Asahi Takumar Vs. Carl Zeiss

[Dom6663]

I like to shoot with older manual focus lenses. They are cheap (usually), sharp (98% of the time), and have great build quality. With christmas coming up I'm facing a dilemma, here are my options

Carl Zeiss Sonnar 150mm f4- $150

SMC Takumar 85mm f1.8 - $350

SMC Takumar 10mm f4 macro - $unkown (its a bid, guessing around $150-$200)

Anyway, the most lavish thing is the 85mm f1.8 of course, but that would take away from the rest of my 'self gifts' I really only have a budget of $200 for a new lens, without tapping into my other new things!

Is the 85mm f1.8 worth it? Or should I stick with one of the other two?

 

[unpopular]

If the f/4 is ok with you, i'd go with the CZJ Sonnar. The Tak is very fast, but these older, fast lenses are pretty gooey wide open, and I wouldn't be surprised if you'd end up stopping down to f/4 most of the time anyway.

Maybe not though.

 

[Dom6663]

Well with the f/4 sonnar id be stopping down to 5.6 or so. And the 85mm f1.8 is reasonably sharp bellow f2.8 and sharp at f4. its the best smc tak made

 

[raphaelaaron]

those takumar lenses hold up pretty well. my vote would be for the 85 f1.8

 

[usayit]

The SMC 85mm f/1.8 is among one of the most sought after lenses for Takumars. That would be my choice but I am biased... I collect takumars and the 85mm is on my short list.

 

[unpopular]

I get fairly good results with my CZJ 50/2.8 Red T 1Q Tessar wide open. Though that's prob not a very good comparison.

If you won't get good results on the CZJ at f:4, the Tak is deff the way to go. f:5.6 is WAY too slow for me.

 

[Derrel]

What are you shooting these lenses on?? If you want a good 85 with a wonderful "roundness" to the background and defocused areas, the "old" Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 H, or the slightly newer H.C. is a good lens that adapts easily to Canon. These were all-metal, and built solidly. I love the old Super Takumar-era lenses myself. Such handsome design!

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/telephoto/85mm.htm

KEH has an ugly one for $139. Bargain ones are around $225.

 

[Dom6663]

Portraits of course, not much else you can do with an 85mm manual focus. And if I had to choose between a tak and a nikkor, not because its a nikkor, id still chose a tak. If I assemble a collection of tak and decide one day to sell them, selling them as a set will be easy. Plus the 85mm f1.8 will only go up in value