fredmiranda.com

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1 2 3 … 26

28 … 31 32 end

Archive 2016 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

GMPhotography
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #1 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Just update my 85 went in for exchange for a new because of the noise and feel in focusing. Fingers crossed I get a good one this time in that regard. The one I tested here was a stellar copy optically.

Apr 26, 2016 at 09:46 PM

sebbe
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #2 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

GMPhotography wrote:
Just update my 85 went in for exchange for a new because of the noise and feel in focusing. Fingers crossed I get a good one this time in that regard. The one I tested here was a stellar copy optically.

I'm sure you will get a good copy. Keep us informed. It would be a pitty, if GM don't use this stellar GM lens in his setup.

A note about my own copy, after almost a month in use: The AF motor still makes some noise, but it is much quieter than at the beginning. The throttling while refocus in AF-C is almost gone. At least there seem no camera shake out of it. AF in AF-C is very fast now and hits in low light (almost) every time without hunting (wide open). In good light there is no focus-time-difference between fast and slow aperture (below f9 of course). AF-S ist still slow and gets slower with slower f-stops (who cares

). The noise in manual mode and video mode is negligible now (it wasn't at the beginning). I did a resolution check, when I received the lens and reshot it after a while. There seems no difference in terms of resolution or contrast.

Now I generalize out of my described experience: It looks like some copies need some use to spread the lubricant properly. And some copies does not need that. Relating to quality there seems to be no difference between these groups, except that the loud one are not that reliable/silent until the lubricant is spreaded.

My use of the 85GM in this month was with around 6 batteries charges, 95% in AF-C and I had it every day in my backpack. So it was not stored lenscap-down the whole time. Maybe that helped to spread the lubricant too.

seb

Apr 27, 2016 at 03:25 AM

Davezp25
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #3 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Received my 85 GM a few days ago, lovely lens! I was worried about the noise, but find it not an issue, even new out of the box. Aperture ring, extra button and general feel are great. I Wish it was a tad smaller, as portrait orientation is a bit cramped, but that's a nitpick for what seems to be great performance across the board.

Apr 27, 2016 at 07:36 AM

GMPhotography
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #4 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Maybe this second batch coming in they may have corrected something. Mine is out for delivery in MA. To the dealer. They are going to check it against a new one that came in and hopefully I will get it by Friday. But end of day this is costing me money for shipping. But I just want a good one so I don't care what it takes because this lens has a death grip on it, I like it so much.

Apr 27, 2016 at 08:10 AM

virtualrain
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #5 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

ecarlino wrote:
.

Hey, I'd love to see some of your comparison shots throughout this thread but it seems you've edited them all out? Why? Is there somewhere else I can view them?

Apr 27, 2016 at 02:26 PM

GMPhotography
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #6 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Okay they did the exchange mine was louder than the new one being sent and they do have a new one in stock. 2 came in if anyone is interested Newtonville camera in MA. I will update when received and give you my thoughts.

Apr 27, 2016 at 04:42 PM

Lucinda
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #7 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

This lens is so addicting. For me it is worth its cost, Sony, you hit a homerun yet again.

Apr 28, 2016 at 02:56 AM

sebbe
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #8 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

GMPhotography wrote:
Okay they did the exchange mine was louder than the new one being sent and they do have a new one in stock. 2 came in if anyone is interested Newtonville camera in MA. I will update when received and give you my thoughts.

When you pick it up, you may check the AF speed with AF-C at f1.4 on both lenses? If there is a difference (louder lenses focus slower), it may be more than just noise.

Apr 28, 2016 at 03:00 AM

philber
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #9 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Nice, Lucinda!

Apr 28, 2016 at 03:32 AM

GMPhotography
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #10 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Will do but it's a exchange so don't have the 1st unit here. My first version was not just noise but felt like tension, or more gearing issue. I have a good feeling the one coming is better.

sebbe wrote:
When you pick it up, you may check the AF speed with AF-C at f1.4 on both lenses? If there is a difference (louder lenses focus slower), it may be more than just noise.

