Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Evaluation: Smaller, Sharper, Speedier

Each producer ought to have a great, quick 85mm lens, and the actual fact is, Sony already makes one. Sony has been on an actual kick recently to replace a few of its earlier — and questionable — lenses that have been launched close to the start of the E-mount system. I preferred the unique G-Grasp 85mm f/1.4 but it surely had some flaws and is exhibiting its age.

Good timing then, to check out the newest model II of the G-Grasp 85mm f/1.4, and even higher as a result of the Calgary People Fest was happening on the similar time. The 85mm ought to give me the look I need and gather the sunshine I want for some live performance pictures because the night encroaches. I used to be lucky to get press entry to the exhibits which might enable me to get proper up and near the motion the place the 85mm vary can do its greatest work.

Sony G-Grasp 85mm f/1.4 II Evaluation: The way it Handles

I really like the 85mm focal size. It’s lengthy sufficient to seize head-and-shoulders portraits, and quick sufficient for use as a general-purpose lens on the streets. It’s also possible to get some very quick variations that give the ultra-shallow depth of subject look.

Like all G-Grasp lenses, the second model of the 85mm is constructed extremely effectively. It’s absolutely weather-sealed and has a really comparable feel and appear to the unique. 85mm f/1.4 lenses are sometimes going to be cumbersome due to the massive glass parts required to attain such a brilliant aperture nonetheless, what blew me away was how a lot lighter the G-Grasp 85mm f/1.4 II is. Weighing solely 22.6 ounces (642 grams), the Sony 85mm is straightforward to take with you and even simpler to shoot with. You get a {smooth} guide focusing ring and customizable buttons and there may be additionally a guide focus swap and an aperture ring that may be set for both {smooth} or click-stop performance.

The hood is a more moderen design with a helpful push-button interface and the filter thread is a typical 77mm diameter. Sony determined to modify to an 11-bladed aperture to try to present as {smooth} a glance to the bokeh as attainable. I used to be wanting to see simply how a lot that side had improved as a result of the unique lens had some issues with the look of the out-of-focus areas.

Sony G-Grasp 85mm f/1.4 II Evaluation: The way it Shoots

So getting proper into the look of the depth of subject, I discovered the brand new lens to be freed from the cleaning soap bubbles and onion rings that the primary lens suffered from. There’s a nice cat’s eye impact to the bokeh which fits portraits. The specular highlights are clear and smooth-looking. When stopped down, the look of the highlights is sort of completely spherical and the backgrounds look {smooth} and don’t distract from the remainder of the scene.

The sooner linear autofocus motors drive the 85mm II a lot sooner than its predecessor. Once I was capturing individuals within the crowds or musicians on stage, the lens tracked shortly and precisely directly. This could please not solely avenue photographers however anybody utilizing this lens for weddings and occasion work as effectively.

I had a transparent day on the People Fest so I pointed the G-Grasp on the solar and did some flare testing. Sony coatings are very dependable and the brand new 85mm is not any exception. Lack of distinction is minimal and there are not any ghosting points to fret about. Be at liberty to shoot this lens with backlit portraits or brilliant stage lights.

Sony has slowly up to date its lens lineup to carry out higher for a video and one of many points with the unique 85mm was heavy lens respiratory. This causes the sphere of view to alter quickly once you focus the lens and is detrimental for video work once you pull focus. The brand new 85mm f/1.4 has some minor respiratory however it’s far lower than what was current within the first iteration of this lens. Most customers will discover it acceptable and Sony’s Respiration Compensation characteristic can deal with the remainder.

A lens that’s going to do numerous capturing at f/1.4 higher be sharp extensive open, particularly for low-light live performance shoots. Fortunately, Sony has made the 85mm G-Grasp II one of many sharpest lenses I’ve ever used. Efficiency at f/1.4 is as sharp as you would need with nearly no lack of distinction. As you cease the lens down the development is minimal as a result of it begins off so effectively extensive open. The corners at f/1.4 are fairly good as effectively and also you do see some enchancment stopping down however general sharpness is great regardless of the place you focus this lens. Even on the 60-megapixel Sony A7RV, I used to be impressed by how effectively the brand new 85mm did at f/1.4.

Quick lenses are inclined to have points with LoCA, that are longitudinal chromatic aberrations that trigger colour fringing within the out-of-focus areas. The Sony 85mm II is so effectively corrected that the LoCA is barely seen at f/1.4 and mainly gone past that. There can be no want to fret about eradicating this LoCA in post-production.

Sony’s G-Grasp 85mm f/1.4 II is a Close to Good Product

Up to now, Sony has executed an incredible job of updating its earlier lens designs, and optics just like the G-Grasp 70-200mm and 24-70mm are good examples. The unique 85mm positively wanted some enchancment and Sony has delivered as a result of I can’t actually discover any points with the 85mm f/1.4 II.

Every part that plagued the unique has been addressed and the brand new lens is sharp and quick focusing. The one points are going to be a little bit of lens respiratory and a reasonably pedestrian shut focusing distance however the actual ache of proudly owning this lens is the asking worth. However in case you get pleasure from this focal size as a lot as I do, and also you need the very best choice, the newest G-Grasp is well worth the comparatively excessive $1,800 worth.

Are There Alternate options?

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Artwork is a unbelievable lens and has glorious efficiency at f/1.4. It’s higher than the unique Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM and is available in at a extra tolerable worth however it could’t fairly match the brand new G-Grasp’s efficiency.

Ought to You Purchase It?

Sure. It is a near-perfect lens that does precisely what you need a quick 85mm to do. In case you have the funds, it is best to make the leap.