There are a lot of beautiful images on this thread. You are all very talented. While paging thru, it seems as though there isn't much love for the Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 Is that true? If so, is it due more to the focal length or maybe a preference for a different version of 85.
maybe focal length. I used 50mm a lot, on a crop body, which is similar to 85, and I'm sick of that focal length. I like 35mm and 100 or 135mm. I can carry only two Z lenses, so something tele and something standard/wider. Otus 35 and 120 Macro Planar APO would be all for me. Maybe 100MP gets in the way, so people buy that lens instead of 85. Maybe price/performance ratio.
85's focus shift ( this might have scared people away in the early days ) + recent introduction of Otus 85 + 85 tends to be considered as 'portrait' specific + existence of 100MP ( potential duplicate ), and even worse the introduction of 135. All of these, might have played some role. Philber had wonderful architecture shot, as well as Denoir, in the early pages ( 2 - 300s ?? ), and I think Lieutenant Z showcase 85mm quite beautifully. Every now and then, we see some other wonderful example of 85. I myself, do not own one, due more to duplicate issue ( I have two other lenses that covers that focal length ), so although the lens is in my list, it is towards the end of the list.
However, that does not mean I do not like the rendition I see here. In fact, I always loved the beautiful images it creates. It has some magical look to it, not dissimilar to that of 50 1.4 .
mysteries.. I ask myself why no one talks about colour rendition of D800/10, why no one asks for better colours. Megapixels, noise in shadow is all everyone talks about. Colour rendition .. .nah. Luckily Zeiss has amazing palette, and sigma art does not. Maybe it is all about money, the more expensive glass/material, the better. I was surprised about 85, it has really nice look. As for the focus, distagon 1.4/35 was impossible to focus, unless you change your mindset, all you need is smaller fstop and focus to 3m, or learn how to see the distance (by eye). Shoot and judge distance, 35 then comes very accurate. Even with f5.6, it has more blur than it should.
akul wrote:
85's focus shift ( this might have scared people away in the early days ) + recent introduction of Otus 85 + 85 tends to be considered as 'portrait' specific + existence of 100MP ( potential duplicate ), and even worse the introduction of 135. All of these, might have played some role. Philber had wonderful architecture shot, as well as Denoir, in the early pages ( 2 - 300s ?? ), and I think Lieutenant Z showcase 85mm quite beautifully. Every now and then, we see some other wonderful example of 85. I myself, do not own one, due more to duplicate issue ( I have two other lenses that covers that focal length ), so although the lens is in my list, it is towards the end of the list.
However, that does not mean I do not like the rendition I see here. In fact, I always loved the beautiful images it creates. It has some magical look to it, not dissimilar to that of 50 1.4 . ...Show more →
I recently bought some vintage manual focus Nikkors in 105mm and 135mm to see if I could regain my MF skills seeing as how I haven't done that for over 30 years. Everything went well, so I will be ordering the Zeiss 135 APO, but I also need the 85 focal length for some of the shooting that I do. 105 is a little too long and the 50 a tad too short for my taste in this particular venue ( shooting musicians playing in dimly lit jazz clubs ). So I'm trying to find the best lens possible for this. I need it to be fast glass, with excellent color, detail, and smooth bokeh. The musicians would be as close as 10 to 12 feet at times.
I will try and find some of the shots from the gentlemen you mentioned here. Thank you!
tccin3d wrote:
maybe focal length. I used 50mm a lot, on a crop body, which is similar to 85, and I'm sick of that focal length. I like 35mm and 100 or 135mm. I can carry only two Z lenses, so something tele and something standard/wider. Otus 35 and 120 Macro Planar APO would be all for me. Maybe 100MP gets in the way, so people buy that lens instead of 85. Maybe price/performance ratio.
You're probably right about the 100MP getting in the way. I will be ordering the 135 APO soon, but I also need an 85 FL as the 105 Nikkor that I currently have is just a tad too long in some of my venues that I shoot at.
I'm just trying to figure out which brand of 85mm would be the best, without paying the price of the Otus.
Well jazz clubs will not show what otus can do.. noise will destroy resolution. bad lighting will destroy colors. So 85 planar sounds perfect, used even better.
There is a set of printing nikkors on ebay selling right now. also around 100mm.
Ronny !!! - That is right, I knew I was missing at least a few major contributors showcasing 85 1.4 planar, but couldn't remember who. Of course it was you !
No Regrets wrote:
I recently bought some vintage manual focus Nikkors in 105mm and 135mm to see if I could regain my MF skills seeing as how I haven't done that for over 30 years. Everything went well, so I will be ordering the Zeiss 135 APO, but I also need the 85 focal length for some of the shooting that I do. 105 is a little too long and the 50 a tad too short for my taste in this particular venue ( shooting musicians playing in dimly lit jazz clubs ). So I'm trying to find the best lens possible for this. I need it to be fast glass, with excellent color, detail, and smooth bokeh. The musicians would be as close as 10 to 12 feet at times.
I will try and find some of the shots from the gentlemen you mentioned here. Thank you!
akul wrote:
Ronny !!! - That is right, I knew I was missing at least a few major contributors showcasing 85 1.4 planar, but couldn't remember who. Of course it was you !
Good luck witih your lens search, and if it is planar 85, do come back and post your results here along with 135 APO shots !
Thank you akul for well wishes as well as your invite to return and post.
No Regrets
