Sony 85mm F1.4 GM II Lens Review
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- Опубликовано: 3 янв 2025
- Sony's long-awaited update to its 85mm F1.4 G Master lens first released in 2016. The 2024 Sony 85mm F1.4 GM II is smaller, lighter, faster and sharper than the previous version and, with its dual linear XF focus motors, offers the best choice for a wide aperture 85 portrait lens with ultra fast focus. It also offers the videographer and lens with less focus breathing and linear response manual focus. This video review takes a look at this new lens alongside other lenses that also offer a better bit of bokeh in order to maximise the figure/ground separation in your images, ensuring your subjects pop.
Album of Ultra High-Definition Images: flic.kr/s/aHBq...
Pre-Order Lens from B&H: bhpho.to/3T3ZYIM
Mark Galer is a Sony Alpha Ambassador for Australia.
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Join me on Patreon for the best Alpha Support and Guidance. A single $10 Membership fee includes access to my 300 to 700-page camera-specific eBooks + Over thirty hours of member-only seminars + cameras settings files + access to the Raw files from the lens and camera reviews (there is no contract or commitment beyond the first month). www.patreon.com/markgaler
Yes, it is a very good Lens, but I do not need an aperture 1.4 for a 85mm Lens ! So I will keep my excellent ZEISS Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* which is more light weight. I do wish that Sony will make a high end "GMC" series of compact Lenses, fx aperture 2.0 with at least as good optical image quality as the GM series.
I always turn to you for the best Sony reviews. You never disappoint!
Thank you - what a nice complement
Mark, every time Sony releases a lens I come to your channel. Your reviews are so thorough and make practical arguments for lens choices.
In terms of the 1.2 vs 1.4…if you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t make a difference. If you want silky bokeh, just take half a step closer at 1.4. People seem to forget the distance between you and subject and subject and background are the other components of depth of field. I’m tired of people just relying on the aperture. If you want the best bokeh, buy the 135 GM and shoot it at minimum focus. I agree with Mark that the weight and size savings are well worth it on this 85.
Please keep reviewing the same way. I absolutely love your reviews. Cheers!
Thanks for the positive feedback …and yes, depth of field is controlled by more than just aperture.
Thanks for another awesome review! This is a lens for which I have been waiting. I love the images from my 135 F1.8, but it can feel like a brick to carry when travelling. This new 85 GMii sounds to be a lot more portable and adaptable. I have already placed my order for one.
The 135 is indeed a spectacular lens but I can nearly get the same '135 F1.8 look' by shooting with this 1.4 in APS-C mode.
I'm happy to see a updated 1.4. The old one was completely outdated, and a 1.2 just isn't worth the extra weight.
I agree with your comments
…says those who are resigned to the fact 1.2 isn’t possible
@@coldmedina Or those who doesnt want to carry 2 times the weight for a fraction more light. Same thing why i`m not interested in the 50mm 1.2.
The sample images in your Flickr album are really impressive. Great showcase of this lens!
Thanks a lot!
I have 2 fixed lenses: the Sony 20mm 1.8 G and the 50mm 1.2 GM. The A7R V with its 61M pixels allow to respectively crop at 30mm (close to 35mm) and 80mm (close to 85mm) with 26M pixels still. I think it is a great combo!
Those are both cracking lenses :-)
Another best in class review of the new lens. I have the version one GM but will consider this new 85/1,4 GM II. Right now in my travel bag I’ve paired my Zeiss Batis 85/1.8 with my 24-50/2.8 G and 16-25/2.8 G and A7CR but will look at this for that application well. Thank you and take care.
Zooms are great for convenience but I always travel with a portrait prime
An interesting setup, thanks.
Very thorough and helpful - thanks. Your skin tones always look great. Is there a magic sauce you apply in post or some other secret?
I shoot in Raw work with a color-profiled and calibrated screen and have fairly quick-and-simple post-production workflows which I share with my Patrons on Patreon.com/markgaler
I am having the Sigma 85/1.4 ART and I am completely satisfied with this lens. No need to pay the double price for GMII.
