I recently started purchasing MF lenses to use on my 1D and have fallen in love with them. I just sold a Sigma 70-200 I rarely used to help fund the purchase of a MF portrait lens, and I am currently trying to decide between these three.

I have done a fair amount of research on all of them, but still can't pick one.

I have heard only good things about the Nikkor 85/1.4, but I have heard mixed reviews about the Contax 85/1.4. Some people have said it is one of the best lenses made in this focal range, while others who have owned it and sold it suggest against purchasing it.

I currently own a Leica 35-70/4 and I can't say enough about how great of a lens it is. I know that the Leica 90/2 would be an excellent choice also, but I would also like something a little bit faster.

If anybody has any experience with any or all three of these lenses, I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions you can give me. Thanks

Kyle

You should look for Rokkor 85/1.7 also. There's one on sale on B&S forum.

I have the Leica 90/2 (pre-aspherical, Canada manufacture) and the Canon 85L II (no experience with the Zeiss or Nikon 85). The 85L wins in sharpness (out-resolving my 5D's sensor to the point of creating moiré artifacts on high-contrast edges), but in some cases I prefer the drawing characteristics of the 90/2.

Sharpness is acceptable at all apertures (I don't feel the need to stop down just for sharpness reasons). Vignetting is minimal (never enough to be noticed in a shot), as is CA. Here is a 100% crop from the 90/2 (at f5.6, I think, and near mid frame):

I have a Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 MM, and I love it. It provides great DOF control, super low-light performance, easy wide-open manual focusing, and superior sharpness. As far as sharpness goes, the Planar 80/1.4 is tied in second place with seven other lenses (one of them is EF 85/1.2L) in measured resolution tests at the old photodo site, with average weighted MTF of 4.6 (the Canon EF 200/1.8 was alone in first place at 4.8). As far as the subjective aspects go, including bokeh, contrast and colour, I like the Zeiss look. Michael provided a great description of why he likes the Summicron-R 90/2 bokeh (which I may grow to appreciate with the 50/2 that I recently acquired), and it sounds delicious. I guess the main point here is that personal preference plays a big role - maybe you should buy two of the three lenses you mention, compare them, keep the one you like best, buy the third alternative, compare them, etc...

I mention that my Planar 85/1.4 is the MM version because, while doing research on this class of lens, I found (and since lost) a credible reference that discussed the difference between Zeiss AE versions made in Germany and MM versions made in Japan (and those made in Japan from parts made in Germany) - the only worthwhile difference that the author described was that the Planar 85/1.4 MM is a bit better; all of the others are basically the same.

I haven't tried the Nikkor 85/1.4, but in all other comparisons that I've done involving Nikkor AI-S, SMC Pentax, Zeiss and a few other brands (Oly at 24mm), I've always preferred the Zeiss or Pentax. There it is again - personal preference.

Good luck, Jim.

Kyle - I'm glad you enjoy the Leica 35-70mm. I have the 90mm f2 Summicron R that I love to shoot it with my 5D. I can also suggest trying the Leica R 80mm f1.4 which every bit as good as the Zeiss 85 f1.4 or Nikon 85 f1.4. I had teh Zeiss Contax 85mm f1.4 and it was good for me except it's a bit heavy to lug around.

Thanks Charles - I absolutely love it. I haven't stopped shooting with it since my adapter came in

Anyway, back to the other lenses.

After some more reading, I think I have narrowed it down to the Contax 85 1.4 and the Nikkor 85 1.4

I have found copies of the Contax more easily and slightly cheaper, so I think I am leaning more toward that one at this moment.

Thanks for the help everyone. I really do appreciate it

Kyle

Maybe this is outside the scope of discussion, but the ZF 85mm f1.4 isn't too bad either. You get a very nice lens with a large aperture that is more versitile (Canon as well as Nikon with adapter) for just a bit more.

Another option is the Olympus OM 85mm f2.0 (probably the best bang for $$ 84mm lens) or the very nice OM 90mm f2.0 - of course these have slightly smaller apertures, but are well worth the sacrifice for the wonderful image quality they are capable of.