.

glaebhoerl · Joined: 03 May 2014 Posts: 100 Location: Hungary

Yes I know. I was talking about the Zeiss and Nikon rangefinder Sonnars. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

EDIT: And of course, there's also the 85/2.8 Zeiss Sonnars in C/Y and QBM mount... not sure if they're adaptable to EOS.

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 253 Location: Philippines

The QBM's can be adapted, you lose infinity focus but there's an easy fix, and being a tele lens the 5D mirror won't strike the back.

Unfortunately J9's now go for $150 so the Samyang 85/1.4 looks pretty darn good for only a little more, and it's an ED/aspherical lens.. all the other 85mm's cost more than the J9. Crying or Very sad

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

tb_a · Expire: 2019-08-28

Teo · Joined: 19 Jul 2014 Posts: 1079 Location: Romania

Try the Orestor 100/2.8 . m42.I think that there is an QBM Rollei to eos adapter available with variable results in the infinity .The C/Y adapters are working well on eos but I am not expecting for a C / Y 85mm to be fairly cheap. Or get that EF 85/1.8 , at 300 it still is a good price.
I am using the FDn 85/1.8 from Canon which is a gorgeous lens , but on mirror less body. On FF eos it doesn't fit.

Tedat · Joined: 08 Nov 2011 Posts: 800 Location: Berlin/Germany

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 253 Location: Philippines

might indeed end up with the EF 85/1.8 - i think it is optically identical to the FD 85/1.8

glaebhoerl · Joined: 03 May 2014 Posts: 100 Location: Hungary

I believe they're not - EF version has more elements (perhaps due to autofocus?).

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 253 Location: Philippines

You're right, they are different. A surprise. Since the 50/1.4 FD and EF are the same (7 elements / 6 groups) I assumed the 85's would be as well.

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 253 Location: Philippines

Hm. The Olympus OM 85/2 costs way more than the Pentax 85/1.9, which in turn costs more than the Canon EF 85/1.8 !!

So fond memories of manual focusing aside, I think my sanest option for a lens I will actually use a lot, is the EF 85/1.8

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

If you don't refuse AF lens, the EF 85 1.8 should be your best opinion. It is relatively cheaper than the new Canon primes.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

The build quality (or lack of it) has to be taken into account when considering a modern Canon lens. If you want a lens to last for many years of good service, don't buy a modern Canon, the quality is shocking, disposable grade almost.

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

For best value, Samyang 85 1.4.
For AF, EF 85 1.8.
For durability, get the old metal ones.
For fun, get the Mitakon 85 2.
...

For me, I go for the these two. Rolling Eyes

Olivier · Expire: 2015-08-06

Not fast but very good lens for a very good price : the Volna-3B 2.8/80mm MC.
It's a P6 mount, so made for medium format. It's very good on Canon Full format like the 5D Mark II.

RemcoR · Joined: 30 Dec 2014 Posts: 71 Location: Netherlands

Have a look at the Pentax 85/1.8 K or M42 Mount

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/Super-Multi-Coated-TAKUMAR-Auto-Takumar-85mm-F1.8.html

RemcoR

orly_andico · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 253 Location: Philippines

Incidentally, in terms of build quality.. I agree that modern Canon lenses can have poor build quality particularly at the consumer end.

But the older ones (and the 85/1.8 is one of the older ones) are pretty decent. I have this circa-1990's almost all-metal, tank-like 300mm f/4L (non-IS) which gives up nothing to these old manual focus lenses.

I used to own the EF 85/1.8 and while it's not up to L class, it's pretty OK.

While on the topic of the Volna 3, has anyone used the Mamiya 80mm f/2.8 for 645 mount? used prices are in the same range or even lower than the Volna 3.

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

For ~85mm on EF mount, I'd look at Nikkor 85's, Contax, CZJ, Pentax/Takumar, Leica R, Jupiter 9, OM, Helios 40...
My faves: Leica 90, Topcor 85(that Calvin posted), Pentax/Takumar, FD 85L, Konica AR