|
Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict |
|
Lens Reviews -
Sony Alpha (Full Format)
|
|
Page 3 of 3
Sample Images
Click on an image for downloading the full-size variant.
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 400 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Exposure | 1/80s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 400 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/2.0 |
| Exposure | 1/50s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 400 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Exposure | 1/100s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 400 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Exposure | 1/50s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 800 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Exposure | 1/60s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 250 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
| Exposure | 1/250s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Exposure | 1/4000s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/9.0 |
| Exposure | 1/320s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/9.0 |
| Exposure | 1/200s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Exposure | 1/800s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/9.0 |
| Exposure | 1/100s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Exposure | 1/200s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/9.0 |
| Exposure | 1/160s |
 |
| Make | SONY |
| Model | ILCE-7RM2 |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Focal Length | 85.0mm |
| Aperture: | f/1.4 |
| Exposure | 1/8000s |
Competition
There is a variety of 85mm lenses available for Sony FE mount. The most obvious direct competitors of the Sony GM lens (to the left) are the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 AF FE (center) and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART. If you are on a budget, the Samyang is a rather obvious alternative at less than half the price. Don't expect comparable quality though but you won't really notice too much of a difference on lower megapixel bodies. It is, however, substantially more light-weight and a bit smaller. In between in the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART which IS on the same level optically but ... look at that lens - it's huge. Essentially Sigma took their DSLR lens and extended it to bridge the distance to the Sony mount. It almost looks comical but if you don't mind the size and looks - why not?
Most of us don't really REQUIRE an f/1.4 max aperture thus if you fall into that category (as well), you may also consider the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 or even the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8. While they have a tad less depth-of-field potential they are pretty much up there in terms of image quality.
Visual comparison courtesy of camerasize.com.
Verdict
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM is an excellent example of what a lens should look like in this class - albeit it is still not perfect. It is very sharp at f/1.4 and outstanding when stopped down to medium aperture settings. Lateral CAs are very low even without image auto-correction. The quality of the bokeh is among the best that what we have seen in this lens class. The background bokeh is especially silky. It is a bit unfortunate that bokeh fringing is not controlled. To be fair though - very few lenses are capable of doing that (the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 for instance). The RAW vignetting is high at f/1.4 and the amount of pincushion distortion is also a bit more than expected. However, once again, image auto-correction comes to the rescue so you won't really notice this in processed images.
The build quality is superb thanks to high-quality materials, weather-sealing, and smooth control rings. A specialty is the dedicated aperture ring so you can choose whether to use this one or the dial on the camera. The aperture ring can also be de-clicked for a smooth adjustment when shooting video. The AF is fast and silent but it's no speed demon in this respect.
Overall, if you are in need for the extra speed and/or just want the best native AF lens in this class, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM - highly recommended!
Mechanical Quality:
★★★★★
What does this mean ?
|
