85mm f/2?

[aoresteen]

I need (er, want!) an 85mm f/2 lens for rangefinder use. I use both Leica and Contax II so here are my choices:

1. 85mm f/2 Sonnar ZM - seems to be AWOL and costs a lot.

2. 90mm f/2 Summicron M - let's say a 1985 or earlier version

3. 85mm f/2 chrome Canon LTM - Serenar or later

4. 85mm f/2 black Canon LTM

5. 85mm f/2 chrome Nikkor LTM

6. 85mm f/2 black Nikkor LTM

7. 85mm f/2 crome Nikkor 'C' for the Contax

8. 85mm f/2 black Nikkor 'C' for the Contax

9. 85mm f/2 Sonnar for Contax West German post-war.

I don't want any pre-war lenses - the 50's on is fine for me. I am leary of the Jena Sonnars as I don't know them and fakes abound.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Nikkor 'C' in black. How does it compare to a Post War Sonnar?


How do I identify a post war 85mm Sonnar that is West German?

Thanks!

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,
you forgot the Russian sonnar clone 85/2.0. very cheap and still a nice performer.

cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[ferider]

Among your list I like the black 85/2 nikkor and v3 90/2 best.

The Nikkor has more resolution than the Sonnar and slightly less
pleasant bokeh wide open. All gone at f2.8 though.

You should also consider the Nikkor 105/2.5 which came both
in LTM and C mount.

Roland.

 

[Pherdinand]

there's a summicron 90/2 right now in the classifieds.
I got a similar one lately, and while it is a big piece of lens, i like it. Seems its focus is off a bit, but what is sharp it is very sharp, and what is oof it looks nice too.

 

[xayraa33]

the 85/f2 Nikkor is as good as the 85mm Zeiss lens, both are a Sonnar design.
West German Zeiss lenses will say, Zeiss Opton , or Carl Zeiss with NO "Jena " anywhere in the name.
they are more heavily chromed than the DDR poducts.

 

[aoresteen]

Thanks!

Michiel, I left off the Russian 85mm as my understanding is that that quality varies a lot.

Roland, I have a 105 Nikkor 2.5 'C' which I like a lot. I also have a 90mm f/2.8 Tele-Elmarit which is also a fine lens. I want an f/2 version to go with 28mm Ultron 1.9 & 50mm Plannar f/2.

xayraa33, I'm leaning toward the Nikkor.

I'll take a look at the 90 Summicron in the classified.

Thanks All!

 

[furcafe]

All fine choices, but what about the Canon RF 85/1.8 & 100/2?

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/s/data/50-85/s_85_18.html

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/s/data/100-1000/s_100_2.html

Neither is cheap, & both are pretty big, but are great performers & still in the same price range as most of the other lenses on your list.

I need (er, want!) an 85mm f/2 lens for rangefinder use. I use both Leica and Contax II so here are my choices:

1. 85mm f/2 Sonnar ZM - seems to be AWOL and costs a lot.

2. 90mm f/2 Summicron M - let's say a 1985 or earlier version

3. 85mm f/2 chrome Canon LTM - Serenar or later

4. 85mm f/2 black Canon LTM

5. 85mm f/2 chrome Nikkor LTM

6. 85mm f/2 black Nikkor LTM

7. 85mm f/2 crome Nikkor 'C' for the Contax

8. 85mm f/2 black Nikkor 'C' for the Contax

9. 85mm f/2 Sonnar for Contax West German post-war.

I don't want any pre-war lenses - the 50's on is fine for me. I am leary of the Jena Sonnars as I don't know them and fakes abound.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Nikkor 'C' in black. How does it compare to a Post War Sonnar?


How do I identify a post war 85mm Sonnar that is West German?

Thanks!

 

[RObert Budding]

Another for your list: the Zeiss Jena 85/2 later version lens is stunning - very sharp with superb bokeh. It is coated so it also works well with color films. The lens barrel is alloy, however, so it's difficult to find a nice one as they were often heavily used.

 

[Mazurka]

How to avoid Sonnar fakes

I'd get a pre-ASPH Cron or a chrome LTM Nikkor -- the black one is priced for the collectors.