I just retired and decided to try photography. I just bought the A7Rv, GM 2 85MM F1.4 and the GM 35mm F1.4 for my 3rd lens I'm pushing towards the GM 2 24-70 F2.8. Wish me luck
Benj, thank you for a wonderful review! I had the old 85mm 1.4 and I sold it in expectation of the new lens, and bought an open box 85mm 1.8. While very small and sharp, it's too clinical for me. Strongly considering the II version now.
It really is if you need this lens. I mean I can't part with my Sigma DG DN Art 85mm and for the price it is the best 85mm F1.4 for the price. I paid $750 almost 3 years ago, it was brand new. I am not shooting on an A1 or A9 or shooting sport or video with this type of lens. I am sure there are people that shoot 30 frame on A1 or 120 frame on A9 they will need this one.
Nice review. Thanks. I have been waiting for this lens to add to my G20 and GM 35, 50 and 7-~200 2.8ii. But having recently retired, the price, of $3000 in Australia, came is a bit of a shock. I can get a sigma 85, 1.4 on sale at $1200. Any comments? I use an A7RV. Photos only, no video.
Yay!..Finally! my older 85 1.4 GM just gave out on me, work horse since 217..lol ..this is a much needed upgrade!...8 years wait is crazy..I dont mind the 1.4...but to nit pick Sony had 8 years to come out with a 1.2!!!..come on!! certainly no excuses for it haha ..im sorry but fine tuning bokeh and slightly sharper and obviously quicker AF..yes thats all good but why couldn't you put that towards the 1.2!!..lol Yes Sony says the analytics, sales and price point from the example of the 50mm 1.4/1.2 is most likely behind their reasoning, to answer the question of why they chose 85 1.4 II not a 1.2... but for some of us a 1.2 would be nice. I hope that they will still consider a 1.2 in the future..like the 50mm 1.2/1.4...releases..at least give people an option to choose..lol Yes I will pick one up..but if Sigma releases a new 85 1.2..and Viltrox is about to release the 85 1.2 LAB lens then I might have to certainly rethink and compare these lenses later on..lol
The "Iris Lock" doesn't really need to be there..the older 85GM and even the newer ones like the 35GM, 50GM..when you put it on "A"..on the aperture ring..its really does a good job of locking and it takes a little bit of force to move it out of that "A" position even if the lens is in a bag moving around..just my opinion..but hey its there and the price point is the same..so not much really to complain about..lol
77mm filter size? Nooooo... I just dropped to my knees in a Walmart. I loved Sony's approach to making all their 1.4 primes have the same filter size thread so while I probably wouldn't have bought this anyway (85mm is just too niche for me) it solidifies my decision. The images look lovely, though. Gorgeous rendering.
@@benjhaisch what’s the ETA on those presets? Your previous pack really helped me get the ball rolling on editing and getting some consistency with my first couple wedding shoots.
@@StapediusReflex hey thanks! They keep getting delayed over and over but I need to finally finish them. I’m in a never ending tweaking cycle that I just need to end ;)
how is glass even innovative anymore? anything from the past 10 years is sharper than anyone will ever need. IS and internal IS makes camera shake pretty much impossible. and weight wise, how light do you really need it, honestly? Things to improve, f stop, size, price, interesting and new focal lengths. Everybody makes a good, 35, 50, 85, 24-70, and 70-200. lets see some new stuff. and IS that won't cause micro tremors during long exposures.
I dont know what Sony is thinking. This should have been a 1.2 hands down. The 85mm 1.2 is an untapped market for Sony because NOBODY makes a 1.2 for Sony E mount. Not sigma , tamron nobody. This was a complete overlook and trying to compare the sales of the 50mm to estimate what the 85 will do was just dumb. Now when Sigma drops the first 85mm 1.2 for Sony E mount they will regret it . Whoever dropped the 85 1.2 for Sony would've sold like crazy and Sony completely missed the opportunity especially when the Sigma 85 is so close to accuracy of this lens and not that far up. So dumb. Sigma your up, hopefully they do not make the same mistake. It's just crazy to me how the 85 1.2 is untapped and nobody is gonna come get this money. Sigma will make a 1.2 and completely steal the temporary light of the GM II. I will continue to rock my Sigma 85 1.4, until they drop the 1.2
@@BrandonColePhotography diminishing returns. Also, with how micro lenses work, and efficiency drops quite quickly at those wide apertures, you aren't getting those speeds (software boosts gain at the dsp ) or the OOF bokeh doesn't get as diffuse as it should.
I think they want to have a perfect combo of 24/35/50/85 f1.4 kit of lenses for video and photo. If you are in a production and want a set of 1.4 lenses now you have it. The 50 1.2 is more of a unique lens...I think it will be a 85 f1.2... maybe in 2 years or so
I just retired and decided to try photography. I just bought the A7Rv, GM 2 85MM F1.4 and the GM 35mm F1.4 for my 3rd lens I'm pushing towards the GM 2 24-70 F2.8. Wish me luck
@@bert1913 my exact set up!
Benj, thank you for a wonderful review! I had the old 85mm 1.4 and I sold it in expectation of the new lens, and bought an open box 85mm 1.8. While very small and sharp, it's too clinical for me. Strongly considering the II version now.
Yes, I love it. I'm definitely getting this one.
