The Zuiko 85mm f/2 lens is a small portrait lens for the Olympus OM system. It is extremely compact and light, especially compared to many other portrait lenses for other cameras. It is only a bit longer then a Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 and a little heavier. I purchased this one through Collectible Cameras website (www.collectiblecameras.com) and got a reasonable deal. The lens is in basically perfect condition and is one of the last versions of the 85/2.
The Zuiko 85mm f/2 lens was made in 3 different versions. The first version was of 6 elements in 4 groups. The second and third versions were of 5 elements in 4 groups. If you look at the optical diagrams you can see that moving to the second version one of the groups became a single element instead of two cemented elements. At least based on others’ test data this does seem to have improved the lens sharpness and contrast, especially wide open.
The other distinguishing difference between the 3 versions was whether the lens was multicoated and with what coating.
- Version 1, Serial number 100,000-115,000 had F. Zuiko on the lens, chrome ring, was single coated and had the old optic design.
- Version 2, Serial number 116,000-130,000 had a black ring and were marked MC (multicoated) and were of the new optic design.
- Version 3, Serial number 200,000-221,000 were marked Zuiko MC (200-204k) or just Zuiko (204k+) and apparently in literature were labled as NMC (New Multicoating? Nano Multicoating?). There is a difference in the reflective qualities of the version of lens I have (210,xxx, the 3rd version of the 85/2) and the 50/1.4 below SN 1,1m (probably of the ‘older’ multicoated design. I suspect the 50/1.4s after SN 1.1m have the NMC coating as well).
The two optic design diagrams are
Old New
I like the size and weight of the lens (both low). Focusing with f/2 is great, even in pretty low light. Its not quite as handy as say my 50/1.4 or 28/1.8, in part because it isn’t quite as fast, but also with the longer focal length a higher shutter speed is needed. That being said it can still be used in pretty low light and is small enough to fit in a pocket. I do wish Zuiko had gone ahead with production of the prototype 85/1.4 they had show cased (information here).
I managed to do a test of the lens recently at several apertures. I didn’t compare it back to back with anything, though since I used a similar test target (book shelf and books) I can loosely compare it to the Zuiko 50mm lenses I tested. In this case it is easily on par at the same apertures or even slightly better then any of the zuiko 50mm lenses. I tested the lens (from left to right in the image) at f/2, 2.8, 4 and 8. If you look closely you can tell that at f/2 it is very slightly softer then when stopped down, but it is a very tiny difference and at f/2.8 and smaller there is no visible difference, super sharp! Don’t forget the image is a 100% crop at 3200dpi from an Epson 4490 (and 3200dpi is really a bit beyond its true capabilities). Click on the picture for full size (100% crop) of the middle of the frame. The edges were about as sharp, sorry no included blow ups of it, but at f/2 things are sharp, and they get sharper at f/2.8 and f/4 (again very small differences, but a bit more room to improve then the center of the frame at f/2, but only a bit). You wouldn’t likely notice the difference in corner or edge sharpness at any aperture in an 8×12 print. Keep in mind this test only shows a single sample and one of the 3rd version, there would certainly be optical differences between the 1st and 2nd/3rd versions and possibly between the 2nd and 3rd as well.
Length: 48mm (46mm Version 1), Diameter: 60mm, Weight: 260g, Aperture: f/2-f/16, Filter: 49mm, Minimum focus distance: .85m (2.8ft) (1:6.9)
Comparison between Zuiko 50/1.4 MC and Zuiko 85/2 MC
Zuiko 85mm f/2 at about Minimum Focusing distance and wide open, shallow DOF abounds.
Shot at f/2.8
Credit: Some information courtesy of Photography in Malaysia (www.mir.com) and Konrad Beck (SN range for change over in designs)
you’ve got wrong link to the Photography in Malaysia page. It’s mir.com.my/rb/photography
Thanks, it is fixed now.
Is there any significant IQ difference between the MC and NMC ?
I don’t really have any experience with the regular mc version, but since it is the same optical design as the nmc, there probably isn’t much difference. I suspect the only real benefit is shooting in to a high contrast light, such as backlit. Probably
somewhat lower haloing, ghosting, better contrast, that sort of thing that you see between a single coated and multicoated optic, though probably
Less improvement would be my guess.
I see. Thanks a lot for the reply. I finally got one, the MC version
Still waiting from eBay.
I didn’t know about non MC and MC version before I visited your blog and almost bought the non MC. So thanks again for the info from this blog.
Well, I also just knew that some people also suggest the 90mm f/2. But the price is too high. Is it really much better than 85/2 MC? or just sharper (as a macro lens) ?
I haven’t had the pleasure of using the 90/2, but all of the comments I’ve seen describe it as an amazing lens that is extremely sharp. At least from my use of the 85/2, the 85/2 is extremely sharp even wide open, at least the redesigned versions (MC and later). The 90/2 probably does beat it out somewhat in sharpness especially at wider aperatures, but its like the difference between a really good wine and an excellent wine, you need the pallette to really tell the difference and be willing to pay the cost. A big disadvantage to me of the 90/2 over the 85/2, other than cost, is that it is a much larger and heavier lens.
Glad I could help!
Hi again! I just recevied my Zuiko 80/2 MC few days ago and just tried it .. and … WOW!! … it’s a WOW lens!! Superb! .. the bokeh is unbelievable smooth (I compared to my other 80-85 f/1.8 lens such as Jupiter-9, SMC Takumar and Pancolar), it’s sharp enough, the color is very good and the one that I like too is …. it’s very very small!!!
The bad side is on extreme condition it’s easily proned to flare. But by blocking the light with my hand the flare is gone. I have to buy a metal screw hood for this little giant
Once again … it’s a WOW lens!
Sorry, I mean 85/2 MC not 80/2 MC …
I have a late version 85/2 and I love it, so much so that I have a hard time getting riled up about the 90/2. It’s just amazingly sharp, has great color, and a wonderful all around feel to the rendering. The big reason I still can’t stop thinking about the 90, tho, other than the fact that it’s just plain meaner, is that I find myself wanting to focus closer a lot of the time.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you
writing this write-up and the rest of the website is extremely good.