Sony 85mm G Master II :: Near Perfection

Today Sony has announced the updated version to the 85mm f/1.4 GM portrait lens. The new version is a completely new optical design that comes in 20% lighter. The new lens also features dual XD linear motors which give you not only updated optics, but considerably faster and more accurate autofocus. This lens is a winner. It competes with lenses that are twice the price or more.

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Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
US of A

[sbai]

Thanks Ted! I switched to Sony about six months ago and bought the original 85mm F 1.4GM. No regrets! Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[tocatlian]

Big thanks, Ted, for your review of the Sony 85mm F1.4 GM II! I've been counting down the days for this lens to drop and itching to get my hands on it. My Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN ART has been my go-to for portraits, but it sounds like this Sony might be the perfect upgrade. I’m excited to see what it can do. Really appreciate your insight!

[samslife]

I own the first one and it is still my favorite lens to use . 👌🏻

[MedikationYT]

I really want to try this lens for my videos!

[jliang]

I actually like to see how this lens compare to Sigma DG DN Art 85mm F1.4 and that lens came out about 2 years ago on E and L mount. I think the current going price is around $750 which is about $1000 cheaper than Sony GM2.

[DigiDriftZone]

Especially as you're getting f/0.95 56mm APS-C equivalent here at quite a small/light package, pretty compelling.

[kesmishmidaskng]

I would love a 1.2 lens like the Canon, but Sony lenses are getting better and better.

[royprasad]

That last comparison (Mrs. Ted, I presume?) was very helpful. The Sony delivers just about the same sharpness as the 75 APO, at least at this image size. One could even argue the Sony was a wee bit sharper. If additional DOF is needed, the Sony could be stopped down any time to f/2, but the 75 APO can’t be dialed back to f/1.4. Seems like a no-brainer: the Sony 85/1.4 GM II + a used A7R V for the price of the 75 APO.

[rghurst]

The original 85/1.4 is optically sounds but it has some AF "quirks" that can get in the way especially for low light situations. I don't use this focal length enough to upgrade.

[paulchiu]

Is this 85 GM II now quiet enough for 4K videos at higher frame rates with A1 and A7RV in camera mikes?

[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!! certainly no excuses for it..im sorry but fine tuning bokeh and slightly sharper and obviously quicker AF..yes thats all good but why couldn't you put that towards the 1.2!!..lol Yes they can put the analytics and sales and price point behind it to answer the question of why they chose 1.4... but for some of us a 1.2 would be nice 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 I hope that they will still consider a 1.2 in the future..like the 50mm 1.2/1.4...releases..at least give people an option to choose..lol

[ldmndz]

The "Iris Lock" doesn't really need to be there..the older 85GM and even the newer ones like the 35GM, 50GM..when you put it on "A"..on the aperture ring..its really does a good job of locking and it takes a little bit of force to move it out of that "A" position even if the lens is in a bag moving around..just my opinion..but hey its there and the price point is the same..so not much really to complain about..lol

[nicocastillo]

Wish there are more portrait samples. Let’s face it, one of the biggest reasons you’ll get this lens is for portraits. I’m tired of reviewers shooting plants, rocks, trees, and other inanimate objects. C’mon man.

[kenn]

Hmm. Been waiting for this as an upgrade to my 85mm 1.8. But in Australia it's launched at $3000 v Sigma at $1300! Since I upgraded to an A7R v and G-Master 35 &50 mm (plus 70-200 28ii) I have not really used my 85 1.8. Which way to go ???

[vegansoy]

Leica price is for often being hand-built with stricter quality-control (hopefully), and then more expense for exclusivity and luxury connotation. These days, they aren't optically superior to the best of the rest.

[fooiyoh]

Yongnuo 85mm F1.8 is still the Sharpest Lens tested by DXOMARK

[adamginsburg]

This lens should have been released two years ago, it’s still outclassed by the Sigma in terms of weight & nearly double the cost. They couldn’t make a f/1.2 because of the 46mm E-Mount, so they elected to build a video-centric 85 Prime, as opposed to a portrait photographer 85 Prime, which Nikon & Canon offers. They can make a 24 f/1.2 Prime with Quad-XD motors & shock the world once again in 2025 in conjunction with the α1ii announcement. Does Sony have the courage to still innovate?