If I want more bokeh, I take my 135/1.8 GM.
For light travelling, in Hong Kong in two weeks, I will take the Sony A7CR with Sony 11/1.8, Tamron 20-40/2.8 and the new Samyang V-AF 100/ T2.2.
Good for you - but not sure why you would be watching this video review
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I’m sure he or she is Watching due to FOMO. Sounds like FOMO assuaged after watching. Why would you alienate a (potential) subscriber with that comment - because they don’t feel as you do about this new lens? 🤦🏽♂️
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I watch all your videos, very often they contain some helpful information. Anyhow, in this case, the Sigma is good enough for me.
I don’t wish to alienate anyone but I can only learn from my viewers if i can better understand why someone would be watching a review of a lens when they freely admit to not wanting to own this type of lens - no matter how good it is. I am also at a point in mg career where I genuinely don’t care how many people subscribe to my channel.
Awesome review!
Glad you enjoyed it
Interesting review as always. I have the 85mm 1.8 don’t use it a lot so will wait for that to be updated, along with the 90mm macro both over due and upgrade in my opinion!
the current 85mm F1.8 does not have slow AF like the original 85mm GM so not sure if Sony will update this anytime soon. I would like to see a fast focusing 90mm Macro as well.
Excellent review Mark, thank you for all the details and example photographs. I am still hoping that Sony will come out with a 105mm f1.8 G lens, I think that would be my ideal travel portrait lens. I am using the Sony 85mm f1.8 now.
I also have the 1.8/85 but will add the 1.4 when I have room in my medium-sized messenger bag
Finally. Very happy to see it. I do wish they did the 1.2 after all (which im speculating is part of the “delay”), but I’m very happy to see it get the 1.4 GM treatment like the 50mm.
I wouldn't want the 1/2 kilo extra weight and I can get the 85mm F1.2 look with the 135 F1.8
Good this not just pitching the new 85GM2 but to also look left and right
I am still shooting with the dodgy A7 mark 4, therefore keep my 85GM1, though yes it does not have the fastest AF. For travel I have the Batis 85 which is very good to work with
Thanks - I always try to place a new lens release in context with what has come before and what else may be of interest.
Thanks Mark. Another comprehensive review as always! Question: what makes you choose the 24-50 over the 20-70 for travel? Would be interested in your experienced opinion and wonder if it's anything more than smaller size, weight and aperture. Thanks
PS: I'll stick with my trusty 90 2.8 DGDN for travel portraits 😊
I have a tendency to modify my lens and camera choice with every trip I make. I outline my decision-making process in seminars I make available to my Patrons on Patreon.com/markgaler - I am currently working on location with the E 15mm F1.4 G (as you will see on my social media accounts (Facebook and Flickr). This may answer your question.
Mark, now that you have travelled extensively with this lens, do you find that you use it in only in specific cases (ie low light abilities, or sharpness/detail/image quality) vs using a 70-200mm F4 G lens? Just curious if your opinion on it has changed and how you feel it fits into your lens selection.
I travelled with this lens for 10 weeks and can fully understand why it was voted as the best prime lens this year by PetaPixel. The only 70-200 lens I own is the F4 Macro G II, as I always prefer to use 85, 90 and 135 primes instead of F2.8 zooms. Since returning from my travels I have been busy reviewing the A1 (primarily with longer focal length lenses) and the FE 28-70 F2 zoom, so have had little time for my own work, where portrait primes feature more heavily in the workflow.
I offer multiple gear choice seminars to my Patrons on Patreon.com/markgaler to help them make appropriate choices of gear that will meet their specific photographic needs. Premium Plus patrons are also supported via a Q&A forum. It is impossible to give someone advice without knowing about their budget, the other lenses they own, the size of their camera bag, whether they use a second camera body and what types of photography they engage in.
As alternative there are also the exellent Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T*, I got it in 2023 used for US $550 (taxes included) in excellent condition, it have excellent image quality, it is very well built and it is light weight, I can highly recommend it. Yes, I have both the Zeiss Batis 85mm and the new Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II.
