Budget Alternative: Sony 85mm f1.8 vs GM 85mm f1.4

In this lens comparison video we are going to be putting the GM 85mm f1.4 head to head with the Sony 85mm f1.8 on 2 Sony A7III bodies which are set up exactly the same. I share SOOC photo examples from each lens so you can see them side by side when it comes to portrait photography. I think I found a hidden treasure in the Sony 85mm f1.8 as a really solid, budget friendly option for anyone after an 85 prime for portrait photography. Let me know what you think in the comments!

PHOTOGRAPHY SETUP

Sony GM 35mm f1.4

VLOG SETUP

VIDEO SETUP

ACCESSORIES

AUDIO

LIGHTING

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Thank you for watching!

[jasonwrites]

Awesome video as always. Just a heads up to anyone reading this in 2023, if you have the Sony A7iv, the autofocus with the 85 1.8 is fast and very reliable. :)

[wxs]

In my opinion, you cannot say GM1.4 focusing is more accurate when it is too slow to even focus. I would say GM1.4 is definitely sharper and creamier than 1.8 when it is well focused. But, its slow focusing is a real problem, especially for video shooting. Hope GM1.4 II is being developed and will be released soon!!!

[gsp]

A practical, real-world comparison. Yes, the GM is better, but not $1000 better. A working pro, such as you, might need the extra focus speed for weddings (as you said), but those opportunities a fewer and farther between otherwise. I purchased my 85/1.8 over a year ago and have been very happy with it ever since...and I guess that’s what it’s all about. Thoroughly enjoy your well-made posts. (Although the music made me think I was on hold for a service rep 😂).

[der_Hannes]

Really like my 85mm 1.8. Best value for money with that focal length.

[simeonkolev]

The focusing results are a surprise for me :) I have the 1.8 and I have tested the 1.4 for a week. The GM is so much slower than the 1.8, I wonder is this 1.8 in the review a lemon :D. I actually used my 85 1.8 for years now and it is one of the best lenses in the system in terms of AF performance. It can even track fast moving kids wide open at 10fps with ease. But yes the GM is smoother and with the GM colors and contrast, I find it too clinical for my taste which was one more reason to chose the 1.8 which renders with more character and reminds me more of the old vintage lenses I like using from time to time.

PS to see the sharpness difference you have to test on the 42mp sensor at least ;). 24mp is not a challenge for both lenses.

[stheil]

With a model like that, you shoot top images with a polaroid cam :D

[andrevvve]

I’m always stunned by the effort that you put into your videos. Thanks for another great informative and good looking video!!

[clsi]

Do check out the Sigma 85mm 1.4.... love this lense. I thought it was well worthwhile upgrade over the Sony 85mm 1.8

[MingGongcoolmango]

85 1.8 is one lens I’ll never sell, it’s awesome 📸

[anthonymphotos]

this video helped me a lot, I've been getting a lot of blurry shots on my a1 with the 85 1.8. I was thinking it was the a1 body malfunctioning. Man this makes me happy.

[richlester]

Very good comparison.
I grabbed the Sony 1.8 for $600 at the end of 2020 when the GM 1.4 was $1800. The GM 1.4 doesn't seem like it delivers a greater performance for the price of 3 Sony 1.8s. You can add more bokeh if you must have it.
Until today I never thought about the GM 1.4 again.
The Sony 1.8 does this breathing thing when auto focusing, which can be quite annoying. If you are using it for video it can ruin your shots but you can use manual focus to get around that.

[sportkiteflyer]

Landscape hobbyist here starting my portraiture journey and this is a wonderful comparison video I'm going to use in making my 85mm lens selection. I might also add that I got a lot of good info about what to look for during a portrait shoot as well. Just felt like sharing that. Great job! :)

[michaellacroixofficial]

Wow, I was literally looking this up and BAM someone I'm subscribed to just released this video of it today!

[we_lo]

GM for me. I take photos of vehicles racing on and off road, fast dependable focus is what I count on. Although I don’t own the 85mm GM yet, I currently have 3 other GM lenses in my kit. Great video as always.

[KagoPh]

Whether I'm working or studying, when I get the notification for Julia's videos, I consider it a break time😂 The colour(SOOC) and bokeh from the GM lens is really good, for me it's the GM for the win! Awesome video as always😀!

[hokyung]

In my personal opinion, testing sharpness with modern lenses is unnecessary; most modern lenses are pretty sharp when they are in focus. I reckon overly sharp lenses such as the Sony GM series or Sigma Art series tend to detract from producing a smooth and pleasing portrait. If anything, we should determine the quality of a lens based on the smoothness of the outer focus area.

[ionataberham]

Thats great value for the 1.8, as to me loads of the images looked so similar! But we defo need that autofocus for weddings for sure. I have the Zeiss Batis 85mm 1.8 which works really well for weddings and portraits. i would be interested to hear your view on the Batis range for Sony :)

[derrickrr]

The GM has a noticeable color advantage. If it also has a focus advantage then it’s a no brainer IMO. Well that price tag might hurt the brain, as well as the wallet. I know you do not shoot a lot a video but have you tried these lenses? I hear they both focus breathe quite a bit. That would be a turn off for me. But I don’t know what else is out there in this focal range that doesn’t focus breathe.

[foxtailmedia]

Interesting that so far on the comparison videos you are the only one I’ve watched that the 1.8 did not beat out the 1.4 on quick focus capabilities

[orlandorolon]

I have had both. Sold my GM because did not do well with moving objects and very slow in auto focus. Only great when the model is still or the object is still. 1.8 is faster and bokeh not so creamy but does well. 85mm1.2 needs to hurry. Great video.