Help Needed: Looking for something similar to Sonnar 180/2.8

[pst]

I just can't seem to find what I am looking for: I'm searching for lenses that have a similar characteristics to the Sonnar 180/2.8 but at shorter focal lenghts.

Essentially the same soft bokeh, smooth transition, sharpness need not be the main priority, but still decent and also good contrast!
The focal lengths I'm looking for are ~80mm and 120-135. I've checked a lot of photos here on the forum, but can't make up my mind.


Can you give me some advice, what I should be looking for?

Thanks!

[aoleg]

Ah, another Sonnar lover! It's my favorite optical formula for portraiture and most stuff that includes bokeh.

Well, the 135mm part is quite easy: almost any Sonnar-based 135/3.5 will work for you. That includes CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5, Jupiter-11 135/4, Jupiter-37 135/3.5 (MC versions are better), Nikkor-Q, Q.C. and "K" versions of 135/3.5 (but NOT Pentax Takumar 135/3.5, which will render harder and with more CA). f/2.8 lenses include at very least Contax Sonnar 135/2.8, Nikkor Ai and AIS 135/2.8 and quite a few others.

In ~80mm, the choices are limited. Obviously, Jupiter-9 85/2 is the fist Sonnar-based lens that comes to mind (MC versions are better herem, but unfortunately QC variation is very high among late batches; older copies seem more consistent, although they lack MC). Olympus Zuiko or MC Zuiko (beware F.Zuiko, wich is an older SC design) are extremely nice and quite close to what you want to achieve. Ai and AIS Nikkor 85/2 is also close despite the (deserved) controversial feedback you might read elsewhere. Contax Sonnar 85/2.8 lacks f/2 and renders in a more technical way, but I think it must be mentioned here as it also is a Sonnar design.

[AMDBill]

hello

i m a sonnar lover to and you resume very good the differentes varietys

the CZJ sonnar 135/4 is almost very nice and under 80mm (for portraiture on APS-C) the takumar 58/2 sonnar type is very nice to(i m triing carbonR's one)

the takumar 83/1.9 is a sonnar ,but very expensive

[Spotmatic]

Another vote for the 58mm f/2 Sonnar. It's the one and only Sonnar-type standard lens for SLR's.

Also, I'd try out CarbonR's 83mm f/1.9 Takumar. It's based on a Sonnar design too.

[AMDBill]

i m gonna try them

he have 2 copy : black M42 and chrome M37


monday he gaves me 83/1.9 black M42 + tamron 300/2.8 and i give to him his tak 58/2 and his MTO 11CA

[Spotmatic]

[AMDBill]

i ve the chance to live in the same town as him ,and it s a good friend so i can test the totality of this lenses

i know him from a french forum

[pst]

Yes, I heard of the 58/f2 before, but it seems to be very rare indeed?
Is it pricey?

[aoleg]

[Olivier]

[Spotmatic]

[Orio]

Don't forget about the aluminium Sonnar 4/135 by CZJ
Better than the f/3.5 in my opinion.
There was an "aus Jena" M42 one today at the used camera fair... aargh hated to have to leave it there...