Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Review: The Lensiest of Lenses

Review of the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens with comparison to the original 85mm G Master.

Review of the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens with comparison to the original 85mm G Master.

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Table of Contents:
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0:00 - Intro & Disclosure
0:47 - Build & Functions
1:37 - Focusing
2:59 - Focus Breathing
3:28 - Close Focusing
4:24 - AF Hit Rate
5:18 - Video Autofocus
5:51 - Flare & Sunstars
7:45 - Bokeh
8:10 - Chromatic Aberration
9:19 - Sharpness
9:51 - Vignetting & Distortion
10:15 - Portrait Comparison
10:57 - Final Thoughts

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#85mm #lensreview #sonyalpha

[alberte]

Why am I watching this, I should be asleep, I got a homework pending, I don't have a sony camera, and I don't even have a camera.

[Francisco_Otero]

Sigma 85 1.4 is the real winner here! Thanks Gerald!!

[McMurdo]

The mark 1 had a notorious issue with making a grinding sound while autofocusing. Sony would not officially accept it was a warranty issue, but would replace it you pushed hard enough. Glad to see a new, lighter and faster focusing version. Strangely, I like aesthetic of the old bulbous body. Thanks for an another great video. 🍻

[mustakinhashim]

Something therapeutic watching a lens review

85 GM I was sharp compared to old EF and F lenses, but compared to basically any newer Sony E lens it isn't that sharp, even struggles to beat 85/1.8 FE which is sooo much cheaper
but at the time of release it was fantastic and it held up pretty well

upgrade from Sony side was really needed and so far it looks like they did a good job

[nothingtobeconcernedabout]

I saw the price at which you can preorder it here in Europe. The GM is RRP at 1799, but you get it new in stores generally for 1500. The new GM II was up for pre order at 2100. That would be about 600 more than the first version. The 50 1.2 is 2299, so the new 85 1.4 would only be 200 less than a 1.2 prime... I was for sure interested in the GM II but not if that is the price hike here in Europe

[niahrosephoto]

Been waiting 3+ years for this lens! Did not disappoint 😍

[richardt]

Nice segway to the Storyblocks read Gerald. Very natural.

[jeroenvdw]

Rare to see the Sigma equivalent being lighter than the Sony version!

[glovearm]

I replayed the ad 3 times, just to thank you for free.

[loudandclearmedia]

12:56 "Buy it or don't...I don't care"

Salesman of the month moves right there, man.🤣

[Miguel_.O]

Great review! Would love to see a comparison between the Sony 85mm 1.4 GMII and the Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG Dn Art Lens which is much less expensive.

[raw_pc]

Great upgrade. Improved in every aspect plus you get additional buttons. Sharpness is the most noticeable difference. Imagine if Sony made 85mm 1.2 with such attention to detail, oh boy. Thanks for sharing Gerold.

[spencerl]

At 10:25 the side by side portrait shots the new lens gives a much punchier more depth 3D looking image than the old one. Also the Fence and Rope shots with fringing were interesting. The Blue fringe on the white rope makes the image look more 'milky' like comparing a standard LED TV to an OLED TV in image. I'm surpised the conclusion was the new lens is slightly better because it looks WAY better. So much more image pop.

[aratafreecs]

Great video and representation of what the new 85 GM II is and isn't.

Sadly, I am actually not too excited about this lens. I am very happy with my Sigma 85mm f/1.4, which I got because the old 85 GM was quite a bit softer, but I would've switched for an 85 f/1.2, which is the lens I expected Sony to make to compete with the Canon and Nikon 85 1.2 lenses. I didn't think they'd make another 85 1.4.

[ldmndz]

Very cool..my older 85 1.4GM just gave out on me..this is a much needed upgrade!... Yes 8 years wait is crazy..I dont mind the 1.4...but to nit pick Sony had 8 years to come out with a 1.2!!!..come on!! and for them to just release a 1.4 II..is kinda disappointing...yes I will pick one up..but if Sigma releases a new 85 1.2..then I might have to certainly rethink about selling this 1.4 II..lol

[nuiizthanachart]

so damn hope it was 1.2
I'm sick with the Sigma close performance and a lot cheaper! Thanks for the review!

[dannyli]

As the owner of 85GM, I have to say I respectfully dis agree with you when you said : G master 1 is really sharp when against the other lenses, " in fact, I found even the cheap Sony 85 1.8 is sharper than my 85 GM at the edge, not to mention other E-mount 85 I own, the Zeiss Loxia 85 is day and night sharper than the 85GM wit much better local contrast, , the Zeiss Milvus 85 1.4 also sharper, and even the Zeiss Batis is sharper than the GM, the original 85 GM it's one I consider with least sharpness 85 mm I own, yes I own all those mentioned.. so I am not surprised at all the GM II is sharper than the GM1, it would be really disappointing if it is not.However, sharpness is not the #1 consideration for portrait lens, that's why I own one at the first place.

Looking at the bigger picture, when you compare this new 85 GM II to the competitors 85 1.2, I would say the GM II is still fall behind a little bit, as a multiple system user myself, I would still prefer if Sony introduce a 1.2 version with better Bokeh, with that being said, my Z 85 1.2 S and Milvus 85 1.4 is no going anywhere. if some day I really want a native 85 on my Sony platform ( because my GM was sold and anticipating the 85 1.2GM), , I will just pick up a used Sigma 85 dg dn for fractions the cost of the GM.

[sidvicious]

It seems that a lot of the newer GM are an improvement over the old ones with the exception of the 16-35 GM, which most are saying the 16-35 GM II isn't worth the upgrade. I would like to see the newer 85mm GM II vs Sigma's newest 85mm. Thanks again Gerald for doing this.

[anchorsanvils]

As always a very honest review and calms the gear acquisition syndrome symptoms. I have the Sigma 90mm f2.8 and I love it, small little package that delivers stunning images.