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Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II First Look Review

If you shoot portraits, there's a good chance you already own or perhaps wish you owned the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM, which is often described as the ultimate portrait lens. But that’s about to change with the release of the second-generation Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II, which is smaller, lighter, and faster.

BEST Sony Portrait Lens!? | Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Hands On Video Review

The Mark II has been upgraded for 2024, and delivers even more impressive imaging performance, taking G Master resolution and aberration control to the next level.

Join us for this Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II First Look Review, featuring sample images from Gareth Evans, along with his hands-on video review and see for yourself whether this lens is set to become the new ultimate portrait lens for Sony Alpha creators.

How much is the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens?

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II costs £1849.00 in the UK. This is on par with similar prime G Master portrait lenses for professionals and advanced enthusiasts, including the Sony FE 135mm F/1.8 GM (£1599.00), and the FE 50mm F/1.4 GM (£1,499.00).

When was the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II released?

The updated Sony 85mm GM II lens was released on 28 August 2024, following on from the original, which launched back on 3 February 2016. Camera and sensor technology has advanced significantly since 2016, with ultra-high-speed models like the A9 III, high-resolution sensors in the A7R V and other models.

Sony is studiously updating popular G Master lenses to take full advantage of this new technology, ensuring they can resolve extremely high levels of details and maintain AF tracking with cameras capable of bursting at speeds of up to 120fps.

To this end, the importance of the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II is highlighted as the first lens to be updated after the Holy Trinity lenses, with the 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II completing the trinity, following the 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II and 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. This is excellent news for portrait photographers who rely on the best equipment to set their work apart.

Sony 85mm GM II Key Features

The FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II combines reduced size and weight with enhanced resolution, improved bokeh, and faster focusing. It’s up to 3x quicker with up to 7x better subject tracking, all while being about 20% lighter and 13% smaller than its predecessor, which is very impressive.

Other notable features include:

• Enhanced image quality with improved corner sharpness and higher contrast
• Improved resistance to ghosting and flare
• Minimised onion ring bokeh
• Better control over chromatic aberration
• Includes two XD Linear motors
• Linear response MF
• Weighs just 642g
• Includes the same 77mm size filter thread

We do of course see the omission of any lens-based optical stabilisation, which is typical of this focal length, with manufacturers leaving it to good technique and camera IBIS to provide stabilisation.

Sample Taken with Sony A7R V. Camera settings: 1/640 sec. f/5.6. ISO 200

What Makes 85mm focal length so popular?

An 85mm lens is extremely popular for portraits in particular, due to rendering a natural field of view, with very low distortion. This creates pleasing results with slight compression and excellent subject separation. Sony’s GM II optics further enhance the appeal through smooth focus falloff and great contrast.

It’s not only portraits which are suited to an 85mm lens, and other subjects include:

• Events such as weddings and concerts
• Lifestyle
• Fashion
• Family photos
• Product photos

85mm is a brilliant focal width for creating strong subject-background separation, allowing you to capture a wide range of subjects as long as you have enough distance to shoot from.

With Sony’s new 85mm f/1.4 lens users benefit from a lighter design of just 642g, which enhances handheld operation. This makes the lens more manoeuvrable, and portable, while its less obtrusive design allows for more discreet shooting.

Sample Taken with Sony A7R V. Camera settings: 1/800 sec. f/5.6. ISO 200

How is Image Quality from the updated lens?

Sony has tweaked the 85mm lens’ optical design, adding an additional XA lens in exchange for an ED lens, plus the latest Nano AR Coating II, which helps maintain contrast in certain lighting conditions. The results are impressive, with stunning resolution, improved corner sharpness and better controlled chromatic aberration.

Bokeh rendition is also enhanced, with reduced colour fringing in bokeh circles, and smoother falloff between in and out-of-focus areas. If you thought the first gen. lens was impressive, you’ll be blown away by the quality of the updated model, which is superior in just about every respect.

Sample Taken with Sony A7R V. Camera settings: 1/800 sec. f/5.6. ISO 200

Controls and ergonomics

As a pro-level lens the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II offers a series of controls which support advanced workflows, including a ‘de-click’ button that turns off aperture steps when you need silent adjustments for video and events. Theres a customisable focus hold button, and the lens offers Linear response MF.

Linear response MF ensues that focus adjusts based on how far the focus ring is turned, catering to fast and accurate manual focusing when needed for video recording or manual override during photography.

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Mark 1 vs Mark 2

The table below demonstrates key differences between first and second generation models, with full specs including special optics, focus motors and other features. As with previous lens updates Sony has managed to improve performance, while reducing the size and weight.

Sample Taken with Sony A7R V. Camera settings: 1/800 sec. f/5.6. ISO 200

The Best Accessories

The new 85mm f/1.4 lens has the same 77mm filter thread as the original, allowing you to use any existing filters you might have. 77mm is also a common size for many lenses, so it’s a good size for compatible filters, even if you didn’t have the first version of this lens.

The most common filters for this type of portrait lens might include:

• A circular polariser filter – reduces glare and reflections, while enhancing blue skies. Try the Hoya 77mm UX II PL-CIR Circular Polariser Filter or Hoya 77mm HD II Circular Polarising Filter if your budget allows, both of which are excellent options.
• A UV or protector filter helps to reduce the effects of ultraviolet light, and perhaps more importantly protects the front element from scratches or accidental damage. We explore the pros and cons of a UV protection lens filter here, and recommend the Hoya 77mm Fusion Antistatic Next Protector or B+W Master Clear Filter MRC Nano 77mm for peace of mind.
• If you shoot portraits outdoors at wide apertures there will be times when you need to slow the shutter with an ND filter. Of course you can use ND filters for long exposure photography, but they are also perfect during brighter sunlit days to maintain a shadow depth of field. The Hoya 77mm Variable Density II Filter is among the most popular VNDs, as is the LEE Elements Variable ND Filter 2-5 Stops 77mm.
• Speciality filters such as the PolarPro Shortstache Everyday Filter combines a mist filter with a CPL in one, and PolarPro has plenty of options for creators from Peter McKinnon and other well known Youtubers.

Aside from filters it’s essential to have a dust blower, lens wipes and other suitable accessories to clean a camera lens.

Sample Taken with Sony A7R V. Camera settings: 1/400 sec. f/1.4. ISO 200

We absolutely love Sony’s second-generation lenses, such as the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Mark II reviewed here, which is also smaller, lighter, faster and better than the original. The 85mm f/1.4 GM II continues this trend by resolving higher levels of detail, reducing chromatic aberration, and delivering superb results from edge-to-edge.

Although some prefer the flexibility of a zoom lens, many swear by the results that an 85mm prime of this calibre can achieve. Despite stiff competition it is definitely vying for the crown as the ultimate G Master portrait lens for Sony users.

Reserve your Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens and discover how the upgrades can elevate your portrait photography to new heights.

If you’ve got the previous lens to sell, or other equipment which you no longer want, why not grab a free trade-in quote and discover how much you can save off the price of upgrading to the mark II, without the stress of selling on the private market.

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By Nick Dautlich on 29/08/2024