Fast 85mm/90mm

[aoresteen]

I have decided to get a faster 90mm/85mm for use with my M3. The lenses I'm looking at are the Canon 85mm f/1.8 black, Leica 90mm Summicron f/2 non-asph, and maybe the Canon 85mm f/1.5 black.

I have the Leica 90mm f/2.8 Tele-Elmarit-M so the new one will be shot at f/2 or wider. Situation is theater lighting with ISO 400 B&W film (I do not 'push' film).

So if you have a choice of the 3 lenses, which one would you choose?

Note:

I have an Olympus OM 85mm f/2 and 135mm f/2 but even my OM1 and OM2 bodies are 'too noisy' for some situtuations.

Maybe I should just blimp the OM bodies.

Thanks!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Canon 85/1.8 is on the "uncommon" side, expect to pay a premium for it. The Cano 85/1.5 typically sells for less. The F1.8 is going to be sharper, but the 85/1.5 produces some good results as shown by RFF members.

My favorite in this range is the Nikkor 8.5cm f2 in LTM. Is there a reason that you did not consider it?

 

[Nokton48]

I use the Canon 85mm F1.5 alot (see my avatar) and I'd recommend it. Here's a nice one:

http://www.keh.com/camera/Canon-Rangefinder-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-CR06009038571K?r=FE

I also have the 90mm F2 Summicron V1, which I also like, but nothing else touches the Canon.

 

[aoresteen]

Brian,

I had a chrome 85 f/2 in LTM about 6 years ago and sold it to pay for the 90mm f/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. Fine lens but my chome 85mm f/1.9 Canon was better (I had the Canon in the early 80's but dropped it. Total loss!). I'd consider the last black version of the 85mm f/2 Nikkor but the collectors have driven the prices way too high. So I guess I should have added it to the list.


Noton48,

Thanks fior the heads up on the KEH 85 f/1.5. At 1.5 is it soft?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Canon is a Planar, the Nikkor is a Sonnr.

I will have to look for an 85/1.9, I have the Canon 85/2 and like it. The Nikkor is sharper wide-open than the Canon 85/2.

It has been a while since a Black 85/2 nikkor popped up here.

 

[dexdog]

Brian, I have a chrome 85/1.9 that I would be glad to let you play with, free of charge. Just send it back when you are done.

 

[sanmich]

As far as I can tell, the canon/serenar f1.9/f/2 is the lowest price, decent IQ, fast 85mm. Go cheaper, and there is only the russian roulette, and in this case, the J9 cannot be adjusted to focus accurately for far and close focus (thanks Brian for the Info!).

The chrome Canon is very heavy, though.
I have a black 1.9 that I hardly use but I'm happy to have it for the occasional use. The weight and handling are very nice.

 

[raid]

I used to own a Canon 85/1.9 which I liked a lot. It is heavy and the rotating focus throw is very long. Else, it is a bargain for such a well built and sharp lens.

 

[ferider]

Not sure what your budget is. If you want sharp, small and beautiful rendering, get either the Nikkor 85/2 or the Summicron 90/2 v3.

 

[sanmich]

... or the Summicron 90/2 v3.

That would be the one known as the pre-Asph, right?

 

[raid]

The Canon 100/2 is not cheap. A Canon 85/1.9 usually costs half as much (roughly)

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Brian, I have a chrome 85/1.9 that I would be glad to let you play with, free of charge. Just send it back when you are done.

Pm Sent!

I have the Nikkor 85/2, Canon 85/2, Summicron V1 9cm F2, 90/2.8 thin TE, 9cm f4 coll. Elmar, and uncoated 9cm f4 Elmar. have not used the uncoated on the M8 yet.

 

[ferider]

That would be the one known as the pre-Asph, right?

Yes, the latest pre-asph with yellow 90 on the barrel. Like this:

(Summicron in the middle, Nikkor on the left).

I think Ari is selling a chrome Nikkor in the classifieds.

 

[sanmich]

Yes, the latest pre-asph with yellow 90 on the barrel. Like this:

(Summicron in the middle, Nikkor on the left).

I think Ari is selling a chrome Nikkor in the classifieds.

Roland,

how do you like the cron?
any insight on how it compares to other 85/90mm f/2 ?
I sounds like a very good lens for its current used rates.

 

[furcafe]

Ditto. As we all know, Sonnars have their own look, particularly wide-open, so that may have an effect on your decision.

My personal experience is limited to the 85/2 Nikkor (& Zeiss Sonnar predecessors), the 100/2 Canon (another Sonnar, perhaps?), the 85/1.8 Canon, & the 105/2.5 Nikkor.

The Canon is a Planar, the Nikkor is a Sonnr.

 

[sanmich]

This might be of some interest:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...781-please-advise-my-90mm-summicron-woes.html

 

[gm13]

I used to own a Canon 85/1.9 which I liked a lot. It is heavy and the rotating focus throw is very long. Else, it is a bargain for such a well built and sharp lens.

Then I adopted it from Raid. It is heavy, but beautifully built, pretty sharp and contrasty also. I'll try to dig up some pics from it and post later.

 

[aoresteen]

Olympus OM 135mm f/2, is this a misprint? I've been looking for such a third party lens as I've never seen/heard of such from Olympus.

Sharp eyes JSU and a good memory!

Yes there is such a beast. It's a Soligor C/D 135mm f/2. Dates from the late 70's. I've had two. The first one I had was an M42 Pentax Screw month. Sold it 15 years ago and regretted it. Spent a long time looking for one in OM mount and when it popped up on eBay 4 years ago I bought it.

It is a good lens but you need a decent lens hood with it. I use the deep shade from the Soligor 500mm f/8 Mirror lens (77mm). Works just fine.

Another lens is the Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3. I have never used one it is reported to very good as well but it is a bit slower.

I also have the Soligor C/D 200mm f/2.8 in OM mount and it is also a good lens. I will never sell off these two "third party' leneses!

 

[ferider]

Roland,

how do you like the cron?
any insight on how it compares to other 85/90mm f/2 ?
I sounds like a very good lens for its current used rates.

It performs beautifully, Michael, in a way one of the best Leica lens deals out there at the moment. The photos I get are indistinguishable from 75/1.4 Photos (except for speed and focal length, of course). Usable for both portraits and landscapes. Checkout the 90 Summicron thread, I have posted several example shots there.

The Nikkor 85/2 has a bit more of a classic Sonnar signature. Bokeh less regular, a little softer wide open.

Roland.

 

[Nokton48]

Nokton48,

Thanks fior the heads up on the KEH 85 f/1.5. At 1.5 is it soft?

It's -sharp- enough for my uses. I like the "look" it provides, it "vaporizes" the background. There's a pretty big difference between an F2ish lens and an F1.5 you will find. Here's some of my stuff, along with others, on the Canon 85mm F1.5 flickr site. Take a look and decide for yourself.

http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=CANON+85MM+F1.5