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Archive 2016 · Small telephoto for travel?

TheEyesHaveIt
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Small telephoto for travel?

Hi all,

Generally when I travel I take my 16-35 and my 55. Unfortunately, I often find that the 55 is not long enough. I don't want to have to take my 70-200 f4 everywhere (which then makes me wonder why I have it), so I was looking for a small, light telephoto prime to take instead. I think manual focus would be fine and I don't need it that fast.

Few I was thinking about:

Batis 85mm - Expensive and does it provide that much over the 55?

Zeiss Sonnar 100m 3.5 (C/Y) - Well reviewed here http://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-zeiss-sonnar-t-100mm-f3-5-cy/

Any others that folks would recommend?

Thank you!

Apr 16, 2016 at 12:18 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Small telephoto for travel?

Well the lightest you will find is probably the Leica M 90 f/4 Macro--just 240 grams, but it cost about the same as the Batis. It is collapsible too, so it is a tiny packed which is wonderful for traveling.

The Zeiss C/Y 100 f/3.5 is a quite nice lens and fairly small. The data sheet is really hard to find for that lens because for some reason it is missing from the Zeiss English old lens database. In any event here is a link to it:

http://allphotolenses.com/public/files/pdfs/d93f15e2a7871ad91a443683a95e5361.pdf

The lens is pretty light (286g) and a nice performer.

Another I would add to your list to consider is the Minolta MC/MD 100 f/2.5. If you get one of the later MD versions it weighs just 310g. It is a nice performing lens and has a much wider aperture than the two above. This lens is also quite inexpensive. You should be able to get one for about $200. Phillip Reeve has a review of the MC version of lens on his blog here:

http://phillipreeve.net/blog/minolta-mc-tele-rokkor-100mm-12-5-review/

The last MD version is similar but may be slightly better.

Apr 16, 2016 at 12:35 PM

MIRANDA1
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Small telephoto for travel?

The Contax G90 with an adapter would work nicely, it's relatively small and great optically.

Apr 16, 2016 at 12:51 PM

arduluth
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Small telephoto for travel?

Search this and the alt forums. There are a bunch of threads about this very question. Short tele, 90mm, etc. Some of them are pretty recent.

I like the Contax G 90mm, but otherwise the C/Y 85mm f/2.8 or 100mm, Nikon 105mm would be NY pick.

Apr 16, 2016 at 12:58 PM

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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Small telephoto for travel?

Went for a short trip last fall and, likewise, was reluctant to take the 70-200. Took the Voigtländer 90/3.5 and the Konica Hexanon 135/3.2 instead. Both lenses are very light and compact. So the entire set was 16-35, 55, 90, and 135. Was happy with the result in the end -- felt it was just what the doctor ordered (for that particular trip).

Apr 16, 2016 at 12:59 PM

Alexluu627
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Small telephoto for travel?

Zeiss Otus 85mm f1.4 and a metabones iv will be your best bet. Just under 5k and smaller then your 70-200f4.

Apr 16, 2016 at 01:01 PM

phuviano
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Small telephoto for travel?

I only use the 16-35 and 85, as my normal kit, and travel kit. I do find 85mm limiting sometimes. However, i find cropping the image works most of the time.

I've travelled to mutiple destinations with my nikon 85 1.8g. I now have the batis 85, but have not taken it on any trips yet. I would say the nikon 85 with metabones adapter is about the same weight as the batis, or slightly heavier.

I've walked around all day (12 hours) with this setup, including an a7ii. I feel its a comfortable weight to carry around, not too heavy at all.

I feel there's a difference between 55 and 85 focal lengths. I've had the zony 55 before as well. I always found that lens either too short, or not wide enough in terms of focal length. I had a hard time selling that lens, because i loved the images from it. Although it didn't fit my needs. Only you can decide if 55 and 85mm are a significant difference. Since you have a 70-200. Try shooting at 85mm with it, and compare it to your 55.

Apr 16, 2016 at 01:09 PM

goto_dengo
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Small telephoto for travel?

Another vote for the Contax G 90/2.8. Picked mine up for $170 with original metal hood and kipon MF adapter on ebay.

It does have some correctable CA wide open, but is plenty sharp. Stopped down its a beast. Pretty nice bokeh balls, and pleasing OOF rendering imho.

Very light (240g) without adapter, but not especially short with adapter and hood on. You may also need to use gaffer's tape on the inside of the adapter to avoid internal reflections (which cause a weird sort of flare.)

All told, can't be beat for the money!

Apr 16, 2016 at 02:03 PM

thedruid
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Small telephoto for travel?

Contax 100mm f3.5, is what I use when I don't want to carry the 70-200 F4..a quick side by side test I did showed it to be as sharp as the zoom at 100mm but with a touch more contrast.