Apr 28, 2016 at 03:59 AM

themartinf
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #11 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Hi all,
I just registered for this forum after reading through this thread.
I just recievied my 85 GM today and think I might be able to contribute something here, using it with the A7R II with firmware 3.2:

For me after a short test, the main problem is that the lens does not open up the iris all the way for focussing. This results in very slow focus speed when stopped down, getting worse the less light you have on your subject.
It does not make a difference if you use "Live View Display" "Setting Effect" on or off. The iris in the lens does stay put at the value you choose.
Not only does that affect focus accuracy (ever tried focussing a dslr stopped down? you never know where exactly you focus... ) but makes this lens pretty much useless for working in dim studios with just model lights or at any place which is not in bright light. The viewfinder gain gets turned up all the way making the view laggy and grainy, AF is really bad, slow and loud. It really gets louder the less light reaches the sensor.
Seems this lens is really designed to be shot wide open, but sadly in a pretty odd way.
My 55 and 90 fe lenses don't show this behaviour, the open up the iris all the way to focus, or leavit upon till after focussing, depending on the menu settings.

Or is it me who is too stupid to use this lens which seems to be quite great in all other aspects? Am I missing something? I would hate to take it back to the dealer...

thanks,
martin

Apr 28, 2016 at 04:35 AM

sebbe
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #12 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Dear martin

First of all, don't expect performance of a sport lens. And as the lens has focus shift with different f-stops, it's vital to use the definitiv aperture to focus, instead of wide open focus.

Some tipps:
There is a big difference with the focus modes AC-S and AF-C. It looks like the lens is made to use in AF-C (and AF-S only after f9). AF is fast and very accurate in AF-C, no matter how much light is available. With slower aperture it gets a little bit slower and may hunt sometimes, but I didn't had much issues with that until now.
It is also vital to use the right focus area. Small spot may be too small to find good contrasts in low light. A bigger spot may be too big for the subject, but normaly the lens then focuses on the small subject anyway.
With EyeAF (for faces) or wide focus (for focus on closest subject) I had never any issue in a studio setup (flashes and low background light).
Also useful is to focus with back button focus. It looks to me, that the lens needs a part of a second to activate the AF. If it is already "focusing" it switches faster to a new subject.
And at the end, you can simulate "wide open focus" very easily with the declicable aperture ring and AF-C: Focus on f1.4 and close the lens before shutter release to your prefered f-stop. Thanks to AF-C it should refocus and avoid focus shift.

cheers, seb

Apr 28, 2016 at 05:19 AM

themartinf
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #13 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Thanks for the tipps seb,

I still think that it is not acceptable for a lens/camera combination with such a price level and aiming for pro photographers to not work in any mode flawlessly. Right now I am really disappointed

Focus should not ever get slower with slower apertures and it would not if the iris would open up for focussing, just like the iris on the 55 does.
This does not change in AF-C or any mode, the iris stays stopped down. Of course, if you only shoot at up to maybe f4 you won't see much difference.
Using manual focus is impossible with this lens when stopped down, as the iris does not open up. You just don't know where you focus exactly.
I did not expect super fast AF but something comparable to the 55. Until now I have been using the Canon 85 1.2 with a metabones adapter. Not perfect but at least the iris stays open. Always. Until you push the shutter button all the way.

Don't get me wrong, the lens performs beautifully, the ergonomics are great and the AF speed is nice, but only as long as you shoot wide open or in bright light. I wonder if a firmware upgrade could fix this and I would like to know if this is only with the A7RII or with all A series cameras.

cheers,
martin

Apr 28, 2016 at 05:48 AM

themartinf
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #14 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Went back to my dealer, tried another lens, same behaviour. Dealer tried to call Sony, no one answered the phone.
Returned the lens.

Apr 28, 2016 at 06:56 AM

tn1krr
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #15 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

themartinf wrote:
Using manual focus is impossible with this lens when stopped down, as the iris does not open up. You just don't

Anyone checked how the GM 85/1.4 work in MF with Live View Setting Effect in "off"? Does it stay wide open like the Batis 85 or FE 55 does?

Apr 28, 2016 at 08:26 AM

themartinf
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #16 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

tn1krr wrote:
Anyone checked how the GM 85/1.4 work in MF with Live View Setting Effect in "off"? Does it stay wide open like the Batis 85 or FE 55 does?

It always stays at the selected aperture, no matter what setting. Focussing in MF does not work well that way.

Apr 28, 2016 at 08:30 AM

Lucinda
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #17 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

Everybodys needs are different and I respect that, and I can only speak for me, but I didn't buy this GEM of a f/1.4 to stop it down.

I love me some f/1.6 and f/1.7 and that might be as stopped down as I go...

the magic happens with a large aperture..

POP!

Apr 28, 2016 at 03:56 PM

GMPhotography
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #18 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

My dear that image says it all. Absolutely has the mojo.

