Super Takumar 85mm 1.9

tfe1 · Joined: 22 Apr 2021 Posts: 4

Hello

I read some contradictive opinions about Tak 85mm 1.9

Is it a good purchase or it is inferior to other 85s ?

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:11 am Post subject:

What do you think?

#1

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Welcome tfe1

What contradicting opinions did you hear?

Good purchase or not depends on price and goals -- want character or modern? Inferior compared to which other 85s?

tfe1 · Joined: 22 Apr 2021 Posts: 4

not sure what to say precisely..

many prefer SMS 85/1.8 or a Pancolar 80/1.8

or a Samyang 85

there are not many pictures in the net made with 85/1.9

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2490

It is not as modern a design as the newer 85mm 1.8. So a bit soft wide open, but it's bokeh has more character than the 1.8. More interesting. It is a matter of taste which you prefer.

These were made with my beat up copy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/randomdump/albums/72157714447054488

tb_a · Expire: 2019-08-28

tfe1 · Joined: 22 Apr 2021 Posts: 4

tfe1 · Joined: 22 Apr 2021 Posts: 4

[quote="Oldhand"]What do you think?

nice shot, what f-number did you use?

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 1:17 pm Post subject:

[quote="tfe1"]

tb_a · Expire: 2019-08-28

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Softness wide open is considered desirable for portrait lens...

http://forum.mflenses.com/super-multi-coated-takumar-11-9-85mm-m42-rare-lens-t46061.html

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

Lovely portrait!

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

I like it quite a bit, I think the bokeh is nicer than the f1.8.

chhayanat · Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 242 Location: The Cow Belt

papasito · Joined: 09 Jan 2015 Posts: 1658

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

Obviously completely unusable....just send all your copies to me...I will dispose of them properly..../s

I think its a very nice lens.

yoyomaoz · Joined: 31 Jul 2018 Posts: 89 Location: Adelaide

Over at Facebook, in a group on Takumar lenses I asked a question about the 85mm f1.9 compared with the 85mm f1.8 and the 120mm f28 . There are at least a couple of iterations of the latter 85mm and I have owned one of them but as I do not have the f1.9 have never had the opportunity to make any assessment of that lens. My question was in a thread about the 120mm f2.8 Takumar in which I diverged to ask about the 85mm version.

Gerjan van Oosten, who has written a book on Takumar lenses and who is a member of the Group responded as follows

" The 2.8/120 was especially designed for portrait photography, that's why it is somewhat weak in image quality at large apertures. It was necessary after Asahi Optical replaced the 1.9/85 with the new 1.8/85. The 1.9/85 has the same characteristics as the 2.8/120, whereas the 1.8/85 is sharp and contrasty at large apertures."

Clearly he is saying that the 120mm and possibly the 85mm f1.9 were designed for portrait work and is, as others here have pointed out, this might explain why the latter lens is less sharp wide open than the f1.8 lenses.

A link to Gerjan's book for those who might be interested. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5474768179259749&set=gm.1392374067797971

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

yoyomaoz · Joined: 31 Jul 2018 Posts: 89 Location: Adelaide

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

yoyomaoz · Joined: 31 Jul 2018 Posts: 89 Location: Adelaide

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2490

The 85 1.9 has more character. The 1.8 has a more modern design (There is also an Auto-Takumar 85mm F1.8, That is similar to the 1.9's. Probably even softer since it is 1.8 and has a smaller filter thread (55mm instead of 58 )).

y · Joined: 11 Aug 2013 Posts: 304 Location: EU

yoyomaoz · Joined: 31 Jul 2018 Posts: 89 Location: Adelaide

y wrote:

tfe1 wrote:

not sure what to say precisely..

many prefer SMS 85/1.8 or a Pancolar 80/1.8

or a Samyang 85

there are not many pictures in the net made with 85/1.9

The Super 85/1.9 is an older and simpler design compared to the others. Wide open it's softer and has more spherical aberrations. Bokeh is very good. Mechanical quality is a classic Takumar - the best.

While on the subject of other 85mm lenses I can certainly vouch for the quality of the Samyang / Rokinon offering in f1.4. I have the manual focus version of this lens which I adapt to a mirrorless camera and love its rendering which somehow seems to combine the best of modern and classic rendering, which exactly suits my taste. So if you cannot find a Takumar 85mm f1.8 or f1.9 at a price you are willing to pay you may wish to consider this (faster) alternative. These examples have been worked on in post to provide a somewhat painterly aspect but bear in mind that with a good starting image a good final result is never achievable. And this lens provides very nice images and if you are a fan of bokeh then these pics give a good idea of what the lens is capable of.

The Pause that Refreshes by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

Reserved for Lunch by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

Street Scene - Adelaide East End by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 2917 Location: The Netherlands

I’ve just ordered Gerjan's new book, I'm very curious!

I have no experience with the f/1.9. The f/1.8 however, I found remarkably sharp and contrasty for an old lens, even wide open. On the other hand, I notice I use my lenses less and less at their widest aperture. Usually enough subject isolation remains with the the aperture stopped down a little, with the added benefit of getting the focus nailed. So with the superb Takumar mechanics and the added character of the f/1.9 bokeh, this may well be a very pleasing portrait lens!