scottsoapbox wrote:
I just got my FE 85mm f1.8 yesterday and did some test shots last night and had similar issues on my a7ii. A lot of focus hunting and some lack of focus confirmation. This was in "indoor lighting", but not what I would consider "low light".
I did have the live view effect setting on so I will try some more tests, but so far I'm pretty disappointed with the AF. I'm not sure how much is the lens and how much is the a7ii. To be fair to the lens, I've been considering upgrading to the a7r ii as I've become increasingly dissatisfied with the a7ii AF.
I found the focus (indoors) pretty rough in regular indoor (medium low) light. Trying to focus on my 2 year old running around was a no go, and particularly struggled at closer distances...however, I stepped outside in a cloudy day and focus was nearly immediate from near to infinity. I'm planning to use this in a lightweight 28/85 hiking kit so it probably is fine, but it will take some getting used to relative to the 55mm F1.8's lightning speed.
scottsoapbox wrote:
Are you going directly from the camera to the iPad LR mobile or using the LR sync after importing to your computer?
I have just started playing with LR mobile and am wondering the best way to use it in my work flow.
When on the road, I upload directly from camera to iPad then import into LR Mobile (it's a two step process). I can do some processing on the iPad but the images sync to the cloud and my desktop. The images and whatever processing I did on the iPad end up on my desktop when I get home where I can finish. Sometimes, like with the images above, I remote access my desktop, finish the processing and prepare for upload here. It's a little clunky but it works well when I feel like posting here before I get home. My desktop has the tools for resizing (photoshop droplet) for web and framing which I can't do (or haven't figured out a way) on my iPad.
Faulta wrote:
Isn't it that the lens focuses stopped down on the a7ii and wide open on the a7rii? I read that in one of the first reviews... Doesn't make any sense though, what's the reason if that's the case?
If that's true, they won't be able to blame 'focus shift' for this one...
The question is: Would you still get the $600 Sony instead of a mint $850 Batis? I just checked the B&Sell and that's the sold average price at the moment.
This has been my burning question all along. I'll get it Friday when I get home. I have the ZM 85 which I've been using on a lot of shots here in Texas shooting these wind turbines. Sharp as heck this ZM so will see. I can return it if it does not work out. It's mostly going to be my studio lens and events so the AF better work correctly. It's just starting to rain. Shot with iPhone
Fred Miranda wrote:
The question is: Would you still get the $600 Sony instead of a mint $850 Batis? I just checked the B&Sell and that's the sold average price at the moment.
Fred Miranda wrote:
The question is: Would you still get the $600 Sony instead of a mint $850 Batis? I just checked the B&Sell and that's the sold average price at the moment.
I think I'd still get the Batis.
It's flare and contrast in backlight are great, and what I'm seeing at Jannik's review makes me think the Sony doesn't quite play in that league.
The LoCA is better too - the Batis is as good on that front as many lenses sold as APO, though that matters a bit less as the Sony is quite good.
I don't care about the Sony buttons. If every lens had buttons it'd be great, but since I have to set my camera up for the lenses that don't have butttons, I tend to use those controls for every lens to keep it consistent.
So the biggest plus for the Sony is that it's a bit lighter. So for an extra 250, sure. But the Sony is a great deal, especially compared to a new Batis.
DavidBM wrote:
I think I'd still get the Batis.
It's flare and contrast in backlight are great, and what I'm seeing at Jannik's review makes me think the Sony doesn't quite play in that league.
The LoCA is better too - the Batis is as good on that front as many lenses sold as APO, though that matters a bit less as the Sony is quite good.
I don't care about the Sony buttons. If every lens had buttons it'd be great, but since I have to set my camera up for the lenses that don't have butttons, I tend to use those controls for every lens to keep it consistent.
So the biggest plus for the Sony is that it's a bit lighter. So for an extra 250, sure. But the Sony is a great deal, especially compared to a new Batis....Show more →
Being lighter and a bit smaller is a plus for the Sony but to me, they are both medium size. (And much smaller than the GM)
The button is a nice addition but when using the A7RII (without a grip) in portrait orientation, it's actually very awkward to use that button. (Same for the GM)
Better LoCA, contrast and flare performance are bigger items to consider. If I didn't love the 85GM rendering, I would probably go for the Batis / ZM 85 combo.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Being lighter and a bit smaller is a plus for the Sony but to me, they are both medium size. (And much smaller than the GM)
The button is a nice addition but when using the A7RII (without a grip) in portrait orientation, it's actually very awkward to use that button. (Same for the GM)
Better LoCA, contrast and flare performance are bigger items to consider. If I didn't love the 85GM rendering, I would probably go for the Batis / ZM 85 combo.