Apr 16, 2016 at 03:08 PM

TheEmrys
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Small telephoto for travel?

Minolta 100/2. AF, tiny, with superb IQ. Incredibly sharp and lovely bokeh. 55mm filter thread. Roughly the size of the 55/1.8. All of 480g. But sublime rendering. I chose it over the Sony 135/1.8. It is just nicer to carry with a more pleasant rendering.

Apr 16, 2016 at 03:19 PM

Luvwine
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Small telephoto for travel?

Another thought is the Leica M 135/3.4. Excellent lens and fairly small.

Apr 16, 2016 at 04:03 PM

mco_970
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Small telephoto for travel?

Zeiss Jena 135 f/3.5. Love mine. Fairly compact and light, excellent IQ.

Apr 16, 2016 at 04:28 PM

mdemeyer
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Small telephoto for travel?

If you want the extreme of small and light, the Canon 100mm f3.5 LTM lens in either the silver or black versions. Not going to be quite as sharp as a modern lens, but you would be surprised what it will do, especially stopped down a little. Maybe $200 for a good one used.

I also like the Leica Summarit 90mm f2.5, which is trading around $1000 or below now that the newer f2.4 came to market. The hood is not overly convenient, though.

Michael

Apr 16, 2016 at 04:50 PM

millsart
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Small telephoto for travel?

I'd take the 70-200/4

I've carried just the 90/2.8 Contax G, and its a great lens, but when I want some reach for a certain shot it was rarely enough. Being able to go to 200mm is great for those compressed sunset shots, capture certain details in the landscapes/cityscapes etc

Apr 16, 2016 at 10:48 PM

robgo2
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Small telephoto for travel?

arduluth wrote:
Search this and the alt forums. There are a bunch of threads about this very question. Short tele, 90mm, etc. Some of them are pretty recent.

I like the Contax G 90mm, but otherwise the C/Y 85mm f/2.8 or 100mm, Nikon 105mm would be NY pick.

The C/Y 85/2.8 has the same optical design as the Contax G 90/2.8, and its true focal length is 88mm. Of the two, the C/Y has a built-in MF ring, which makes it easier to use than the G, which requires an adapter with a somewhat clumsy MF ring. I have both lenses, and my recommendation is for the C/Y 85/2.8. It is compact, lightweight and produces beautiful images, making it an excellent travel lens.

Rob

Apr 16, 2016 at 11:33 PM

tommieh
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Small telephoto for travel?

A diff with the Contax G 90 and C/Y 85 is that with the G 90 you got the option for AF if you buy the TA-GA3 (£189). Quite pricey adapter though since adaptable lenses are at a minimum.

Another diff between the G90 and C/Y 85 is that the G90 is much easier to find and therefor often can be found cheaper then the C/Y version. Just compare these two searches:

C/Y 85 2.8:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Lenses-/3323/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=zeiss+cy+85+2.8&_sop=15

Contax G90:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Lenses-/3323/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=contax+g+90&_sop=15

The C/Y 85 is basically twice the price of the G90.

You'll find some samples of the G90 here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tommiehansen/sets/72157667142999286

Also Philip Reeve got some samples since he has reviewed it.

Edited on Apr 17, 2016 at 08:37 AM · View previous versions

Apr 17, 2016 at 01:21 AM

Jannik Peters
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Small telephoto for travel?

I think I can help you

Phillip Reeve and me met here in Wolfsburg and took all our 85-100mm lenses. Seems like we both suffer from serious GAS

85-90mm:

100mm:

We are going to write an article about our results in the near future, but I hope this will help you.

When the size is important to you, I'd choose between the Contax 2.8/85, Contax 3.5/100, OM 2.8/100 and maybe the MD 4/75-150.

I'd not buy the G 2.8/90 unless you need the AF, the manual focusing is a real (BIG!) pain. Edit: I see, that the displayed size is not original. Please download these images to see the proper 1:1 crops.

Apr 17, 2016 at 08:01 AM

jhinkey
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Small telephoto for travel?

Luvwine wrote:
Another thought is the Leica M 135/3.4. Excellent lens and fairly small.

Yep. That would be my suggestion as well.

Apr 17, 2016 at 12:41 PM

TheEyesHaveIt
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Small telephoto for travel?

Thanks all - and thanks Jannik! Appreciate the feedback as well. I'll need to shoot more with my 70-200 to see if I prefer 85 or 100 - or if I can just manage with the 70-200 (the flexibility is pretty nice).

Apr 17, 2016 at 01:22 PM

TMaG82
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Small telephoto for travel?

Which body? If it's the a7rII consider carrying a 100-135 and just throwing it in crop mode when needed and still have 18mp cropped files.

Apr 17, 2016 at 01:36 PM

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