Nikkor 85/2

[corazon]

I have been reading up on this lens lately, as I am interested in procuring a fast short tele-photo lens for concert photography.

This is one of the few lenses I am considering. What I want to know is how much does the chrome version weigh vs. the black version.

I know chrome is heavier and I know the black one is more rare thus lots more pricey. I want to know just how heavy the 'heavy' chrome one is to help me choose between this and my other options. (If it's the weight isn't too much for me, this lens is looking mighty good. It's the cheapest I have seen of late.)

Thank you all.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I only have the chrome versions- so it's hard to judge. Among the all-chrome lenses, those with F32 on them, as opposed to aperture stopping at F16, are lighter. A Black lens in LTM is bound to be very rare, and go for ~3x of the chrome version. Personally, I think the NKJ chrome 8.5cm f2 is well balanced on my Canon 7 and Canon P. I use a 9cm F2 chrome Summicron on the M3. It is big and heavy compared with the Nikkor. I have an early 8.5cm F2 lens in Nikon S-Mount. The brass is thicker, and it does weigh more.

 

[noimmunity]

Long throw

Long throw

I have the chrome Nikkor and I love the way it renders. Here is a photo of Cookie, lead singer of Bearbabes (熊寶貝的餅乾), taken with the LTM Nikkor 85 on Fuji Natura.

But it has a long throw, and I've found that for things like concerts it's less than ideal. The M-Hex 90 is much better in that regard, and usually goes for around US$400.

 

[corazon]

But it has a long throw, and I've found that for things like concerts it's less than ideal. The M-Hex 90 is much better in that regard, and usually goes for around US$400.

I agree about the long throw. I have a Canon FL 55/1.2 modified to fit Leica and it's definitely long on throw. I am in the market for a TE 90/2.8. I just thought it was slow when using 400 ISO, but should work fine with 800 ISO.

I hear nothing but good things about the M-Hex 90, though it is much harder to find than a TE 90/2.8.

So what do you use most for concerts? The M-Hex or have you just gotten used to the Nikkor now ?

 

[corazon]

I only have the chrome versions- so it's hard to judge. Among the all-chrome lenses, those with F32 on them, as opposed to aperture stopping at F16, are lighter. A Black lens in LTM is bound to be very rare, and go for ~3x of the chrome version. Personally, I think the NKJ chrome 8.5cm f2 is well balanced on my Canon 7 and Canon P. I use a 9cm F2 chrome Summicron on the M3. It is big and heavy compared with the Nikkor. I have an early 8.5cm F2 lens in Nikon S-Mount. The brass is thicker, and it does weigh more.

I know the 90/2 Summicron that came out with the M4-P weighs 470g, but it sounds like you're talking about an earlier version?

Which chrome version of the Nikkor 85/2 do you have? How much does it weigh?

 

[xayraa33]

another nice lens that is a bit longer but lighter in weight than the Nikkor 85/f2, is the black Canon 85/f1.9

 

[corazon]

Yeah, what I have my eye on is:
Summicron 90/2
Canon RF 85/1.8
Canon RF 100/2
and the Nikkor 85/2.

I didn't know the Canon 85/1.9 came in black. Anyhow, on the Canon Camera Museum v1 weighs in at 605, and v2 at 410g. Which one are you referring to?

I don't have a problem with ~450g. The Canon 100/2 weighing in at 515g is a little more weight than I'd like, but at the right price I would snap it up. I like the extra half stop advantage of the Canon 85/1.8, but it all comes down to the deal I get. For the right price, any of them would suit me well.

I know the second version of the Summicron 90/2 is most commonly the least expensive and is larger. Do you know how much that one weighs in at? The version that came out around the time of the M4-P is 470g.

 

[xayraa33]

I have both , the Canon 85/1.9 in chrome and in black.
I also have the Nikkor 85/2 in chrome.
the black Canon 85/1.9 is the lightest of all three.

 

[back alley]

would the rokkor 90/4 be too slow?

it sure is small & light.

 

[splitimageview]

I weighed my Nikkor 85/2 with LTM adapter (no hood or filter) and it was approx. 14 oz on a cheap scale, so probl +/- 1 oz. The throw is long but if you are shooting concerts you probl. will be focusing within a much shorter range, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. It is very nice wide open...

 

[corazon]

Nikkor 85/2 - under $300 a good price worn with good glass?

 

[splitimageview]

Mine was 300 with perfect glass and mechanics and average barrel cosmetic condition (with adapter.) Bought from RFF member.

 

[corazon]

digitalintrigue - perfect! so that's about 400g give or take a few. not bad at all. I presume it's one of the one's that go to f32?

briansweeney - that tidbit about identifying the weight difference via f-stop helped a lot.

I think I just may go with the Nikkor.. Eeep. I've never had anything Nikon before; I'm a Canon girl...

 

[splitimageview]

Corazon, yes, f/32. Be careful, Nikkor can be addictive. 😉

 

[raid]

I prefer the Nikkor 105cm/2.5 over the Nikkor 85mm/2.
It is a superb lens versus a superb lens.
Tough choice ....

 

[corazon]

Tough choice indeed. I've been looking for, for a while and am quite certain I will, obtain a TE 90/2.8 in the next week or so. I'm still considering the other options I noted above.

I hear wide open the Nikkor 85/2 is stellar. Anyone have comments on how the Canon 85/1.8 and the Summicron (not AA) 90/2 perform wide open and in general?

I realize I can't really go wrong with any of these options.
I'm hesitating on the Nikkor,
the Canon is too rare
and the Summicron would fit my frameline perfectly..

 

[ferider]

The last non-AA Summicron (v3) is better than the Nikkor in corner performance, shorter min. focus, shorter throw.
Really a stellar lens. If you have it in your budget (around US 650-700), I very
much recommend it (and I use the Nikkor 85/2, too).

Roland.

 

[xayraa33]

here is the not so common black Canon 85/f1.9 on my Canon L1

 

[xayraa33]

and a well used but with great optics, a Nikkor 85/f2 on a not so common Canon IIF2

 

[xayraa33]

and last, my big bombo, the heavy EP marked chrome Canon 85/f1.9 which I bought in 1984, mounted on a winder equipped Canon IVSb2 work horse.