If you had to choose between the Sony 50mm f1.2 GM or the 85mm f1.4 for mainly portraits, which one would you choose if you could only get one over the other?
Having both I would choose 85/1.4 GM for portraits without hesitation (for more suitable fl,smooth bokeh,pleasurable skin tones and a special kind of glow,that creates painterly look at f1.4-2)
For portraits generally, I prefer 50mm because the subjects don't look as distant, and it's easier to create a variety of shots. But for headshots 85mm looks better.
another vote for the 85 1.4, for the reasons mentioned by Peire. The 50 1.2 is clearly sharper up tp F2, but mind that the 50 1.2 is actually more of a 48 mm. I changed to 50 1.2 GM and 135 1.8 GM for AF reasons. syrcular wrote:
If you had to choose between the Sony 50mm f1.2 GM or the 85mm f1.4 for mainly portraits, which one would you choose if you could only get one over the other?
Peire wrote:
Having both I would choose 85/1.4 GM for portraits without hesitation (for more suitable fl,smooth bokeh,pleasurable skin tones and a special kind of glow,that creates painterly look at f1.4-2)
Same. Sony nailed the undercorrected SA on this lens. There's nothing else like it at or near this focal length in native lenses.
Stevvi wrote:
…but mind that the 50 1.2 is actually more of a 48 mm.
I keep seeing people reference the fact that the 50GM isn’t exactly 50mm…that it’s really 47 or 48mm and I keep wondering: why anyone would care? I’ve even seen one person claim it as proof that Sony can’t actually make a 50mm 1.2 lens. Weird stuff to me.
Haha, well I could not care less either 🤣 but to some people it is important. I just wanted to point out, that the gap to 85 is even a little bigger. darbo wrote:
I keep seeing people reference the fact that the 50GM isn’t exactly 50mm…that it’s 48mm and I keep wondering why anyone would care. One person claimed this as proof that Sony can’t actually make a 50mm 1.2 lens. Weird stuff to me.
I would pick 85mm every time for portraits (unless it is mostly environmental portraits). I actually prefer longer for headshots like at least 105mm or even 200mm but it also depends on the facial features.
Probably, the 85mm. Your shots will take-on a more dramatic, artistic feel, IMHO.
For portrait work I use the Sigma 35mm f1.2 (just replaced with the GM 35mm ), ZA 50mm f1.4, Sigma 85mm DN and the Sigma 105mm f1.4 (infrequently, the GM 135mm).
My favorite portrait lens is the 105mm, but my next favorite would be the 85mm. I use a 35mm or 50mm when I want a more intimate feel to the shots. The 35mm provides a bit of artistic exaggeration, while the 50mm creates a very neutral perspective, which can be welcome for many shots. It might very well be the safest lens for rendering realistic perspectives, so you couldn't go wrong if you chose it - particularly due to this lens's great optical qualities and f1.2 aperture.
I have ordered the GM 50mm and suspect that my new favorite combination might well be the 50mm f1.2 and 105mm f1.4, with the GM 35mm also thrown-in to the mix.
50mm is my favorite focal length for couples or whole family portraits. 85mm is my fave for single head/shoulders portraits. The 85/1.8 does a beautiful job and is the best price/performance lens in Sony’s lineup.
I have both and while the 50GM is the better lens for general photography, I'd chose the 85GM for portraiture. The 50GM is way sharper, focuses faster, is slightly smaller/lighter etc., but there is something magical about the way the 85GM renders.
It's gently ethereal at f/1.4 and then modern and sharp at f/1.6. The character is different enough between these f-stops that it's almost like having 2 lenses in your bag.
The 50GM allows me to take environmental full-body portraits a little easier, as I often found myself needing to stitch 2 vertical frames together to get the fov/compression/bokeh that I want with the 85GM.
Agree with the consensus ... 85mm f1.4 better for tight portraits.
But be aware it’s focus speed is substantially slower than the 50 gm. If you’re taking action oriented pics or want more environment in your photos the 50 is your better choice.
I am mostly 85mm or longer focal lengths but just got my Fuji GF 80mm f1.7 (63mm something equivalent) and now I can see why some like 65mm-70mm range. I wanted to try that 50mm f1.2 too but my discount on it is gone. 85mm f1.4 is another 85mm IMHO.
