Awhile back I started a thread about the Zeiss 85mm 1.4 ZE and questioned whether it was a different optical design than the ZF version. From what I can gather it is not significantly different and that means that it does not incorporate an aspherical element as does the Canon 85mm 1.2. It seems from certain recent reviews the Zeiss 85mm 1.4 is an old design which cannot compete with the Canon. I made the suggestion that perhaps Sigma could possibly come out with an 85mm 1.4 Aspherical lens at an affordable price. It seems that Samyang aka Polar has beaten them to the punch. Unfortunately there is little information about this new lens from Samyang outside of Korea and it may never see US shores. I certainly hope this is not the case. I have supplied a link to this fascinating alternative to the Zeiss and Canon but it is in the Korean language. Nevertheless it does show some of it's performance characteristics and it looks quite good from what I can see. On paper it does apper to beat out the Zeiss. The link also has some nice photos of the lens attached to a Canon and Nikon camera.
Does anyone have any further information on the Samyang/Polar 85mm 1.4 Aspherical lens? Is there any chance of this lens making over to the US? All in all this lens might be an answered prayer for those of us wanting an affordable fast sharp modern design 85mm 1.4 as the Zeiss does not satisfactorily address this as I see it.
Looks like a fairly thorough review. I like the room with all the lightbulbs and crap on the walls.
I've seen these on ePay...was also curious about them. I've been looking for a nice 85...I think I'm down to either the Planar 85 or Canon 85/1.8.
*edit*
Just looked it up on ePay...$338.00 shipped if you use the 30% freebie from Microsoft. Not a bad deal for an 85 that fast if it's actually any good.
Someone compared a Zeiss lens with the Polar/Samyang lens. Interesting. I can't see much of a difference. The Zeiss appears to have more CA. Though, in all honesty, I can't tell which Zeiss they're using.
jsv_20 wrote:
Someone compared a Zeiss lens with the Polar/Samyang lens. Interesting. I can't see much of a difference. The Zeiss appears to have more CA. Though, in all honesty, I can't tell which Zeiss they're using.
This lens looks very promising.
I'll have to check it out on my next trip to Korea.
I think the test of above link was done with Contax 85/1.4, not sure which version though.
If I get a few more tests to look at, I might get one in nikon mount. I'm dying for a good manual lens in the 80-90 range. I guess I'll wait until the 105 2.5 I ordered arrives, maybe that will suit my needs.
ulrikft wrote:
If I get a few more tests to look at, I might get one in nikon mount. I'm dying for a good manual lens in the 80-90 range. I guess I'll wait until the 105 2.5 I ordered arrives, maybe that will suit my needs.
I absolutely love my Ai-S 105/2.5 (and better yet, my friend's VR 105/2.5), but this Polar 85/1.4 looks promising for lower lights.
After taking a closer look at the Zeiss lens, it appears to be a Nikon mount Planar ZF. It's got an aperture ring as well as the "bunny ears" common to manual focus Nikkor lenses. It received great reviews when it first came out, but it appears that it now has a rival that has outperformed it. I wish the poster would list the ISO used for the images.
A comparison of the Nikkor 85 f1.4 AIS with the Polar 85mm f1.4 would be interesting.
