I noticed this morning that Ffordes Photographic in the UK has a AE and a MM version for sale second hand.
I have two of the MM versions, I purchased one and was absolutely blown away on my 1dsmk3/5d2 and when another one came up for sale I purchased it and stuck it away for the future( as you do)
Yeh! I know that f3.5 isn`t all that exciting but this lens is small and light and really does produce excellent results. What I`ve noticed is that using a micro adjust adapter I can honestly say that focus between the focus screen and live view is about as close as I`ve ever seen, so much so that I can reliably use the split image screen in the mk3 or the Eg-s screen in the 5d2 without having to check live view (which is very handy as I generally walk around hand held) and is something I`ve found difficult to achieve with most other lenses (other than my 21 and 25 that rely on DOF to get you where you want)
If you told me that some images were taken with a Leica M series 90 apo I`d believe it.
So there you have it! I just thought I`d share because some time ago I remember someone who was looking for just that lens and they don`t come up as often as other focal lengths (maybe because f3.5 wasn`t as popular back in the film days)
You can lead a horse to water but you can`t make it drink
Can I just say that I have no connection with Ffordes or any other dealer come to that but have purchased from them on a number times and found there description and return policy to be as good as it gets.( they will send anywhereBTW)
Just having a look there.
How can the 85/1.4 only be 10 pounds more expensive than the 85/2.8? o_O
(Or maybe I should ask the question the other way round.)
The 85 1.4 has a fair amount of dust on the rear element. It will probably be sent away for cleaning they told me earlier today. It was in good condition otherwise except for a small scratch in the coating on the edge so it might be a great deal for someone. Ffordes are great to deal with!
The MM are the later lenses, which support program and shutter priority modes. The other distinction is that Zeiss no longer will service AE lenses, only MM.
Here's an excellent discussion of Contax manual focus SLR lenses, including the difference between AE and MM, and other interesting stuff - thanks to Tom Shea.
No doubt about it, a brillliant lens, but here is my dilemna. I already own and love my ZE 85. I had planned to buy a 100 macro (CZ, the new Canon, or a Leica). Wouldn't buying a third lens in this focal length be just a tad excessive?
philber wrote:
No doubt about it, a brillliant lens, but here is my dilemna. I already own and love my ZE 85. I had planned to buy a 100 macro (CZ, the new Canon, or a Leica). Wouldn't buying a third lens in this focal length be just a tad excessive?
Only a tad, which means you should buy it right away, and then buy a few more! Near this FL, I have six lenses: Leitz Elmarit 90 version 1 and Leitz Elmar 90 3-element in M mount; CZ S85, P100, S100 and SP100 in C/Y mount. Besides their native bodies, these are usable on Canon EOS. Each has a completely different optical (and mechanical) character. The afore-mentioned Sonnar 100 is among my top three of 30 lenses in my stable.
Sonnar's are known to have a superb bokeh; the Sonnar 85 has one of the nicests I ever seen, it' s smooth like butter. The architecture of the two lenses is pretty the same. Look here
Dave might correct me if I'm wrong for the 100....