It really is if you need this lens. I mean I can't part with my Sigma DG DN Art 85mm and for the price it is the best 85mm F1.4 for the price. I paid $750 almost 3 years ago, it was brand new. I am not shooting on an A1 or A9 or shooting sport or video with this type of lens. I am sure there are people that shoot 30 frame on A1 or 120 frame on A9 they will need this one.
Nice review. Thanks. I have been waiting for this lens to add to my G20 and GM 35, 50 and 7-~200 2.8ii. But having recently retired, the price, of $3000 in Australia, came is a bit of a shock. I can get a sigma 85, 1.4 on sale at $1200. Any comments? I use an A7RV. Photos only, no video.
Triggering my Norway Acquisition Syndrome. Lovely images!
Yay!..Finally! my older 85 1.4 GM just gave out on me, work horse since 217..lol ..this is a much needed upgrade!...8 years wait is crazy..I dont mind the 1.4...but to nit pick Sony had 8 years to come out with a 1.2!!!..come on!! certainly no excuses for it haha ..im sorry but fine tuning bokeh and slightly sharper and obviously quicker AF..yes thats all good but why couldn't you put that towards the 1.2!!..lol Yes Sony says the analytics, sales and price point from the example of the 50mm 1.4/1.2 is most likely behind their reasoning, to answer the question of why they chose 85 1.4 II not a 1.2... but for some of us a 1.2 would be nice. I hope that they will still consider a 1.2 in the future..like the 50mm 1.2/1.4...releases..at least give people an option to choose..lol
Yes I will pick one up..but if Sigma releases a new 85 1.2..and Viltrox is about to release the 85 1.2 LAB lens then I might have to certainly rethink and compare these lenses later on..lol
Great review Thanks!
The "Iris Lock" doesn't really need to be there..the older 85GM and even the newer ones like the 35GM, 50GM..when you put it on "A"..on the aperture ring..its really does a good job of locking and it takes a little bit of force to move it out of that "A" position even if the lens is in a bag moving around..just my opinion..but hey its there and the price point is the same..so not much really to complain about..lol
What kind of camera hoods do you have on your lenses that are shown in this video?
The shot at 7:47 is incredible!
Thanks dude!
Which is sharper? SONY GM 85MM 1.4 II or SONY GM 135MM 1.8?
would you say the 135mm has more character for portraits?
It will be great for studio or for someone who likes to shoot primes.
77mm filter size? Nooooo... I just dropped to my knees in a Walmart. I loved Sony's approach to making all their 1.4 primes have the same filter size thread so while I probably wouldn't have bought this anyway (85mm is just too niche for me) it solidifies my decision. The images look lovely, though. Gorgeous rendering.
Man, just a comment, the colors from the photos in Norway look lovely. SOOC or an edit? Tell me your secrets 🧙🏻
New presets and then my existing LUTs on the videos :)
@@benjhaisch very clean!
@@benjhaisch what’s the ETA on those presets? Your previous pack really helped me get the ball rolling on editing and getting some consistency with my first couple wedding shoots.
@@StapediusReflex hey thanks! They keep getting delayed over and over but I need to finally finish them. I’m in a never ending tweaking cycle that I just need to end ;)
how is glass even innovative anymore? anything from the past 10 years is sharper than anyone will ever need. IS and internal IS makes camera shake pretty much impossible. and weight wise, how light do you really need it, honestly?
Things to improve, f stop, size, price, interesting and new focal lengths. Everybody makes a good, 35, 50, 85, 24-70, and 70-200. lets see some new stuff. and IS that won't cause micro tremors during long exposures.
I dont know what Sony is thinking. This should have been a 1.2 hands down. The 85mm 1.2 is an untapped market for Sony because NOBODY makes a 1.2 for Sony E mount. Not sigma , tamron nobody. This was a complete overlook and trying to compare the sales of the 50mm to estimate what the 85 will do was just dumb. Now when Sigma drops the first 85mm 1.2 for Sony E mount they will regret it . Whoever dropped the 85 1.2 for Sony would've sold like crazy and Sony completely missed the opportunity especially when the Sigma 85 is so close to accuracy of this lens and not that far up. So dumb. Sigma your up, hopefully they do not make the same mistake. It's just crazy to me how the 85 1.2 is untapped and nobody is gonna come get this money. Sigma will make a 1.2 and completely steal the temporary light of the GM II. I will continue to rock my Sigma 85 1.4, until they drop the 1.2
I think they’re trying to balance the photo/video crowds equally and an f/1.2 would probably create too many compromises
I bet they are working on a bigger, heavier f1.2 as we speak. But for me, the lighter, smaller f1.4 GM primes are *chef´s kiss*
@@BrandonColePhotography diminishing returns. Also, with how micro lenses work, and efficiency drops quite quickly at those wide apertures, you aren't getting those speeds (software boosts gain at the dsp ) or the OOF bokeh doesn't get as diffuse as it should.
I think they want to have a perfect combo of 24/35/50/85 f1.4 kit of lenses for video and photo. If you are in a production and want a set of 1.4 lenses now you have it. The 50 1.2 is more of a unique lens...I think it will be a 85 f1.2... maybe in 2 years or so
Huh? Just be respectful, criticize a camera/lens/whatever all you want
Short answer: No.
Haha it is for me, but obviously just depends on your needs
It's lighter and smaller, so it's already a giant advantage
I sold my original 85 1.4 GM, but I do adore this one! It’s smaller and lighter than my 50 1.2 GM, which is my fave
Pic at 7:32 is $$