As far as AF is concerned through this whole thread i did not talk about it much. Reason being optically i had a gem but the lens had a AF/MF focusing issue not only noise but felt like i was tearing away at some gears or the AF motor itself. My lens was overnighted the other day, my dealer checked it and agreed and sent me a new one that is much quieter from his words. It comes back tomorrow. My only issue when I did AF was it was slow because of the technical issue. Im not going to scream and whine about this stuff. I mentioned it when i started this thread in the very first post and did not want to make a big deal out of it because all along i knew it was not normal. Apparently I guess this is how the lens was designed but honestly it worked perfectly fine for me when I did use AF , never missed a shot either at 1.4 through f8. My bottom line if it works it works and Im not going to go on about it. There has to be a solid reason why they designed it they way they did. Your moving mountains of glass but when i see results like the car above i get all warm and fuzzy inside. Now was that not the reason you took up photography. I do it for money but i also do it for the love of photography and results like this.

Apr 28, 2016 at 04:24 PM

suteetat
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.27 #19 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

I just picked mine up 2 days ago but had not had much chance to play with it yet.
Comparing to the video that was posted earlier in the week, the noise is still there but much much less. I tried it inside a relatively busy store and took it out on the street, I could not hear anything at all. I need to put the lens next to my ear while focusing to hear anything.At home, I could hear a slight one pitch whirling noise but not really enough to bother me. My Nikon 105/2.8 macro VR is quite a bit louder in comparison. Will try the lens at a local Comic Con this evening.

Apr 28, 2016 at 05:32 PM

ecarlino
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.27 #20 · Sony 85mm 1.4 GM testing thread

themartinf wrote:
Hi all,
I just registered for this forum after reading through this thread.
I just recievied my 85 GM today and think I might be able to contribute something here, using it with the A7R II with firmware 3.2:

For me after a short test, the main problem is that the lens does not open up the iris all the way for focussing. This results in very slow focus speed when stopped down, getting worse the less light you have on your subject.
It does not make a difference if you use "Live View Display" "Setting Effect" on or off. The iris in the...Show more →

Martin -

Firstly, your website is beautiful. I thought my favorite portfolio was going to be all the hot German women, but 'Papa' left me speechless - powerful moments captured by photography at its best.

As far as the 85GM, for reasons Sony hasn't disclosed yet, the GM lenses do not open up to initially acquire focus as has been the case with native FE lenses thus far. It would seem reasonable to speculate focus_shift is their reason, and their choice to only focus at shooting aperture would be a smart one if that is the case. The biggest question I'd have for Sony is whether or not the GM lenses are using PDAF if they are not opening up, or are there certain apertures or ambient light levels where PDAF does work and others that it is not used. For example, "non-GM, native-FE mount" lenses will only use CDAF if the aperture is stopped down beyond f/9 - I wonder if that becomes something like f/4 with the GM lenses? In the end, I'm not as concerned about 'how' it is doing things, rather what it is capable of and what expectations i should have in various situations.

When I am in good light shooting at f/2.8 or faster, it's quite fast at focusing. I never stop down more than f/5.6 - but that would be outdoors (city skylines, cityscapes, landscapes) and it still focuses promptly. The few times that I've been indoors in dimly lit situations, I've noticed it hunt and peck a bit more - but it still gets it (I'd be at f/2.8 or faster).

Last Saturday, I wanted to see how well it could keep up with my son as he played on the playground. The following shots are typical of the results. These were at f/1.7 or f/2 with Eye_AF. I would say that they are not quite as good as someone posing, but they are more than acceptable.

Your studio shooting is very different than these outdoor shots. If the lens has characteristics you prefer, would it be possible to add a few lights to assist the lens in its autofocusing? Also, as noted by others, different settings can help, so experimenting is worthwhile: size of focus, Continuous vs. Single, etc.

eric

http://www.ecarlino.net/share/TJC_LP/TJC_LP_%201.7_1-800%20s_100_85%20mm_2.jpg

http://www.ecarlino.net/share/TJC_LP/TJC_LP_%201.7_1-800%20s_100_85%20mm_1.jpg

http://www.ecarlino.net/share/TJC_LP/TJC_LP_%201.7_1-800%20s_100_85%20mm.jpg

http://www.ecarlino.net/share/TJC_LP/TJC_LP_%201.7_1-640%20s_100_85%20mm.jpg

http://www.ecarlino.net/share/TJC_LP/TJC_LP_%201.7_1-500%20s_100_85%20mm_2.jpg

Apr 28, 2016 at 07:20 PM

1 2 3 … 26 27 28 … 31 32 end
FM Forums \| Sony Forum \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 … 26 27 28 … 31 32 end