Before uploading the gear to Ebay, I took 50 quick snaps with the 85N to make sure everything worked correctly. Albeit cheesy test shots of the dog, flowers, backyard, etc. The 85N pictures looked really nice. Probably the biggest differences in the Contax 85N and Canon 85L were the colors and contrast. The 85N’s colors are more natural, whereas the Canon 85mm L F1.2 II can produce some hyperactive greens and reds on occasion. The 85N has better contrast in the shadow regions - which is typical of most Contax lenses.

CONTAX 85mm F1.4 N VERSUS CANON 85mm L F1.2 II

Optically the Contax 85N and Canon 85mm F1.2 L II are probably a tie. Maybe one is better here or there, but overall they are both very good lenses. The question here really is not about sharpness. The differences come down to the coloring, contrast curves and bokeh. If you like the saturated colors from the Canon lenses, then the Canon 85mm L F1.2 II is the right choice. If you prefer a more natural color palette (though muted compared to a Canon lens) along with better detail in the shadows, then Contax 85N is a good fit. To my eyes the Contax lenses deliver a truer color rendering, and it when it comes to landscapes the Contax lenses are much better.

The Canon 85L (I and II) stunk at landscapes, both 85L’s tended to blow out skies very easily. Taking the same picture with the Canon 24-105L at the 85mm focal length, the sky would not blow out. Saying the Canon 85L is the wrong tool for a landscape is the easy counterpoint. To that I would counter - then why is the Contax 100/2 Planar a great portrait AND a great landscape lens? I marvel at the Canon 85L sheer mass of glass, but when it comes to actually ‘using’ the lens, it is not high on my “must haves” list.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

I only had the Contax 85N for about a month before selling most of the Canon gear in December 2007. Now that matters have come full circle (I bought a 1Ds Mark III in March 2008), I wish the Contax 85N were still in the bag. I did not have enough time with the lens to form a complete opinion. The Contax N 85mm F1.4 is completely different (newer) design than the manual focus Contax 85mm F1.4 Planar from the 1980’s. Some say the Contax N 85mm F1.4 Planar has been optimized for portrait use. Perhaps so; I have no opinion on this subject. To be honest, I doubt I would buy a Contax 85N again - there are just too many other choices:

1. •Of all the Contax lenses, I have been most pleased with the Contax C/Y 100mm F2 Planar. It has consistently delivered very good results and a distinctive look. The downside of the original Contax 100mm Planar is availability, but things have changed and now a Zeiss 100mm F2 Makro-Planar ZE is readily available at B&H Photo, as well as the Zeiss 85mm F1.4 Planar ZE.
   

2. I have not owned Zeiss 85mm F1.4 Planar ZE, so it is an unknown quantity. User reports suggest the Zeiss 85mm F1.4 Planar produces moderate amounts of CA at faster apertures. I would pass on the 85 ZE and get a 100 ZE. The Zeiss 100mm F2 Makro-Planar is quite good (I own one), but for portraits I still prefer the Contax 100mm F2 Planar because it is a smaller, lighter lens. If having the macro function sounds useful, then the Zeiss 100mm ZE is a great choice. The Contax 100mm F2 Planar is a bit smoother in its rendering, the bokeh is slightly more diffused. If shooting portraits, this is still the lens I recommend.
   

3. •The Canon 85mm L F1.2 II is very heavy, too much CA wide open, blows out skies on landscapes and a delicate lens. I am always scared of scratching the front and rear elements during lens changes. It also has a floating lens design which needs to be in perfect alignment for optical performance. When traveling with the Canon 85L I am worried that the floating element will be knocked out of tolerance while bouncing around in the camera bag. The 85N’s build quality is more robust than the Canon 85L (I and II). All that said, the 85L has mythical status amongst Canon owners.
   

4. •The Canon 85mm F1.8 is a very popular lens amongst Canon users. At ~$400 new, the Canon 85mm F1.8 is by far the most economical choice listed. When it comes fringe (CA) at faster apertures and corner/edge sharpness, the 85mm F1.8 will not test as well as its big brothers, but does take a nice picture. If you do not “need” 85mm but want something in the bag for those “just in case” moments, this is the right lens at the right price.
   

5. •If the Canon 135mm L F2.0 USM’s added reach is not a problem, I would recommend the Canon 135L. The 135L focuses quickly, feels light and is well built. The 135L bokeh and sharpness at F2 are superb. That said, I seldom use it as a travel lens because 135mm is usually too long. If most of your portrait pictures are indoors, then a 85mm lens makes more sense - especially when shooting with a cropped-body dSLR like the Canon 40D.
   

If you are ready this (and especially this far), then there is a good chance you are confused and looking for opinions.  So it here goes, my choices in order:

1. 1.Contax 100mm F2 Planar with a Leitax adapter (see review)
   

2. 2.Zeiss 100mm F2 Makro Planar ZE
   

3. 3.Canon 135mm F2 L USM (see review)
   

4. 4.Contax N 50mm F1.4 Planar (see review)
   

5. 5.Canon Tele Zoom in the 70-200mm range or 70-300mm
   

6. 6.Contax N 85mm F1.4 Planar
   

If you need F1.2 or F1.4, then so be it, one of the 85mm lenses is the answer. But if you just want a portrait / landscape lens, then there are so many other choices. This last 5 images on this page are from zooms - GASP!!!