85mm Triotar

[ZeissFan]

Following a previous discussion of the Triotar, I decided to do another test. To see how it would perform if I shot only wide open at f/4.0.


Here's my comments on the lens and a few photos. (http://elekm.net/zeiss/triotarfeb2006/)

Briefly, my conclusion about this lens remains the same: This lens performs very good to excellent wide open and is significantly better than most other non-Zeiss triplets that you'll encounter.

edit: changed a hyphen to "to"

[Mike Kovacs]

shhhhh, don't let the secret out. I'd like to get a postwar, coated one first :)

[dexdog]

ZeissFan, I think your 85 triotar performs better than mine does. Maybe mine needs to go to Henry Scherer for an overhaul. Mine does not look hazy or anything, but perhaps the elements have oil on them or something. Maybe next year- I've already dropped a bundle with him this year. I expect to get my Contax 1a back soon, and look forward to using it.

[ZeissFan]

My overhaul of the lens -- a cleaning and relube of the focusing mechanicals -- took me just a few minutes. A total CLA should be no more than 90 minutes, as the lens isn't that complex. I wouldn't expect that you should pay more than $75 for this service.

[furcafe]

Mine seems to perform fine resolution-wise, etc., but is a major flare magnet, even w/a correctly-sized telephoto hood.

ZeissFan, I think your 85 triotar performs better than mine does. Maybe mine needs to go to Henry Scherer for an overhaul. Mine does not look hazy or anything, but perhaps the elements have oil on them or something. Maybe next year- I've already dropped a bundle with him this year. I expect to get my Contax 1a back soon, and look forward to using it.