p.1 #1 · is there a better value than the Samyang 85mm 1.4?
I believe my next purchase will be a Samyang (Bower, Rokinon, Vivitar, etc) 85mm 1.4. My question is there anything out there that is a better value? I had a Mamiya 80mm 2.8N that was fabulous, but was 2.8..but i won't always shoot WO.
I see them on eBay for $269 shipped, depending on the branding. A local shop here in PDX has a Vivitar for $349, and I will try it out to see what it is like. I doubt they will match prices. $80 can get me a nice OM 50mm 1.4 if I look hard enough..
I am also looking at the 14mm 2.8 (Samyang), but that is a different discussion.
p.1 #2 · is there a better value than the Samyang 85mm 1.4?
I think at that Fl there isn't much else out there with that speed. Its on my short list, for sure. The OM 1.4/50 is a no-brainer if you can find one for less than $100. I found one for $69 and I just love it on my 5D. What I have been using at ~85mm is a Tamron SP 2.5/90mm MACRO. I also have been very pleased with my results from this lens as well -- but still, its slower by far. I think I paid about $150 for it.
Paul
p.1 #5 · is there a better value than the Samyang 85mm 1.4?
not ~85mm and f/1.4. if you are willing to accept f/2 there a few other options in the same price range or lower, and as peaktopeak says the tamron 90/2.5 macro is a great lens (as are the tokina and vivitar). if you want f/1.4 but are willing to go with a ~50mm lens then there are a ton of options in the same price range as the zuiko.
p.1 #6 · is there a better value than the Samyang 85mm 1.4?
thanks for the replies. I will be using this on a FF body, and I think I would like 85mm over a 50mm to be honest. As far as I know, the 3mm 1,4 from Samyang doesn't exist yet (as in not for sale yet..and I am sure it will be $600+.. )
p.1 #7 · is there a better value than the Samyang 85mm 1.4?
Yes, I found the Jupiter-9 (85/2) to be an excellent portrait lens, beautiful skin tones. Many go for just 40 quid or so.
Feb 16, 2011 at 04:45 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #8 · is there a better value than the Samyang 85mm 1.4?
It depends on what you are looking for. The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 is a very nice portrait lens and is available at a very nice price, but if you wanted a lens with a short minimum focus length the Samyang is not it. The Olympus OM 85mm f/2 has a fairly short minimum focus distance (.85m) and a floating element to improve near field corrections and would be a better lens for about the same money if you shot a lot in close range. Similarly, although the Samyang can do fine with landscapes, I don't think that is the strength of the lens either. For just a bit more money, if you were interested primarily in shooting landscapes then the Contax/Yashica mount Zeiss 85mm f/2.8 is a wonderful lens. So think about what you are going to use the lens for and if it is primarily portraits, then I think the Samyang is an excellent lens and a very reasonable price.
p.1 #9 · is there a better value than the Samyang 85mm 1.4?
Steve Spencer wrote:
It depends on what you are looking for. The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 is a very nice portrait lens and is available at a very nice price, but if you wanted a lens with a short minimum focus length the Samyang is not it. The Olympus OM 85mm f/2 has a fairly short minimum focus distance (.85m) and a floating element to improve near field corrections and would be a better lens for about the same money if you shot a lot in close range. Similarly, although the Samyang can do fine with landscapes, I don't think that is the strength of the lens either. For just a bit more money, if you were interested primarily in shooting landscapes then the Contax/Yashica mount Zeiss 85mm f/2.8 is a wonderful lens. So think about what you are going to use the lens for and if it is primarily portraits, then I think the Samyang is an excellent lens and a very reasonable price....Show more →
My feelings exactly regarding Zuiko and Sonnar. I obviously couldn't express this nearly as well as Steve did.
. $80 can get me a nice OM 50mm 1.4 if I look hard enough.. 
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