Canon Seranar 85...f/2 or f/1.9 ?

[DNG]

I am looking at getting one. but the f/1.9 is 75% more...
What are the differences. Boken?, Contrast?, Coating?
or maybe the 100mm f/2 ?

Thanks in advance..
If you one, could you post a image taken with either?
I can get either, but looking for the better deal that can deliver good sharpness.

 

[payasam]

I have the 85/2 and find it good. The 85/1.9 was made somewhat later and was described by the maker as a substantial improvement. Here are results from various Serenars, starting with the 85/2: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83239

 

[DNG]

Is the 85/1.9 worth $350.00 in good condition?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

No. That is overpriced, a Canon 85/1.8 would be worth that amount.

I picked up the 85/2 Serenar with a Leotax D-IV, all bought for less than what the Simlar 5cm F1.5 would go for. lenses were a mess, cleaned up nicely. The 85/2 runs as low as $100 (Mine had severe haze, I took it apart, cleaned it myself). EX condition at a camera show, well under $200.

I took the 85/2 out on the Leica M8 this weekend.

http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=222

ALL At F2:

Focus was spot-on, first try with the M8. I had to shim my 90/2 Summicron and 10.5cm F2.5 Nikkor for the M8. My fast 50's are all good on the M8, so it was the Summicron and Nikkor that were off, or just not optimized for wide-open work.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Pick up an 85/1.9 from KEH...they are inexpensive and very good. $350 is way too much. here are a few of my pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mabelsound/tags/canon85mmf19/

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Okay- looked at the Canon Museum. Mine looks like the original Type I 85/2, which makes sense from the sales slip that came with the Leotax.

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/s/data/50-85/s_sere_85_2v1.html

I do not see why the 85/1.9 would be more difficult to use. It is lighter, and is reputed to have higher contrast. Both are Planar formula 1-2-2-1 designs.

Next up on my M8 will be the Nikkor 8.5cm F2 in LTM, Sonnar formula lens. It is sharper, and has higher contrast. Higher contrast is not always a good thing with Digital. It was also under $300 in near mint condition. Much shorter and lighter than the Canon.

 

[DNG]

Pick up an 85/1.9 from KEH...they are inexpensive and very good. $350 is way too much. here are a few of my pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mabelsound/tags/canon85mmf19/

I can get a 85/2 for $200 +/- I could offer $175.00, I'll still need a 28/90 adapter

Anyone have a spare 85/1.9 they will be listing tonight?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

If you use the 85 on an M8, get the 50/75 adapter. The 75mm frames on the M8 are a closer match than the 90 frames. The 90 frames are a perfect match for the Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5. Works out better for me!

I would offer $175 for the 85/2 if it is in EX or better.

The 85/2 is a heavy, long lens. About like an original 90/2 Summicron. I have that one too. I have a lot of lenses. The Nikkor85/2 is "not light", but almost an inch shorter. Think of Luke Skywalker when you think of the Canon 85/2.

 

[ferider]

Is the 85/1.9 worth $350.00 in good condition?

There is a rare black version of this lens that is worth that much. The older heavy chrome version should be less than US 200, with hood.

Frankly, though, consider the Nikkor 85/2 instead (around US 300 in chrome). Maybe Wayne will sell you his ? 🙂

Roland.

 

[DNG]

Pulled the Trigger on a nice 85/2
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230442862140

No haze, fog, from the images. $175.00 + S/H..
Now to cross my fingers !!
Wish me good luck... but 100% feedback on over 1400 transactions, relates to a good eBayer.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Access to the elements on each side of the aperture is easy: the lens simply unscrews in mid-section. The glass on yours looks really clean, and no paint flakes. Mine had a lot of paint flakes, from the unpolsihed sections of glass. Came out easily, and used a Black Marking pen to reduce reflections, the original purpose of the paint.

I use the 48mm hood for the 50/1.4 with mine, and used a Canon Hot Mirror (IR Cut) filter with these shots. The filter was $20, used on Ebay. Hot Mirror Filters came out for the first generation DSLR's of the early 90s. Now they are popping up on Ebay.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have three Nikkor 8.5cm f2's: LTM, S-Mount, and Contax... I like that lens.

I have learned to appreciate the lower contrast of the Canon 85/2. This is a Portrait lens, and that feature is appealing.

 

[DNG]

I have three Nikkor 8.5cm f2's: LTM, S-Mount, and Contax... I like that lens.

I have learned to appreciate the lower contrast of the Canon 85/2. This is a Portrait lens, and that feature is appealing.

That's the reason I wanted one... good to hear the contrast is on the tamed side.

 

[Argenticien]

Access to the elements on each side of the aperture is easy: the lens simply unscrews in mid-section. The glass on yours looks really clean, and no paint flakes.

So, I was close (USD 3.50 short) to getting this one on eBay. Brian, for future reference if/when another one with paint flakes comes up, did you mean that those jeweler's screws on the sides of the lens barrel allow access, or how is it done? Also, and forgive my ignorance as I have never taken apart any lens: when reassembling it, would it require re-collimation using some sort of obscure piece of equipment to verify such? I'm trying to figure whether a de-flaking would be a job that a muggle like me could attempt. Thanks!
--Dave

 

[Sonnar Brian]

With the Canon 85/2 the section in front of the aperture simply unscrews. The paint that flakes can be easily cleaned out, and a permanent black marker used to refinish it.

Screws around the aperture ring are pretty straight forward. I would leave the focus mount alone!

 

[Argenticien]

With the Canon 85/2 the section in front of the aperture simply unscrews. The paint that flakes can be easily cleaned out, and a permanent black marker used to refinish it.

Thanks Brian. You are the master! If the fix is that easy, I'm doubly sad that I let this one go. Strange though, if the seller indeed is a 108-year-old brick-and-mortar store, you'd think they might have known how to fix it. They probably could have got USD 25 to 50 more for it if they had been able to say "small cleaning marks only" and not also "paint flakes in it." (At least they were honest about the latter.) Oh well, I should be looking for a wide-angle anyway, not portrait glass, for what is only my second LTM lens after the 50!
--Dave