best legacy 85mm prime lens.

Hi

I've dealt with KEH numerous times over about a decade, they are great to deal with and prices close to eBay (although I often buy on KEH and sell on eBay to fully cover costs + add a little to my kitty)

I'd say almost any of the older legacy lenses in that focal length will be outstanding, the differences invisible on a print to anyone except you.

https://www.keh.com/search/list?s=85mm&category[]=Fixed+Focal+Length+Lenses,+Mfg

If you don't already have any legacy lenses I'd probably put my money on either the Minolta or the FD as being bang for buck (NB, equal bang half the bucks) of almost anything else in that list.

As it happens I love the quality FD adapters from Ciecio7 (and I seem to have no problem attaching and detaching unlike some I read of here) and so I'd probably look at the FD85mm f1.8 for less than $300 on that list ... but if I didn't have my investment in FD already then that Konica would attract me.

 

Zuiko 85/2 View attachment 427871

 

You can rent a Canon FD 85mm f1.2 L super cheap from this place: http://www.rentacamera.com/lenses/canon-fd.html

If renting isn't an option, the 85/1.2 is way too expensive to buy, probably because it's famous. The FD 85 f1.8 OTOH is affordable. It's sharp stopped down and has a cinematic look. But I don't think it would cost a lot less than the Samyang, which is sharp wide open.

 

I am a fan if the C/Y Planar 85/1.4 but that will be much steeper also.

Stefan

 

If this decision is about saving money and also about 'the best', then go for the Rokinon. The best legacy 85's are more expensive than the Rokinon (granted, they're also built far better and don't fall apart as easily).

But here are some of the 'best.'

Canon FD 85mm f/1.2L
Zeiss (C/Y mount) Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (the Zeiss 85mm f/1.2 is even better, but is absurdly expensive)
Olympus 90mm f/2 Macro

 

to the OP I'll reply to this post:

and say that at one time I tried to standardize on OM mount lenses over FD mount ...my reasons were that the OM lenses are great (often better than the FD, but at least equal). The reason for this was twofold:

The physical direction you turn the aperture and the focus ring is consistent within a brand, knowing this and learning this really helps you get a feel for things and that muscle memory makes it easier to focus and set aperture quickly.

I can use the OM lenses on both my EOS and OM-1 cameras.

as it happens I really do prefer where the aperture ring is located on the OM lenses and also I often like to take out the pin from the OM adapter so that it never engages the iris. This allows me to focus quickly wide open; then the masterstroke of the OM design is that the Depth of Field preview button on the OM lenses is on the lens barrel. So I can then press and hold this as I take (allowing a moment to have it settle and get the light reading) and take knowing that I've focused open and taken stopped down.

The fact that my FD300f4 is such a beautiful lens (as is my FD50f1.4) makes this a difficult choice. I used to own also the OM 300mm f4.5 and while it was also an excellent optic, I found that the focus smoothness of the FD (being an Inner Focus mechanism) and the quick release holder made that my preferred choice in 300mm ... thus I've not rationalised as I'd like to have.


 

 

If you're buying this lens for video, why not consider the Rokinon Cine version. They take the ball bearings out of the aperture ring and it will turn smoothly and silently. I found that's important when shooting video in changing light. None of my legacy lenses are cine lenses, and my camera always gets a jolt when I turn the ring. Some testers also think the newer Rokinon 85 is a bit sharper too.

I have the older Rokinon 85 f1.4. My FD 85mm f1.8 was a lot cheaper. I prefer the smaller FD.

 

I like the 85 mm f/2.0 Zuiko (third from left) designed for the Olympus OM series.

E-520    ---    0mm    f/1.0    1/5s    ISO 800

DMC-G1    ---    0mm    f/1.0    1/1s    ISO 100

It is light weight, fast, of solid construction and excellent optical performance. I like it for catography using my 4/3 and m4/3 cameras.

E-520    ---    0mm    f/1.0    1/250s    ISO 400

E-520    ---    0mm    f/1.0    1/250s    ISO 100

 

I love my Nikkor 85mm/2.