Best 80-105mm portrait lens for $125 or less?

tkbslc · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 194 Location: Utah, USA

I have a 135 f2.8 and it is just a bit too long and my 58mm is just too short. So, I need a good semi-fast portrait lens in the 75-105mm range that is less than $125. And that is $125 realistically, not "I found a Biotar in the bottom of a camera bag I bought for $2 at a garage sale". Smile

So far my short list is Nikon 105 f2.5 non-AI and Jupiter 9 MC. Any others available in my budget that are decent? Any more than $125 and I am going to just save up for the AF variety. I have a 135 f2.8 and it is just a bit too long and my 58mm is just too short.

I'm shooting Canon 1.6x

themoleman342 · Expire: 2013-01-24

I have no experience with them yet, but the Ukrainian medium format stuff would be in your price range. I hear good things about the Mir 38B (3.5/65mm), MC Volna (2.8/80mm), and the Vega 12B (2.8/90mm). Each of which could be had for around $80 easily, the vega a bit less. The adapter will be about $30.

I have a Kaleinar 5N (2.8/100mm), with an m42 mount. Apparently this lens was a copy of the nikon series E with the same specs. I believe that it is a 4 elements/4 groups design. I can personally recommend this lens. They can be had for $90ish. I don't want to steal your thread so here is a small sample:

Tri-X, Zenit 122

You seem to know about the Jupiter 9 and there is nearly limitless speak about it here (that's a good thing Very Happy

), so I won't go into detail there.

~Marc

tkbslc · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 194 Location: Utah, USA

Thanks. I had actually just found the Kaleinar and was looking at it on ebay right as you recommended it. All the Kaleinar's I see are in Nikon mount, though, I did not know they came in m42. I have a Nikon adapter, so no biggie, but just curious to hear of an m42.

That's for the heads up on the Med Format lenses. I will give those a peek. Really I need F2.8 or faster, though, so that f3.5 one is out. APS-C digital has a bit less BG blur than film so I need more speed! Smile

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

There are quite a few other decent 105mm lenses around. Most should be available for less than $100, and some for under $50. I got all mine for way less than that.

Any given one would not not always easy to find, but there should be a few any week on ebay.

Tamron Adaptall 105/2.5

Tokina-made Soligor/Vivitar T4 105/2.8
http://forum.mflenses.com/vivitar-tokina-t4-105-2-8-t9180,highlight,vivitar+105.html

Sankor-made Accura/Spiratone 105/2.5 preset

Sankor-made (possibly) Accura Diamatic(and other brands maybe) 105/2.5 YS-mount
http://forum.mflenses.com/gas-gastronomy-or-too-many-lenses-t7085,highlight,diamatic.html

Komine (I think)-made Soligor 105/2.8
http://forum.mflenses.com/soligor-komine-105-2-8-preset-t8179,highlight,105.html

Tokina-made (lots of brands) preset 105/2.8

etc.

Vivitar, Soligor and other brands had preset 105/2.5's or 2.8's as well, at least in catalogs.

As for 85mm/1.5-1.9's, there are some third party ones around in various brands like Spiratone, Accura, Vivitar, etc. Prices tend to run fairly high for these, $100 would be borderline low.

themoleman342 · Expire: 2013-01-24

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

The Nikon 105/2.5 is a very famous lens in that length. It can be had for sub $100 in beater condition. There's one now for $90 at KEH (UGLY condition).

But I have a friend who got one in really beater (brassed) condition, dented filter ring, some marks on glass.. but the IQ is still fabulous! so I'd take the KEH ugly since KEH always under-rates their lenses. (they also have a BARGAIN one for $140)

The Nikon Series E 100/2.8 can be had for $100 at KEH.

Although I think 100mm is still a bit long if you find 135mm long.. sometimes you can get Super-Takumars (the 85/1.9) on the cheap. But ebay prices have been rising steadily.

Ballu · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:20 am Post subject:

You can find lot of good and some fast lenses in this range (price as well as FL). This is my collection (and approx $$ paid by me)

Nikon Series-E 100/2.8 ($50): Sharp like hell. Small, but too sharp for portrait.
Nikon Nikkor-P 100/2.5 ($55): Soft and old lens characteristics
CZJ Sonnar 85/2.8 (less than $100 for lot of lenses and cameras)" Havent used much. More of a vintage collection piece
Jupiter-9 85/2 ($60): Mine is Chrome/Silver rangefinder version, converted to M42. Top notch performance.
Nikon Nikkor 105/1.8 ($100): New addition. No words. Just posted few pics.
Leica Elmarit-R 90/2.8 (1st model) ($150): Typical old school Leica. Neutral, no fault...
Helios 85/1.5 ($150): If you MF club members, have to have this..
Canon FD 100/4 Macro (less than $30): Using only for macro purposes.

You can find the results of these lenses on my Flickr collection:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asbalyan/collections/72157608564617465/

All are good..

tkbslc · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 194 Location: Utah, USA

themoleman342 · Expire: 2013-01-24

It would take some real hunting to get some of those prices nowadays. Expect to pay slightly more.

scsambrook · Expire: 2011-11-18

Think about the Tamron 90mm f2.5 SP as well - they go on eBay UK for between £55 and £80 usually. I have one and it is very, very good indeed. It will show stubble and skin pores with no problem at f8 if you want gritty realism, or you can shoot at F2.5 and make things a little more flattering. And it makes the Out-Of-Focus-Areas dissolve nicely.

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

Tamron 90mm f2.5 SP, good portrait lens

Karhallarn · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 577

The Volna-3 80mm 2.8 is a superd portrait lens in my opinion and can be had for around 50€ which makes around 70$!

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

All above ! Meyer or Pentacon 100, Kaleinar 100

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

I forget... I have a Vivitar 90mm f2.8 Macro (made by Komine). It's a decent portrait lens, except for its extremely long focusing throw (about 700 degrees).

Arkku · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 1416 Location: Helsinki, Finland

My suggestions:

1) Sankyo Kohki Komura 105mm f/2.5 (may be hard to find at all, but obscure enough in M42 mount that it does not necessarily cost very much when found)

2) MC Kaleinar-5N

3) Tamron SP 90mm f/2.5 (model 52B, I think)

4) MC Jupiter-9

Ballu · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

Ballu · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Sankyo Kohki Komura 105mm f/2.5

Hard to find indeed, and when found they tend to go for too much in my opinion.

Arkku · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 1416 Location: Helsinki, Finland

rawhead · Expire: 2014-04-29

I can vow for the Tammy and my Jupiter-9––being one of the very first MF lenses I got––has a special place in my heart. I would like to put in another vote for the Volna-3, but if you are patient, you can probably score a Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f2.8 (Pentacon Six mount) within your $125 budget. In which case, I've found from experience, you will get the same or slightly better IQ than a Volna-3, and a much better tolerancy for flaring/ghosting.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

Volna-3 is a good lens. I sold mine when I got the Tamron 90mm macro thinking that I'd never use it. A decision I regret....sort of.

tkbslc · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 194 Location: Utah, USA

HOw big are the volna 3's and other pentacon 6 lenses? They are Medium format, right? So are they much bigger/heavier than a 35mm lens? I really don't like giant lenses.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Pancolar or Takumar 85s. I can't afford the Pancolar, but I'm in love with my old Super-Tak 1.9/85.

100% crop

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Because budget was low 125 USD or less this is the reason why nobody mentioned them.