The Batis 85mm F1.8 was the first 85mm E-Mount prime. It's sales were probably damaged a little when Sony's own 85mm F1.8 was released at half the price and with curved aperture blades.
I am not sure if Zeiss are still manufacturing the Batis lenses as they did make a statement that they were withdrawing from this segment of the market. Your purchase in 2023 could well have been from old stock.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Yes, many bought the Sony 85mm 1.8, the Zeiss was/are perhaps too high in price, but I do think the Zeiss is better built and will last longer. I am not a fan of Son non-GM Lenses, they are not as reliable as the GM Lenses. I only use Sony GM, Voigtländer and Zeiss Lenses.
I am using old non-GM lenses (some of which are 11 years old) which have not had any reliability issues.
nice review Mark, I am not so on prime lenses...but like your videos and rewiews of new Sony releases.... any news on a 90mm marco II and a version II of the 24-240mm maybe a better G version with a f/5.6 on the long end?
Thanks -Sony do not share ahead of time what they are working on. The first I know of a new lens is when I open the box a few days or weeks before it is announced
@@AlphaCreativeSkills maybe Sony reads the comments to youre videos😉
I would like to think so but I doubt it
I also have been waiting for this lens for some years...
You and me both :-)
1.4 is enough, near perfect lens. I'm definitely getting this one.
Yes - I also believe 1.4 is enough
Yes F1.4 is sufficient for practical matters
I feel this is a necessary update for Sony. It brings the 85 to modern GM standards. Having both Sony and Sigma releasing their prime lenses to the standard set, is a win win for everyone on E mount.
Well said
Another great video review; Galers non-excentric and very informative way of presenting Sonys gear is so educative and always a joy to watch. Btw, anybody knows what brand the wrist strap Galer uses in this vid is? It seems to me as a Peak Design, but I cant find it on their home page.
I am currently using hand-stitched leather wrist straps from Wotancraft
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you very much!
I have the 135mm f/1.8 that I seldom use for my portrait photography because I have to back up too far, but I absolutely love this lens. Now I have to decide whether adding the 85 mkII or trading the 135mm for the4 new 85mm (fist world problem, I know :-))
Yep, the 135mm f1.8 is an incredible lens, but it is a beast and for portraits I find I just have to back up too much. Personally I have been hoping for a 105mm f1.8 G for a long time
I also own the 1.8/135 but if I had to choose one it would be this smaller 1.4/85
@@nafnaf0Agree on the 105mm f/1.8
Спасибо за подробное сравнение! Сам пока пользуюсь Sigma 85 f1.4 DG DN, возможно если бы Sony 85 gm ii вышел раньше то приобрел бы его. Пока все устраивает, хотя технически Sony 85 gm ii лучше в плане следящей фокусировки. Картинку и боке думаю различить сложнее...
Thanks for sharing
I like how the original version has the aperture numbers and marks engraved on the aperture ring, the mark II only has those printed. Same thing for the shooting mode dial on the newer cameras, I really don't think Sony should cheat it out for GM lenses and premium bodies.
This GM ll, however, outshines the Mark 1 in every other respect.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills That, I would have to agree, and I will probably buy it still. I was just hoping that there were no such kinds of cut corners for a superb lens like this, and in the future too. Consistency among all of my GM lens is another important thing for an OCD like me but I guess most people would be okay with 5 lenses engraved and 1 lens printed :D
Hey Mark. Thank you a lot for those great videos and tutorials. Traveling to Europe? If you make a stop in Germany, let me know. I could give some tipps for right photo spots or cities you should go to. Best greetings
Thanks for your kind offer. I have been travelling the globe for more than four decades so have some experience with organising my travel itineraries.
Now that the 1.4 lineup is complete, Sony can start working on their specialized lens. I hope that instead of the 85 1.2, they do a 105mm 1.4 GM
I expect to see many 'unconventional' and 'specialised' lenses appearing in the coming years.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillsI really hope the unconventional is exciting. Viltrox is stepping up their game.