Well that's what I'm shooting - Batis and ZM - and that's partly why the lower weight of the Sony is not huge for me; the ZM is for the situations when weight and size matter. For general travel and occasional portraiture use the Batis is a perfectly comfortable weight. If I shot a lot more portrait work around where I live I would be in the market for the GM or some other faster lens (if there was a decent adapter I'd be tempted by the Nikon 1.4/105 in this case. But there isn't yet)
I'm keeping my ZM 85 as well it's been awesome on this trip. What's been my issue with all the Batis lenses is the manual focus feel just kills it for me, it really bugs me. Has anyone done some side by sides with the Batis yet. My thoughts are if it don't work I may get a used Batis. I love the GM I really really do but the AF in the studio just is not cutting it. Bums me out. I'm going to test it against the ZM and see how color and contrast are. If it's close than I will be surprised. The ZM is just outstanding here and resolution. So that will be a acid test for it
Fred Miranda wrote:
Personally, I will continue shooting 85GM and 85ZM for now.
From the samples I've seen, the Batis has noticeably better contrast and colors look more vivid in comparison though. There are also some samples showing the Sony having some trouble against the light. I don't think you can't go wrong with either Batis or Sony 85mm as far as resolution across the image field though...expect a rave DXO review.
I know I just did it , but it's not really fair to compare new versus used prices since FE 85/1.8 (used) price will cost considerably less in the near future. We could have Batis at $800 and Sony at $400 by end of year...Making the Batis still twice as much. ...Show more →
Fred Miranda wrote:
The question is: Would you still get the $600 Sony instead of a mint $850 Batis? I just checked the B&Sell and that's the sold average price at the moment.
Perhaps when the Sony hits the used market in a few months and be half of the Batis
teh_rebel wrote:
Perhaps when the Sony hits the used market in a few months and be half of the Batis
before I bought this lens, I did research on how well the FE 28 held prices, and looks like it does a fairly good job at holding prices. Buyers thought it was a good value for what it offered. I suspect that the FE 85 will have the same fate, so I ended up buying new. Waiting a year for it to drop 100-150, wasnt worth it for me. I suspect that's what it will drop to come black friday or a year from now.
Some other observations from my shooting yesterday:
1) Yes, longitudinal CA is present....but only really becomes problematic at certain focus distances and wide apertures...like shooting at f/1.8 and focusing at around 15-20 feet or so. Closer up, it's present, but is fairly well controlled, and is better than most fast lenses at this focal length (notably better than my Canon 100/2, for instance). Purple fringing also can occasionally appear, but it's also fairly minor all things considered. At that further focus distance, though, the fringing really starts to ruin the bokeh, so it's best avoided in contrasty environments.
2) The bokeh is nicer than my first evaluation. While not as nice as the GM, and not super great at those long distances, at portrait distances, I really like the way the lens draws. I've become more and more impressed with the overall rendering the more I shoot with it.
3) It's been noted many times, but this lens is absolutely a razor when it comes to sharpness. It's a touch soft near infinity at wide apertures (though most people wont' be shooting at f/1.8 near infinity), but in the portrait range it's very sharp wide open, and at all focus distances it's tack sharp to the corners stopped down.
Fred Miranda wrote:
The question is: Would you still get the $600 Sony instead of a mint $850 Batis? I just checked the B&Sell and that's the sold average price at the moment.
That makes it a much easier decision for me.
From the early reviews I was aware of the differences in contrast and flare, but wasn't sure those differences were worth $600. But my indoor AF issues (that mirror what I've experienced on the FE 28mm f2) on the a7ii and a potential price difference of only $250, I need to look into the Buy-Sell area (I'm new here).
I was able to shoot some more with the FE 85mm at lunch today and will try to post more about my impressions of it on the a7ii this evening.
I'm looking forward to getting it Friday. There is talk of contrast loss with this lens. I'm just not seeing it, maybe flare is present. But it does look good.
GMPhotography wrote:
I'm looking forward to getting it Friday. There is talk of contrast loss with this lens. I'm just not seeing it, maybe flare is present. But it does look good.
I've seen flare but I have seen contrast loss. If it's there, it's not a big deal. Like you and others, I continue to be impressed by this lens regardless of cost.
, but it's not really fair to compare new versus used prices since FE 85/1.8 (used) price will cost considerably less in the near future.
