Published: August 28, 2024
The lens many of you have been asking for has finally arrived. Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II ($1,799 from B&H Photo | Sony) second-generation fast aperture portrait prime features major updates in sharpness and focus speed.
My friends at Sony loaned me a pre-release FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens for a week ahead of this announcement – just in time for a vacation trip to Peru. Sony’s AF technology has grown in leaps since the original Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM was released in 2016 addressing my only compliant at the time – focus speed limited by technology of that era.
Does the updated version II address focus speed? You betcha! There’s a lot to love about the new FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens – but it’s blazing fast and silent autofocus is reason alone to upgrade. While the original 85 GM is optically excellent, it relied on traditional stepping motors like those found in competing third-party lenses. Featuring two Sony XD linear AF motors, FE 85mm F1.4 GM II autofocus is virtually instantaneous – tracking at up to 120 FPS. The camera locks on the subject’s eye and never lets go. Focus is dead-on frame after frame after frame.
For purposes of this review, RAW images were processed in Lightroom – no lens profile applied as there is no profile available at this time – but you can expect to see a lens profile added in the next round Adobe updates to Lightroom and Camera Raw.
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/640 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/2500 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/2500 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/640 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/2500 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/4000 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F3.2 | 1/1600 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/200 | ISO 500
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/1000 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/2500 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/640 | ISO 2000
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/2500 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/2500 | ISO 100
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II | Sony a7RC | F1.4 | 1/2500 | ISO 100
Lens Controls:
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II features two programable Focus Hold Buttons, an aperture ring, Iris Lock, Click/Declick and AF/MF switches
Like all the latest Sony G Master lenses, FE 85mm F1.4 GM II adds an aperture ring
The Iris Lock switch allows you to lock the aperture on either Auto or Manual aperture settings – not on a specific aperture setting
Aperture ring can be set to clicks for still photography or clcickless for video
AF/MF Switch
Size Comparisons:
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is roughly the size of the FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens – slightly shorter without a hood and slightly longer with the hood attached.
Lens Design:
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II features 14 Elements in 11 Groups including two XA elements and two extra-low dispersion elements.
XD Linnear Autofocus:
Autofocus is controlled by an XD (extreme dynamic) linear motor that contributes to greatly improved focusing performance, compared to the DDSSM system of the predecessor, including faster, quieter, and more precise AF that’s ideal for both video and stills.
What’s in the Box:
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens ships with a padded lens bag, front and rear lens caps and ALC-HS180 lens hood.
Specs:
Focal Length: 85mmMaximum Aperture: f/1.4Minimum Aperture: f/16Lens Mount: Sony ELens Format Coverage: Full-FrameOptical Design: 14 Elements in 11 GroupsDiaphragm Blades: 11, RoundedFocus Type: AutofocusImage Stabilization: NoFilter Size: 77 mm (Front)Dimensions (ø x L): 3.3 x 4.2″ / 84.7 x 107.3 mmWeight: 22.6 oz / 642 g
Order Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II from B&H Photo | Sony
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