I already ordered this lens. I'm looking for one thing AF speed. Going to be more my studio lens. I'll get a look lens in 135 to replace my GM. I might even buy back the 50 1.4 FE. I'm sad I sold my GM 85 as I loved it but the stop down focusing and AF speed was hurting me
GMPhotography wrote:
I already ordered this lens. I'm looking for one thing AF speed. Going to be more my studio lens. I'll get a look lens in 135 to replace my GM. I might even buy back the 50 1.4 FE. I'm sad I sold my GM 85 as I loved it but the stop down focusing and AF speed was hurting me
At what f/stop on the 85GM did you find that it became an issue to focus reasonably quickly?
I've never used the lens stopped down beyond f/2 except for a rare cityscape in sunlight, but I know what you mean with the hunting.
So many great choices now - the 50/1.4 is fantastic; curious to see if the Batis 135 suffers similar swirly/cat's eye bokeh as their 85.
The 85mm GM is more intended for available light shooting and not for studio. The excellent wide open or close to wide open performance of that lens will get lost for studio purposes, IMHO. I love that lens for what it is designed to be used and as such, I don't think I have ever shot it at aperture of smaller than f/4. My most common aperture range is between wide open and f/2 and occasionally I stop it down to f/2.8. As such, I don't recall encountering any hesitation in the AF performance.
At those F stop speeds of 2.8 and higher not really a issue. Working at F8 in studio with moving model was not cutting the cheese. I agree with Joshua its a outside type lens or available light. Great lens love it but I got money on the line so i need that AF speed that this new lens may give me. Batis 85 i just hate the manual focus. This is where this issue is I'm stopped down and i got a moving model. It does not always keep up. This is a catalog shoot so background gets wiped out
This is a Tuxedo and Choir clothing distributer that does a huge catalog every year. Its a two day shoot for me with about 6 models in total. Its a very clean make the cloths look awesome type of shoot.
Bespoked wrote:
Not sure what he has done (or who he is) and haven't read the article, but can confirm that having OIS + IBIS as opposed to simply IBIS only doesn't improve stabilisation as per my thorough, but admittedly non expert tests.
When I spoke to Sony, they themselves told me that the OIS disables 2 axis (I think, this was some time ago) of the IBIS system, they work in conjunction with each other, but IBIS isn't fully functional when an OIS enabled lens is attached, bolstering my opinion on the back of my results.
I could be wrong, but I've thoroughly tested this and spoken to a Sony tech about it.
It's one of the reasons I have the 85GM instead of the Batis, it was one less point of difference for the Zeiss....Show more →
My understanding is that OIS will become more relevant on longer focal lengths. The IBIS mechanism only has so much travel, and apparently longer lens shake can exceed its limits. Whereas OIS can be designed for the specific lens and the amount of shake/travel required. But I don't believe IBIS limits are an issue at 85 or 135mm. Maybe at 200-400mm.
Bespoked wrote:
I shot the 85GM before first light today, stopped down to f5.6 without issues, not sure what is going on. Yes it focuses slower than some other lenses, but so do my big glass lenses from other manufactures.
Bespoked wrote:
but can confirm that having OIS + IBIS as opposed to simply IBIS only doesn't improve stabilisation as per my thorough, but admittedly non expert tests.
When I spoke to Sony, they themselves told me that the OIS disables 2 axis (I think, this was some time ago) of the IBIS system, they work in conjunction with each other, but IBIS isn't fully functional when an OIS enabled lens is attached, bolstering my opinion on the back of my results.
my understanding is that when the lens has it, the 2 axis that are implemented in the lens are turned off in the camera b/c the lens does a better job than the camera can for those 2 axis.
Reading here that the lens focuses wide open instead of at shooting aperture is a REAL plus for me, as 99.9% of my shooting is seascapes in bright sun, stopped down to f11 or f13 for depth of field. Back when I had my A7R (I also use a Nikon D800e), focusing out doors with the 35mm f2.8 and 55mm f1.8 was a real issue. I am left eyed, and had to use one hand to shield the eyepiece in order to see the focusing image. It was areal issue, to the point I ended up using the Nikon more often, as it always focuses wide open. I tried everything: "SHOOTING EFFECTS" ON and OFF. The A7RII focuses wide open with those lenses, and also the wonderful 16- 35mm FE lens. I am an amateur, but do serious photography (to me anyway). I now use an over-sized eyecup, and wide open focusing, and all is well. Back when I was having problems, Guy was a big help here giving me advice. This is a great site. Thank you all.
Dave in NJ
www.modernpictorials.com
Already owning the Batis 85, I was curious if I could trade the batis for this lens and release some cash. Seems not that much, in fact a quote from a company i've used a ton (and normally give rates comparable to ebay sales minus the crazy fees) quoted a price for the batis which barely coveres the new price of the sony 85.
I guess i'll stick with the Batis for a while, not such a hardship though
- Build quality feels solid and appropriate
- Size-wise, it's a perfect match for the A7, very well balanced
- AF is fast, reliable and quiet
- Very sharp wide open at distances from headshot to infinity. Seems to be a little softer at close focusing distances.
- Moderate LoCA, but purple fringing at contrast edges, also in the middle and especially in the sharp area.
- Bokeh has got some structure, not bad but nothing to rave about so far
- No Distortion at all, have to double check that without electronic contact.
- Intense flaring and ghosting with the sun in the frame
So far, it matches it's price point very well. Sharpness is really good, the flare performance could be limiting for landscape work.
- Build quality feels solid and appropriate
- Size-wise, it's a perfect match for the A7, very well balanced
- AF is fast, reliable and quiet
- Very sharp wide open at distances from headshot to infinity. Seems to be a little softer at close focusing distances.
- Moderate LoCA, but purple fringing at contrast edges, also in the middle and especially in the sharp area.
- Bokeh has got some structure, not bad but nothing to rave about so far
- No Distortion at all, have to double check that without electronic contact.
- Intense flaring and ghosting with the sun in the frame
So far, it matches it's price point very well. Sharpness is really good, the flare performance could be limiting for landscape work.
Great write-up Jannik!!
I will be checking your rolling review as it progresses.
So far, it seems the advantages of the Batis is better flare control and lower LoCA. The disadvantages are more distortion and higher price.
Bokeh seems to be a wash from the examples I've seen. Same swirl and structured OOF area. (That's the biggest GM advantage)
Thanks, Fred I have to agree with your examinations although the FE 1.8/85 feels a little different in terms of bokeh. I don't have the Batis anymore, just the GM so I can't make a prove on that.
Take a look at the aperture series. I must say that this lens seems to have laser qualities
The file is too large for the forum, I linked directly:
Jannik Peters wrote:
Thanks, Fred I have to agree with your examinations although the FE 1.8/85 feels a little different in terms of bokeh. I don't have the Batis anymore, just the GM so I can't make a prove on that.
Take a look at the aperture series. I must say that this lens seems to have laser qualities
The file is too large for the forum, I linked directly:
