I'll take some photos with the 85mm f/1.5 Nikkor in the next few days and you can compare it yourself. My impression is that it is an extremely sharp lens and something special. I'm figuring out what to take to Japan in a couple of weeks. I don't want to go overboard. I'll be taking care of my young kids, the heat is going to be murderous, and I don't want to worry about too much equipment, especially rare lenses. But I'd like to take a few. I want to shoot the Nikon museum with historic Nikkor lenses.
OK, I located my Nikkor 85mm f/1.5 lens. This lens is apparently one of 78 of this exact style in LTM, a very rare lens in near mint condition. Infinity on this lens is marked oo Feet: {} {} The first of each two is at f/1.5, the second is at f/4. These are just quickie shots out my window with the Leica M9 and the Nikkor lens at infinity. {} {} {} {} As you can see, the lens does well at f/1.5 wide open.
I have not had time to shoot any portraits or closeups this week. I'll see what I can do. The Canon looks good.
Took the Canon 85/1.5 to the Skating Rink yesterday, used it on the M Monochrom. ISO 10,000, Wide-Open. Disco-Lights for this shot. {} Skate and Fun Zone by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr {} Skate and Fun Zone by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr {} Skate and Fun Zone by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr At F2, and ISO 2500. Main lights are on. {} Skate and Fun Zone by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr {} Skate and Fun Zone by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr This is a long-throw, heavy lens. Probably about a 50% hit rate on focus in this situation.
