Canon 85mm f/1.5 LTM vs Nikkor 85mm f/2.0

If Zack Snyder sees this, he'll be using the Canon 85/1.5 in the sequel to the zombie movie "Army of the Dead." (yes, there will be a sequel).

Jim B.

I sold my lens, and I am content with what I sold it for. Film makers will most likely insert the lens into an AF capable housing. Then the lens can easily be focused.

A less expensive alternative is to use the "black sheep of the 1.5 family", the Canon 50/1.5. It is cheap.
 
I had for many years the Canon 1.5 trio: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. I used the 35/1.5 more than the other two lenses because I have many 50mm lenses and I use less often a 85mm lens on a RF camera.

Canon 85/1.5 at JP:

Canon85-1.5--4-X3.jpg





Canon85-1.5--8-X3.jpg
 
There are many other 35mm lenses out there.
The Canon 35/2.8 is also vintage.
I have the Canon 35/1.5. 35/1.8. 35/2. 35/2.8.
 
I end up using my LTM 35/1.7 Asph Ultron more than any other 35 I own. For the 85- use the Nikkor more than any other in that range. I also have the Minolta Chiyoko 85/2.8 which is very good. I use the Nikkor 8.5cm F2 much more than the Canon 85/1.5.

On the Canon 85/1.5: The front element protrudes, use a step-up ring to help clear the front element when using most filters. The Canon filters for these lenses have the glass at the end of the filter ring.

The Canon 85/1.8 is uncommon, compact, sharp. HOWEVER- I know several had problems with focus agreeing with the RF cam. One I looked at, refused to agree across range. The focal length did not agree with the RF Cam, could not get it to agree by just shimming the lens.
 
I also use a Summicron 35/2 V1 and its LLL replica. Then there is the Zeiss 35/2 ZM and Nikon 35/1.8 ltm. I have enough 35mm lenses.
 
I just counted my RF 35s, Apparently I have 7 of these things. Some are Canon. What I WANT is the 35/1.5 because the images have a quality that I like. Of my current crop of 35s (in RF) I most use the Biogon 35/2, the Summaron 35/2.8 (truly lovely!), and my underappreciated CV 35/1.4. The others come out to play every now and then. Well, the little J-12 hasn't been out for years now -- a little sad. There's no 35/1.8 or 35/1.5 of any kind (in RF) in the cupboard.

I hate the zombies! I have limited lens funds and just can't satisfy a craving for 35/1.5 along with all the others on my wish list. In fact, my wife says I can't satisfy the craving for a 35/1.5 if nothing else was involved 😎. My wishlist of lenses (don't we all have one of those) is off topic but it doesn't (practically) include the Canon 35/1.5. I'm always on the lookout for unexpected opportunities though... it's happened before.

Now, that Canon 85/1.5 is (right or wrong) simply not on my list of desired lenses. I have lenses in that FL that make me happy, and if I were to grab another I think it would be a 75mm.
Having said that, I wouldn't mind the Nikkor 85/2. I think Brian may be partly to blame for that.
 
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