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Archive 2016 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens

  
 
goranilic
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Hi,
I am needing a 85mm f2 or better lens for my A7 Before I save for a new Batis I am looking for sharpest option on "legacy" market. Would like to hear what you got and how do you like it.
My budget would be around $250.
Best...



Mar 24, 2016 at 03:17 PM
mogul
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


The sharpest legacy 85 is the Minolta 85 f1.4 Limited...it goes for a little more than your $250 limit.


Mar 24, 2016 at 03:53 PM
trogdon
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


I have heard good things about the Canon FD 85mm f1.8, but for your range I'd probably opt for the Samyang 85mm f1.4, it can close a full stop to f2 and is much sharper there than wide open


Mar 24, 2016 at 04:06 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


For that price, I also recommend the Samyang 85/1.4. It's a SLR lens but you should be very happy with it.
The good news is that you don't even need an adapter. There is an e-mount version of this lens:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1024119-REG/samyang_sy85m_e_85mm_f_1_4_lens_for.html







Mar 24, 2016 at 04:10 PM
goranilic
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Unfortunately, Minolta 85 f1.4 is around $450, and Samyang seems a bit heavy.
Thank you so far.



Mar 24, 2016 at 04:39 PM
GMPhotography
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Contax 90mm G maybe a good choice . Not sure on costs though


Mar 24, 2016 at 04:47 PM
mogul
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


goranilic wrote:
Unfortunately, Minolta 85 f1.4 is around $450, and Samyang seems a bit heavy.
Thank you so far.


The M limited is +3,000....I would suggest the Samyang also. I do have the A mount 85 f2.8 which is quite good and is cheap, light and has a SAM motor for AF.



Mar 24, 2016 at 04:49 PM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


goranilic wrote:
Unfortunately, Minolta 85 f1.4 is around $450, and Samyang seems a bit heavy.
Thank you so far.


Mogul was talking about the Minolta Limited, which I've seen go for $3-4k.

You might be able to find a Minolta MD 85/2 around your budget, and it has a good reputation for sharpness (I've never used it). Ditto the Nikon AIS 85/2.

Of those I've used, Oly OM has a very small 85/2 that's center sharp, but the bokeh isn't great and flare can be a real problem. Their much more expensive 90/2 Macro is a better lens in every way. The Canon FD 85/1.8's sharp enough wide open but there may be too much lateral CA for your liking. If you're willing to lose a stop, you can probably find a C/Y Zeiss Sonnar 85/2.8 around your budget. It's very good wide open.




Mar 24, 2016 at 04:54 PM
Tariq Gibran
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


The Samyang/ Rok I owned was not the sharpest lens stopped down - say F4 to F8 - but was pretty great wide open and at F2. I think the lens is really optimized for wide open vs ultimate sharpness stopped down.

In you budget, I have been very impressed by the old Nikkor H 85/1.8. If you are willing to go for an F2.8 lens, then the Zeiss C/Y 85/2.8 Sonnar (or the very similar Contax G 90) are hard to beat - and the CY is a very light weight, compact lens.



Mar 24, 2016 at 04:59 PM
TheEmrys
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Your budget of $250 is going to make it tough. You need to go either with a Canon 85/1.8, old Minolta MD 85/2 (huge stretch), the Nikon H, or the Samyang. Its just a bit low in budget. The best option may be the Sony 85/2.8, but it doesn't meet your desire for f/2 or faster. But it is a great lens.


Mar 24, 2016 at 05:29 PM
GMPhotography
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Hard to get sharp , cheap and fast. Something has to give.


Mar 24, 2016 at 05:32 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


GMPhotography wrote:
Hard to get sharp , cheap and fast. Something has to give.


He wants sharp, cheap, fast and light

Perhaps the Canon FD 85/1.8 S.S.C. is your lens: ($200)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-FD-85-mm-F-1-8-S-S-C-Manual-Focus-Portrait-Lens/381566180881



Mar 24, 2016 at 05:45 PM
MikeEvangelist
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


I'd also go with the Canon FD 85mm ƒ1.8. If you keep your eyes open you can get the earlier (non-SSC) version for around $100. Or as Fred suggested, go with the SSC version for around $200. Add a cheap FD-to-E adapter and you're good to go.


Mar 24, 2016 at 07:07 PM
GMPhotography
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Fred Miranda wrote:
He wants sharp, cheap, fast and light

Perhaps the Canon FD 85/1.8 S.S.C. is your lens: ($200)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-FD-85-mm-F-1-8-S-S-C-Manual-Focus-Portrait-Lens/381566180881


Easier to pick a wife.


Don't forget to look at KEH which sells a lot of legacy items. I'll get you a link

Here https://www.keh.com



Mar 24, 2016 at 07:09 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


GMPhotography wrote:
Easier to pick a wife.




BTW: Talking about Samyang. I was never able to get a good copy of their 14/2.8 but decided to play in the lottery last week and I won!
I got the E-mount version and it's perfectly centered. I better not drop this one. I will mainly use it for astro to complement the Loxia 21/2.8.



Mar 24, 2016 at 07:57 PM
JohnJ
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Just save your money and get the Batis sooner.


Mar 24, 2016 at 08:01 PM
40Driggs
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Fred Miranda wrote:


BTW: Talking about Samyang. I was never able to get a good copy of their 14/2.8 but decided to play in the lottery last week and I won!
I got the E-mount version and it's perfectly centered. I better not drop this one. I will mainly use it for astro to complement the Loxia 21/2.8.


You should do a write up on the 14. I'm thinking about picking one up to try some Astro also.




Mar 24, 2016 at 09:48 PM
lonleyppl
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


You can definitely get a Contax G 90 and adapter for $250. I picked mine up a few months ago for ~$190 and an adapter for $30. Sure it's only f/2.8 and the adapter doesn't have the best manual focus, but it's tiny, light, sharp and extremely contrasty.


Mar 24, 2016 at 09:51 PM
arduluth
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


I have a Minolta MD 85mm f/2 I might be will into part with for $250... Nice lens, balances well on the A7. Compared to the Minolta 85mm f/1.7, it's said to be sharper but with weaker bokeh. A classic trade-off.

I ended up getting a Pentax 77mm f /1.8 Limited, which replaces the MD 85mm f/2 for me.

My next pick would be a Contax G 90mm f/2.8. Lovely, super sharp lens.



Mar 24, 2016 at 09:55 PM
travelair
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Sharpest 85mm legacy lens


Oddball choice, but in your price range...a pre-VC Tamron 90/2.8 macro. Yeah, 1 stop slower than you desire, but extremely sharp, with very pleasing Bokeh. Available in multiple mounts, although mine is Nikon, primarily used on my D800.


Mar 24, 2016 at 10:04 PM
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