The better lens for portraits

[navilluspm]

Hi all.

Right now I have a Contax system with 3 lenses, one of which is a sonnar 85mm 2.8 lens. My brother gave me his old Canon Elan II with two consumer zoom lenses and a Sigma macro 50mm

I have been looking at possibly selling my Sonnar in order to finance a Canon EF 85mm 1.8. From what I understand, this is a great lens. I like the fact that it is AF and 1.8, however I have read that CA and purple fringing could be a problem. I like my Sonnar alot, but the good reviews of the Canon are making me think about getting the Canon instead (I have a 2 year old son, so autofocus would be very nice, but isn't completely necessary.)

Is there anyone hear who has both and can comment on the two compared to eachother?

And one other question: Is purple fringing just a digital issue, or would I see it in my film shots as well?

I can not afford to have both lenses (and I don't think I will get much for the two consumer lenses if I sell them)

 

[hans voralberg]

I dont see much point in doing that unless you really need the extra stops. At 85 DOF will be pretty thin at 2.8 already. And the Sonnar handle better than the EF 85/1.8, the only thing I hate about my canon lens is that they feel like crap

 

[Lord Fluff]

I believe the fringing is in part a digital issue, but it is certainly common on the Canon system with the very fast lenses - the venerable 85L f1.2 and 35L f1.4 also show this issue under certain circumstances (bright highlights on water for example). How much it bothers you will depend on what you shoot. I have the 85/1.8 and it is a great little lens.

 

[kalokeri]

I used to have the Sonnar 2,8/85 with my Contax 139 and later RTS II way back in the eighties. I used the EF 1,8/85 for a little while next to my AF-Nikkor 1,8/85 - you see I do love this focal lenght - while I had a EOS 50E. So I have no direct comparison but at 2,8 both shall be equal quality.

The Sonnar is a lovely little lens, I changed for nearly the same reason you have in mind - Yashica/Kyocera didn´t offer AF and Nikon did. Still it was a hard desicion to part company with the Sonnar.

If you want to go digital with the Canon I suggest to take the step and sell the Sonnar. Quality wise the EF 1,8/85 shouldn´t be visible worse than the Sonnar.

Hope, you understand my thoughts.

Thomas

 

[shadowfox]

Wait... you're about to trade out a T* coated Zeiss lens for a Canon ???

ok, how much are you selling the Sonnar for? 😀

 

[navilluspm]

Wait... you're about to trade out a T* coated Zeiss lens for a Canon ???

ok, how much are you selling the Sonnar for? 😀

Thank you everybody for the advice.

Actually, I just sold it for $199.99 plus shipping. It was an AE version made in West Germany (most 85 Sonnars are from W. Germany). It was in very good shape - the glass was clean, aperture blades were snappy. There were a few scuff marks at the end of the barrell. Otherwise it was a great lens.

But, when I go out with my Contax, I found that it stayed in my pocket most of the time. I really liked my 35 and 50, and would not sell them unless it was to purchase another Zeiss 50 or 28. But I think I will get more usage out of the Canon 85 than the Sonnar 85. It is a lot easier to track a boy running around the house with fast AF. Who knows, maybe later on in life I can afford to have bother, and I will buy another copy again. 😱

 

[navilluspm]

Just for your interest, the person who bought the lens told me that he was going to attach it to a camera he just got from Germany which does stereo photography. He sent me a link of the camera. Stereo photography is not my cup of tea, but to each his own. Here is the link. It is an interesting camera.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170173925781

 

[szekiat]

you will do well with the canon 85. 95% of the 85 1.2L at a fraction of the price!

 

[shadowfox]

Just for your interest, the person who bought the lens told me that he was going to attach it to a camera he just got from Germany which does stereo photography. He sent me a link of the camera. Stereo photography is not my cup of tea, but to each his own. Here is the link. It is an interesting camera.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170173925781

That is interesting, this is two FX-D melded together... hmm. I guess it's cheaper than fusing two Contax 139Q's 🙂

I've seen the same technique done to Olympus XA, and maybe other cameras too.

Like you, I don't get the fascination either.

 

[Lord Fluff]

you will do well with the canon 85. 95% of the 85 1.2L at a fraction of the price!

I'd put it at about 60%, but ymmv. The 85L is a very very special lens and can do stuff no other lens this side of a Noctilux can. But it is hard to use with its slow focus and razor thin DOF. The 1.8 is a very good lens at a more sensible price, and is better as an all-rounder.