Will I notice a considerable improvement on an a7iv over and about my GM v1? I find that lens to be very sharp already. I don’t see a huge difference vs my Sony 135 1.8
It is sharper, but only noticeable when zoomed in on a 4K monitor - the major benefits (as outlined in this video) is the size and AF speed. I will use this AF speed (as demonstrated in this video review) but not everyone shoots subjects that are moving rapidly.
MArk, is the new 85 GM II quiet enough for 4K video using the onboard mikes on say, a Sony FX3 or A9 III?
yes
I remember that Mark said before, Sony new 85 GM should stay with 1.4 rather than 1.2, to keep the light weight. Yes, Sony did so.
Correct - I prefer my lenses to be lighter and smaller whenever possible.
perfect lens, yes 1.4 is enough, and amazing photo shoot ....
Thanks for the positive feedback
New 85 GM ii looks like a small brother of 135GM, which is almost optically perfect as per every expert.❤ as I already own 85f1.8 85f1.4GM i and 135GM, I don’t want to buy this new 85 GM, until the price drops significantly.
That may take a few years as demand is likely to be high for a while
We need a updated 85mm F1.8 that is less than 300g and has 0.20+ magnification ratio.
Yes - I would agree - this, however, is the 85 1.4 GM ll review - what do you think of the photos I was able to capture with this lens?
11:35 Star Wars Character
I am always drawn to photographing very interesting characters.
for 85mm bokeh is important!
Indeed it is …but I am more interested in the figure ground separation
Finally !!!
A little overdue but finally it is here :-)
What’s the thumb grip on your A7CII/R?
It's a Neewer Grip. It is very similar to the SmallRig Design but the silver version for the A7CII/A7CR was overpriced on Amazon in Australia. Both are high quality as I have a black SmallRig grip for my A6700.
I'd say it's overall the best 85mm lens that you can find. However, the GM1 has a slightly nicer rendering to my eyes, like 10% better. Everything else however is way better in the GM2.
I suppose Bokeh is in the eye of the beholder - Sony worked on the original design for this lens to improve the bokeh and reduce the color fringing. This may not be to everyone's taste.
Why only 20 FPS with the A1? Can't the lens reach 30 FPS with the A1?
The A1 can do 30fps without AF tracking and 20fps with AF tracking
Are Sony painting themselves into a corner. With some of my GM glass it's hard to think how Sony will ever make me upgrade. 35gm, 24-70GMII 70-200GMII and I will get this one as well, all amazing close to perfect. What could a 24-70GMIII offer that my two does not?
Sony’s MK 2 lenses were needed to keep up with cameras such as the A1 and A9lll - I don’t see Sony creating MK lll lenses until such time that the current lenses fall short again. Sony can instead turn their attention to innovative designs such as the FE 70-200 F4 Macro G2 or the 20-70 F4 G, i.e., lenses nobody asked for but sell well anyway.
I.2 would be over kill for me.
I agree
For the form factor, Sigma 85 is marginally shorter and feels less front heavy, and easier to carry around.
The weight is evenly balanced in the 85 GM2 - neither front or rear heavy
I was just about to say how would you know and could see Mark answered
Welcome replacement for the original 85mm GM.
Long Overdue but this brings it into line with all the other GM primes now that it has fast AF
@@AlphaCreativeSkills The 135mm GM might be the best lens I've ever used. But, if they could make a smaller lighter version, that would be welcome too.
I do like how your reviews focus on how a lens fits into the E Mount ecosystem, how it looks, feels and weighs and what it's like to shoot in the field. All the pixel peeping videos get boring!
Thanks - check out the link to my album of ultra high-definition examples in the info section below the video (now over 140 images). I am continuing my extended shooting with this lens - one that will extend way beyond the timeframe most reviewers will have with this lens.
Quite disappointed in this one. I'll stick with my Sigma, and would probably buy it again. Image quality is near identical, but Sigma is still the winner in size and weight which matters more than AF speed and burst to me. Also it seems that the GM II is a bit shorter in focal length or not a true 85mm if you compare it to the Mark 1 or Sigma.
Btw Mark, have you switched your 20-70 G to the 24-50 G as the preferred travel lens?
