Comparing compact 85mm lenses

After obtaining a new lens I enjoy making a few quick comparisons with what I already own, so that I can determine the strengths and weaknesses of each optic. These test are not meant to be scientific, so please take with a grain of salt. Sample variation may have a large bearing on the results. 

In this article I will compare three compact 85mm (or thereabouts) lenses available (from Olympus, Carl Zeiss, and Pentax) with the native Panasonic Lumix counterpart. I find this focal length particularly useful for gig photography, since in the small places I frequent, anything longer would put people between myself and the subject on stage. Anything shorter won't have the reach needed to isolate a performer.

The banana as post-symbolic currency

This is a brief response to the hullaballoo concerning a duct-taped banana. Naive knee-jerk responses have been anticipated by both artist and buyer, both aware of their roles in this game of post-symbolic trade. 

Optical design of the Olympus Zuiko 85mm

 

In my previous articles I introduced the Olympus Zuiko 85mm and discussed the thorny problem of variants. This post will conduct a thorough examination of the optical formulas that Olympus deployed and their relationship to the classic Ernostar and Sonnar designs.

Olympus Zuiko 85mm variants

In my last article I introduced the Olympus Zuiko 85mm and compared its properties to my other two 85mm lenses. In my next article I will describe the optical formulas employed by Olympus.

In this post I'll explore a mystery that haunts this lens. Various writers claim that there are from two to four different variants. They don't agree on the particulars beyond the important fact that there were two different optical designs. Early lenses used 6 elements in 4 groups while later lenses used 5 elements in 4 groups. Photographers enjoy the original for its classic soft portraiture and claim the latter has superior sharpness and aberration correction. 

My goal is to sort out the confusion. Further information or corrections are welcome!

Olympus OM 85mm lens: introduction

 

Olympus launched their range of single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras with the M-1 in July 1972. The next year this camera was renamed the OM-1, the initials apparently standing for Olympus Maitani, honouring chief designer Yoshihisa Maitani (1933-2009). So began the famed OM System.

This article provides information on the Olympus Zuiko 85mm. The second article will examine the mystery of the different variants. I've now finished a third article that dives into the optical design.

Codec limitations of DaVinci Resolve: HEVC, 10-bit, and RAW

Note: This information has been greatly expanded from my previous article on Windows video support.

Introduction

Like any application DaVinci Resolve has limitations, especially in the free version. Some authors claim that either Microsoft Windows or Resolve (free) don’t support 10-bit video. But this is false. The limitations are more particular than such blanket statements. Read on for solutions.

Asahi Takumar and Pentax normal lenses

My interest in Pentax lenses should be obvious considering the articles on this website. One of the reasons I went down the rabbit hole of lens design history was to discover how the numerous lenses released by Asahi Optical related together over time. This article compiles the results of that research.

The format is original even if the lens data is available in numerous places. Read on to get a spreadsheet organised chronologically by lens family and optical design. 

Updated 26 November 2024 to include some lens diagrams.

Photography and Lens Design SERIES

This series of articles provides historical information on lens design for cameras, specifically those using 135 film, but also their SLR and DSLR offspring. Today's mirrorless camera systems allow us to adapt almost any lens from the history of photography. So there has been renewed interest in how families of lenses are related in their optical design.

This series is for readers interested in learning the basics without being overwhelmed by technicalities and mathematics. Here you will find a solid basis for any further readings.

Lens Design Glossary

This article provides a glossary of useful terms, written in such a way as to flow from one concept to the next. The first section covers basic lens terminology. The second section provides capsule descriptions of the most common lens aberrations, defects that the lens designer struggles to overcome.

In the interest of time I haven't provided illustrations. Please consult other sources after familiarising yourself with this primer.

Lens Design References

This article will provide further reading for those interested in pursuing the subject further.

Development of Symmetrical Lenses

This article will outline the development of symmetrical lens designs conventionally described as double Gauss. These include the Zeiss Planar, Lee Opic, and Biotar, as well as the vast majority of normal lenses made from 1896 to the end of the twentieth century. It's not too much to claim this innovation as the most important in lens design for camera systems.

In the appendix “Lenses and Their Makers” Cox lists many symmetrical lenses that were on the market at the time. Pages 484-97 of his book (see my references) contain no fewer than 64 different lens diagrams. But if we restrict the survey to 35mm film cameras, only four of the designs were used by more than one lens. That's remarkable consistency!

Camera Lenses of the Nineteenth Century

 

This article will outline a brief history of early lens design, starting with the simplest 2 element topologies for daguerreotype cameras. This can be considered as background my article on symmetrical designs. This is by no means complete. For that you will need to read many chapters in the books I list in my references.