I'd like an 85 or 90 primarily for landscape - seascape use on my A900. Typical working aperture of 5.6 - 8.
Not really concerned with WO sharpness, but across the frame sharpness, and color aberrations at working apertures.
I'm not interested in the Sony 85/2.8, as I want a nice, solid MF lens. Thanks.
I tried this lens once and was very disappointed but given the data, I must of had a bad copy.
The 85 2.8 CY has a stellar reputation but you might wish to look at the CY 100 3.5 as well since it's tested performance might be just a bit better than the 85 2.8.
I have not tried the Sonnar, but owned an Elmarit, and it was a nice lens on my 5D. You couldn't go wrong with this lens (as long as it is not a bad copy; something I heard first from Tariq here; must have been dropped or something), but the Sonnar is also meant to be very good. Ultimately, neither is all that pricy, watch the market, go for the first good deal.
I owned a Elmarit M 90/2.8 latest version .( same optic design as the latest Elmarit-R 90 ). I own now a Sonnar-G 90 ( using it on a NEX 5 ).
I believe that the C/Y Sonnar 85 and the Sonnar-G 90 are, if not the same, very close in performance.
Comparing the Elmarit-M 90 with the Sonnar-G 90 I'd say that both are among the very best in this focal and aperture.
If I had to choose, price aside, it would be the Elmarit. As good as the Sonnar is, it needs to be stopped down to f/4 to perform at his best. Also, there's a small amount of CA.
The Elmarit was perfect from f/2.8 and I couldn't detect any trace of CA.
I owned the late version of Leica R90/2.8. IQ is excellent from infinity to MFD. At wide open, you may find some LCA in bokeh, but the transverse CA is not visible.
The Elmarit has 0.7m MFD compared to the 1m of the Sonnar.
The Elm has half clicks aperture between the full stops.
The Elm has a built in hood for convenience.
The Elm cost and weigh a bit more.
I think there are 4 versions of Elm. Look for the last version / late serial number.
Sonnar 85/2.8 C/Y is simply superb.I used to have two AEG copies,currently having two MMG.
One of the best Zeiss lenses made for Contax system IMO.Sharp and contrasty from f2.8 with great Zeiss colours and 3D on both crop and FF.Resistant to flare.Compact,lightweight and small.I sometimes mistake it with tiny 50/1.7 C/Y Planar when taking it out from my "NEX backpack" because they are so similar in size and weight.
The only drawback I can think of is a tendency to show moderate CAs in harsh light at full aperture.
Two weeks ago I managed to buy on Greman ebay my second MMG copy mint as new,boxed,with all paperwork and leather pouch,SN 84xxxxx for only 268 Euro shipped,so pretty inexpensive.
Go for it i you can.
Maybe not typical pic but taken yesterday,sony NEX5N at f8:
The 3 cam version starts at 3,260,100. Could be that the late numbers of 2 cam were the same, but I do not know. I have had it and the 90G but sold all as I hardly ever use this focal length (FD 85L seems more versatile for casual use). I was more impressed with Leica, but never compared them side by side.
Since you'll be shooting mostly at 5.6-8, you may want to consider the Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 90/3.5. No Zeiss or Leica rendering, but it should have a very good color purity, which is a very attractive thing IMO.
For landscapes I would get probably Zeiss, cause microcontrast is very nice thing to have when doing landscapes (more the merrier). Tho 90mm F2 ASPH would be good too, just slightly crazy expensive..
As AhamB suggest, Voigtlander isnt bad choice either, its actually nice to see something with different rendering.
AhamB wrote:
Since you'll be shooting mostly at 5.6-8, you may want to consider the Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 90/3.5. No Zeiss or Leica rendering, but it should have a very good color purity, which is a very attractive thing IMO.
Lest you think the CV is a lesser compromise, I suggest a read of Erwin Puts blog ('Tao of Leica') on the CV 90 (the SLII is the same optical formula as the M-mount version)--scroll down to the CV as he compares it to the 90 M Elmarit (great lens but not identical formula to the R-version as far as I am aware):
"Given the price of the Apo-Lanthar 90, this lens is a better choice than most second hand 90's from Leica on the market and is very close to the performance of the current 2.8/90, which is some act: the apo-lanthar is unbeatable in price/performance relation...As it stands it is optically a first class design."
