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Does anyone use the Zeiss Sonnar T 85/2.8 lens?

I'm a new Contax user. I Only just bought a ST, and then a 25mm f/2.8 lens. I just bought a very nice condition 85mm f/2.8 made in West Germany.

In the past I've owned and used the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 D, & the 135mm f/2 AIS. So I'm excited to see how the Zeiss compares. Especially since it's a fraction of the cost. I had seen some photos taken with the 2.8 that impressed me so much I felt I would need to give it a try. I thought it was intersting that many Contax users own and use both of the 85mm lens. When I owned the Nikon 85mm f/1.4D, I would never have wanted the 1.8 version also. I think that very fact speaks volumns about the Sonnar 85mm f/2.8

I also have to say I find this forum to be incredibly helpful, and friendly. No "undue" personal attacks and flames. Only "brother" photographers trying to help each other. Well done
 
I'm curious about this lens too. I don't have it. Does anyone have any pics posted online from this lens? If using for a portrait outdoors and your subject is filling the frame (head and shoulders - focussed on subjects eyes) but you have distant foliage in the background (maybe 20 feet, or 40 feet behind the subject)... using it at f2.8, what does the out of focus foliage look like? I keep wondering about this - but haven't seen any images. -Lynn L.
 
FWIW .... My buddy who helps me run the Contax Postal Club had the 85/2.8. He says it appeared to give the sharpest results of all his Zeiss lenses (and he had quite a few). His next favourite was the 18mm!

I had the 85/1.4, and at the same aperture and similar shooting conditions, (we often shot similar/same shots during Club Meetings) I'd have to agree with him that his lens often seemed to have the edge on my 1.4. Just a little!

I think it was this mysterious Bokeh bloke who kept appearing in the shots
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Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but .... he once showed me a shot from his 18mm without saying what it was taken with .... I asked him if it was taken with the 50/1.4? ..... No! Was it the 35/2.8? .... No! Surely not the 28/2.8? ..... I was stunned when the answer was revealed!

Cheers, Bob.
 
Very good info, Bob. Yeah, that "Bokeh-bloke" is a popular guy. ;) That comparison between the 1.4 and the 2.8 is something I've heard before. Although I understand you and others say the difference in sharpness is VERY minimal, I wonder if that smidge of less sharpness is simply the price one must pay for having the extreme speed while keeping to a price reasonable.

What is the going price for a nice used 85/2.8 and 85/1.4?

I've spent the last few weeks playing with a Nikon HC Auto 85/1.8 AI'd by Nikon. I'm not a Nikon shooter but this looked like a fun lens. I'll probably sell the Nikon to finance a different 85 from Canon or Zeiss. (or maybe even the Canon 100 macro)

Thanks -Lynn
 
Hi Lynn,

a friend of my parents who has worked for Zeiss nearly his whole life as a spacialist for optics preferred the 2.8/85 to the 1.4/85 (money didn't count for him) - if that says enough for you ?

Kind regards

Paul
 
HOW TO USE SONNAR 85 MM F2,8 ?

I have just find a sonnar 85 F 2,8 ae lens for 100 Euros
I Like portaiture photos (Childrens, pets ...)
Can I use this lens at F 2,8 or must i go to F4 ?to get sharp pictures ?
How is the Bokeh at F 2,8 for the underground ?
Should i try to find Planar 85 F 1,4 to use at F 2 to have better portaits of my childs ?
Sorry for my bad english
Regards for advice _
 
Hi Lynn,
I have a German 85 f2.8 fairly recently acquired. I haven't used it much yet but love what I have seen of it so far. I have it on my Aria at the moment. It is very handy and compact compared to the f1.4 I had some years ago.
John
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Well, I guess advice would indicate I should try the lens. I looked on closed ebay auctions and they seem to go for between US$130 and $180. Now to see if I can find a clean one
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I only need an AE version, so maybe that offers even a bit more savings. Thanks all.

-Lynn PS: By the way, Welcome to the group Rob - I should have said that earlier!
 
I gave the 85mm FL a great deal of thought, but decided it was overly close to my favorite FL of 50mm. That lead to my purchase of the Planar 100/2, a lens both heavy in weight and stellar wide open. For a lighter carry, I just scored the (discontinued) Sonnar 100/3.5 off EBay for under $300. Consider this route as an alternative to the P85/S85 pairing.
 
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