jcolwell - Yep, looks like recent sales on fleabay have been around 3000-3100 or so...pretty much in line with your LensDB. By the way, thanks very much for providing the LensDB it is very much appreciated. I do check it from time to time when looking at buying or selling something.
Paul - I so very much wanted to get your Contax 85N that has now changed hands multiple times...sigh maybe one of these days it will make it's way to me.
Mar 03, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Steve Spencer wrote:
One lens with a very stellar reputation that no one has mentions in the Pentax A* 85mm f/1.4.
Steve, I'm guessing that is a K mount and would have to be modified to clear the mirror on my 5d mkII? The tabs on my Vivitar 400/5.6 K mount lens definitely catch the mirror. Otherwise it does look like a very nice lens.
Mar 03, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Yes, it would have to be modified, but as I understand it the modification is not difficult. I think Jim Colwell has modified some K mount lenses, perhaps he will chime in about the modification.
metagraphica wrote:
Hi All! Looking for help/advice/opinions on what people think is the best Alt 85mm lens that can be easily adapted for FF Canon (5D mkII).
I'm in lust with the Conurus adapted Contax 85N that has been going around (from Paul to Phil to John to ) but haven't had the cash to pony up for that lens yet. Anyone have advice on something with similar IQ?
I've been looking at the Samyang (Rokinon, Vivitar, etc...) 85 1.4 as well.
Sounds like you are on a roll with the OMs! Good choices. I had/have all those too. Gotta love the small, sharp OM lenses.
I shoot film only so don't really have any pics to share on the OM 85. (btw, I do have an OM 85 I was considering selling..., feel free to PM. Also have a 24/shift I was thinking of selling too... mainly am moving to med/large format these days).
But, there's plenty of good pics, in the OM thread I think, of images from 85/2.
Thanks
-Ed
metagraphica wrote:
Ed, I've been looking at the OM 85/2. Since buying your 21/3.5 I've now picked up 3 other OM's. A 40/2, a 75-150/4, and 24/2.8. I also have my eye on a 24/shift. Do you happen to have any sample pics from the OM 85/2 that you could share?
Steve Spencer wrote:
Yes, it would have to be modified, but as I understand it the modification is not difficult. I think Jim Colwell has modified some K mount lenses, perhaps he will chime in about the modification.
Steve, Yep, I've seen previous threads where Jim shows/explains how to do the K mount modification. Not sure if I want to 'ruin' a perfectly good lens like that. Or maybe I should pick up an APS-C body and use my Viv 400 on that. The Pentax A* 85 would then become an option as well. Today's sale here on FM is going well so I'll have to see how much cash I have to work with...
Steve Spencer wrote:
Yes, it would have to be modified, but as I understand it the modification is not difficult. I think Jim Colwell has modified some K mount lenses, perhaps he will chime in about the modification.
Yep. I've performed the dreaded aperture leverectomy on a dozen or so fine Pentax K-mount lenses. Most of them have since been sold, and it didn't seem to affect their selling price. With some Pentax K-mount lenses, it's possible to remove the aperture lever without cutting it, but it's not possible with many of them, as removing the aperture lever disables the aperture. Give me a shout if you want instructions and I'll either find an old thread on it, or make a new one. I'll be out of touch for a week or so starting tomorrow morning, as I'll be out to sea.
I'd love to try both the SMC Pentax-A* 85mm f/1.4 and the SMC Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8, but they're scarce and very expensive. Some day...
I haven't tried the Leica R APO 90 yet, but of all lenses that I tried my top pick is Contax 85/1.2 for sheer image quality, followed by 85N and 85L for a combination of image quality and autofocus.
I try to never miss an opportunity to throw my vote in for the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 The only other 85mm lens I've owned was the Canon f/1.8, and while it had redeeming qualities I just didn't care for it. The Rokinon really wows me, as much today as when I first bought it. For what it costs, how can you not buy it? It really shines wide open, and it does well at narrow apertures too. The only draw back is that it is manual aperture, which can make certain situations challenging.
EricH wrote:
Surprised the Leica 80mm f/1.4 summilux doesn't get more mention here. That's a stunning lens. Beautiful character.
+1
I have the Rokinon 85/1.4 and it's by far the price/performance leader, but if you take price out of the equation, the Summilux would be my first choice. I regret selling mine. I think that it doesn't get as much mention simply because there are fewer around.
crazeazn wrote:
this thread went downhill very quickly
jcolwell wrote:
?
Yeah, I was wondering that myself. As the OP for this thread I have found the conversation very interesting and helpful.
There are SO many lenses (and opinions) that whenever a new one is mentioned it sets off a whole chain of research, googling, etc... to learn about that lens.
Much appreciated for everyone's input. Keep it coming.
For portraits, my choice would be the 80 'lux, but for all-around best performance around 85, I'd go with the OM 90/2. Wonderfully sharp across the frame wide open. The bokeh's a matter of taste, but I like it and the CA's controlled a little above average when you compare it with Oly's other F/2 offerings, particularly the wides. Excellent at distances, even better close-up, and with a 2:1 macro capability, close you can get.
I hesitate to say much bad about the Rokinon, since I have seen so many nice shots from
it on this board. However, mine often leaves me wanting something "more." Perhaps
it's just my copy. I find the color performance a bit dull compared with my C/Y Zeiss
85/2.8 Sonnar.
It may be partly that I usually shoot it indoors in low light. Yes, the bokeh can be
pleasing. Yes, the value is good. But the pop is often missing. And it does exhibit
significant abberation with peripheral light sources.
Sorry to rain on the parade, but if money were plentiful I would still be experimenting
with other 85mm lenses.
It's worth a try, though, especially at $270 or so.
) but haven't had the cash to pony up for that lens yet. Anyone have advice on something with similar IQ? 