I love focal lengths from 50 above, sweet spot being 85, I own a few of those but I miss the focal length on Z cameras as the f1.2 which I own is too heavy to take around just for the sake of it.
I own the 85/1.4D and love it, took it for a spin recently and on a D850 it always performs no matter no AI AF assist, unfortunately it can't mount on a Z without loosing AF so I am thorn between getting the S version in f1.8 flavor or if to go for a used G version that I can use on both D and Z body, I would like to know from those who own/owned it how does it perform on native F bayonet and how does it do adapted on a Z body.
G Lenses always adapt quite well to Z - should operate as good as on the DSLR, though with even better focus accuracy.
With that said, there are some third party Z lenses also worth considering - the Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 is fantastic, with an absolutely beautiful rendering and still quite sharp - easily as sharp as either 85G, and it's also rather compact and light. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro is also worth a look, with its excellent sharpness and good rendering. The 85/1.8S is a very good lens, but I find it hard to justify its price given the excellent third party glass available at the same price or cheapre. I've owned the 85/1.8S in the past, and I prefer my Aurora 85/1.4 in pretty much every way. I paid $375 used for mine, but even new it's $300 less than the 85S, and I'd prefer it even if they cost the same.
I own the 85/1.2 S. I do also own the Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO which is fun and light.
However, I do enjoy using the 85/1.4 AI-S with the ETZ and Shoten E to F Mount adapter. Its has some heft to it. I do also have the 85/1.4G that I use with the FTZ which is def little lighter. I did recently purchase a SMC Takumar 85/1.8 as well that I use with the ETZ and Shoten E to M42 Mount.
85/1.2 S,85/1.4G and Viltrox 85 f/2 EVO have AF
85/1.4 Ai-S and SMC Takumar 85/1.8 are Manual Focus but with Focus Confirmation.
The Takumar 85/1.8 is the smaller of my 85's for MF and 85/2 EVO is the smaller of the 85's for AF.
I usually reach for the 85/2 Evo for when i want AF or Takumar 85/1.8 if i want to use MF.
My go to focal length is usually 50,85,105
I've been trying to force myself to use the 28 and 35 lately tho.
Jman13 wrote:
G Lenses always adapt quite well to Z - should operate as good as on the DSLR, though with even better focus accuracy.
With that said, there are some third party Z lenses also worth considering - the Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 is fantastic, with an absolutely beautiful rendering and still quite sharp - easily as sharp as either 85G, and it's also rather compact and light. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro is also worth a look, with its excellent sharpness and good rendering. The 85/1.8S is a very good lens, but I find it hard to justify its price given the excellent third party glass available at the same price or cheapre. I've owned the 85/1.8S in the past, and I prefer my Aurora 85/1.4 in pretty much every way. I paid $375 used for mine, but even new it's $300 less than the 85S, and I'd prefer it even if they cost the same....Show more →
I agree about the Sirui, assuming you can get a well centered copy. Its rendering is so pleasing that I replaced my Z 85/1.2 with it! It would be my first look for a Z camera.
My thing is AF, I can't shoot my portraits MF, I did a few times, a good and lucky example was a photo with the Planar 85 fully open where the subject, a casual visitor, was posing kinda steady for me but otherwise I need AF and I am ok with the D version on a D8xx body but won't use it in MF on a Z through an adapter, I am looking for a lighter alternative to the f1.2S on the Z bodies, the f1.8S as much as I do believe being sharp and well corrected (you can't tell on a Z as even the RAW files have some baked adjustments) is too expensive as a f18 lens, for less than a used one I could find an f1.4G which is probably same size or smaller and can be used on a D body too.
Anybody who got them, G and D, and can tell the difference and if worth going for a G?
Some Contax Planar 85/1.4 shots which I consider lucky ones given my MF abilities