I am traveling with neither the 24-50 or 20-70 on this trip. I discuss my trips in detail on my Patreon support channel.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillsoh, I thought you said you’re bringing the 85 Mk2 and 24-50 on a trip at the end of your video here (?)
I changed my mind at ghe last ninute and decided to pack an A6700 with an even smaller lens as well as the A7Cll with 85mm GM2. This reduces the amount of lens changing if i can just switch bodies instead.
Yes, it is a very good Lens, but I do not need an aperture 1.4 for a 85mm Lens ! So I will keep my excellent ZEISS Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* which is more light weight. I do wish that Sony will make a high end "GMC" series of compact Lenses, fx aperture 2.0 with at least as good optical image quality as the GM series.
I also own an 85mm F1.8 and 90mm F2.8 - I would like to see Sony expand their small G series primes to include a portrait focal length.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills A Sony Lens like the Sigma 90mm 2.8, just without the distortion will be really nice ! I do not like the 24, 40, 50mm G series Lenses, to many compromises for me.
Should have been 1.2 like their 50mm.
Add half a kilo + US $1,000 and it would likely have been possible ..but maybe not a hugely popular lens.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills maybe they will roll one out later. Canon and Nikon have 85 1.2.
I prefer the better build of my sigma 85mm f1.4 dg dn art. Sony GM's are way too much plastic
Note sure that I agree with your assessment of the build quality of a GM lens. If metal is more important than bokeh, speed of autofocus and optical sharpness then stick with the heavy metal. Just remember that no lens bounces when dropped -even the metal ones.
1st
Thanks for your support :-)
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 wouldn't purchase an 85mm 1.2 as I prefer lighter lenses and 1/3 stop is not significant at the 85mm focal length.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillscan you please explain why it wouldn’t be significant with this focal length?
The depth of field difference for 1/3 stop at this focal length is barely noticeable - perhaps the difference between moving 6 inches closer to your sitter for a head and shoulders portrait. It’s a little more noticeable at the shorter focal lengths but still only half a step difference at the 50mm focal length - I attempted to show the difference in my 50mm F1.4 review where I compared if to the 1.2 GM.
@@AlphaCreativeSkillsthat’s 1/2 a stop not a 1/3.
@@p.t.ngwolo10032/3 stops lol
This lens should have been released two years ago, it’s still outclassed by the Sigma in terms of weight & nearly double the cost. They couldn’t make a f/1.2 because of the 46mm E-Mount, so they elected to build a video-centric 85 Prime, as opposed to a portrait photographer 85 Prime, which Nikon & Canon offers. They can make a 24 f/1.2 Prime with Quad-XD motors & shock the world once again in 2025 in conjunction with the α1ii announcement. Does Sony have the courage to still innovate?
The weight is so close as not to make a difference. It does offer better manual focus and less focus breathing than the Sigma but it can also keep up at 120fps shooting Raw stills on an A9III - so it is very much a stills lens as well.
Buy the sigma then
@@AlphaCreativeSkills it's definitely better, but is it double the cost better, if you don't own a stack? Yes & no. It is 100% the best videocentric 85 Prime for full frame ever released, with minimal focus breathing and silent dual-XD motors, something Nikon & Canon's f/1.2 options don't offer...along with tremendous weight savings for portability and extended shooting. It is an excellent lens, but it should of been released in March of 2023, not Fall of 2024
@@chrisshawcross7033 I'm not interested in an 85, I have the 50GM f/1.2 & 135GM for my α1.
@@hikertrashfilms are you copy+pasting your comment under every release video..? The E-Mount does not limit an 85mm to f/1.4 as people have explained to you on other videos. Sony even explained this in 2019 (!) during the a6400 release where they showed the theoretical limits of the mounts diameter and flange focal distance (it is f/0.63).
this lens offers some quality of life improvements over the first version and the sigma lens. this is a simple budget question. if you have it, you buy the sony. if you dont, the open mount has your back with the sigma as well.
Mark. You could use a kit lens and still take amazing photos.
I try my best 👍🙂