Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens Summary

Joining the growing line-up of second-generation Sony E-mount lenses is the prestigious Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens, which improves on the ultimate portrait lens for professional and enthusiast photographers. This fixed focal length prime boasts a new optical design, featuring special glass elements that deliver higher resolution and improved corner-to-corner sharpness.

The newly designed optics also better control chromatic aberrations, while enhancing bokeh and the transition between in-focus and out-of-focus areas in the frame. As with previous Mark II lens updates, Sony has introduced dual XD linear focus motors, enabling the mark II to keep pace with newer camera’s autofocus capabilities more effectively. In fact, the 85mm f/1.4 GM II is up to 3x faster and improves subject tracking by up to 7x compared to the original, ensuring greater accuracy for even the fastest-moving subjects.

Modern design techniques have enabled a smaller and lighter design with excellent ergonomics, which include an aperture ring with a click switch, Linear Response MF with a shorter focus throw, and a focus hold button that can be customised.

If you specialise in portraits, lifestyle, headshots, or other suitable genres, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens vastly improves on any shortcomings of the original model, which is getting on for eight years old. It’s also the perfect choice for capturing stills and movies, with a de-click aperture ring, smooth focus changes and compatibility with Sony’s breathing correction for consistent framing.

Key Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II (SEL85F14GM2) Features

• Refined optical design for improved image quality
• Enhanced control over chromatic aberration
• Higher resolution with improved corner sharpness
• Faster focusing from two XD Linear motors
• Maintains pace with A9 III at 120fps
• Nano AR Coating II technology
• Linear response MF
• Ideal for both stills and movies
• 11 bladed circular aperture
• At 642g this is around 20% lighter and 13% smaller than the original
• 77mm filter thread as previously
• Moisture resistant sealed design

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens in More Detail

New optical design for even better results

2024 updates feature an optical design that includes 2 XA (extreme aspherical) elements to minimise aberration and 2 ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements to reduce chromatic aberration. The refined optics deliver sharper edges with overall enhanced resolution and rendering.

Users will also notice improved contrast performance, with the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens maintaining high sharpness and contrast even when shooting at maximum aperture. Sony notes that by using well-designed aspherical elements, the total number of elements is reduced, which in turn decreases the lens's overall size and weight.

Adding to the updated optical design is Sony’s Nano AR Coating II technology, which provides a more uniform anti-reflection coating to effectively reduce ghosting and flare across the frame. This is particularly noticeable with backlighting and when shooting towards sunlight.

11-Bladed Aperture Design

A rounded 11-blade aperture design creates appealing bokeh, and the second-generation 85mm GM II (SEL85F14GM2) also suppresses bokeh colour fringing and eliminates onion-ring bokeh more effectively. A smoother transition from the blurred edges of a subject to the blurred background is also achieved by the new lens. For example, an out-of-focus model’s earring blends better into an out-of-focus background.

Faster, More Accurate and Responsive Focusing

Through the use of two XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors, the 85mm f/1.4 GM II delivers a quicker and more responsive experience. The 2024 lens design is up to 3x faster, with subject tracking improved by up to 7x for fast, precise AF and reliable tracking.

XD linear motors are better equipped to keep pace with the rapidly evolving performance of current and future camera bodies. This is demonstrated by high-end lenses like the FE 300mm F/2.8 GM OSS and FE 50mm F/1.4 GM, both of which include dual XD motors.

Despite design updates Sony has kept a 77mm filter thread – a common size, which also allows previous gen. users to keep any existing lens filters.

Smaller, Lighter design with Premium Ergonomics

A lightweight and stylish design reduces the lens's weight to 642g, making it around 20% lighter than the first generation. The lens is also 13% more compact, thanks to a thinner, less bulbous design. An aperture ring with a click switch is also included, allowing for silent aperture changes when needed during moviemaking or when shooting during an event such as a wedding.

The new model also includes Linear Response MF with a shorter throw for a more fluid video recording experience, plus a focus hold button, which can be customised to suit individual workflows.

What’s in the box

• Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens
• Round shape, bayonet type hood
• Front cap
• Rear cap
• Case

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens (SEL85F14GM2) Specifications