p.21 #1 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
So pardon me for commenting as it maybe annoying to some
Im still going by my comments.
Version II is 200 kelvin warmer has more micro contrast and is a sharper lens at 1.4
The Bokeh im not seeing a tremendous difference but it is there but im not bugged by it.
What im a little surprised at is Version 1 looks very flat to me, now some folks may like that but for me am still leaning that I like version II better.
I like the punch
We need to remember here the background on this series is very busy . I tend not to do that and look for simpler designs in the back. But I know we are testing here so that's okay but normally as shooters we try to isolate more
p.21 #3 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Nice images Carlo. Your kids are beautiful (and very patient!). Nothing to add to the discussion, both lenses look great to my plebian eyes. I would choose the lighter lens with better autofocus, but that's just me.
Mystik wrote:
Ok more samples.
Things just got interesting. To Guy's point, SOOC doesn't always tell the story when it comes to the optics so these are processed, but use the same settings in each set.
Definitely a difference between the MKI and MKII, with the superior bokeh and painterly rendering in the MKI, but the stronger separation, micro-contrast in the MKII.
p.21 #6 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Will have to see more. I currently have the version 1 of the 85mm GM but also own the 35mm GM, 50/1,4 and 50/1.2 GM, and the 135 GM primes I will use for portraits. Also have the GM II holy trinity and not focused on portraits as much anymore just not sure I will get $1800 worth of use out of it.
I’m not sure I will eventually get the update even though I know I will see the AF and size/weight improvements.
Just wondering if anyone knows how the GM II version compares to Canon’s RF 85mm f/1.2 L which is one of the two other 85mm primes I own. The other one is the Zeiss Batis 85/1.8 which I will carry with me when I plan to travel if I think it get used.
p.21 #7 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
GMPhotography wrote:
So pardon me for commenting as it maybe annoying to some
Im still going by my comments.
Version II is 200 kelvin warmer has more micro contrast and is a sharper lens at 1.4
The Bokeh im not seeing a tremendous difference but it is there but im not bugged by it.
What im a little surprised at is Version 1 looks very flat to me, now some folks may like that but for me am still leaning that I like version II better.
I like the punch
We need to remember here the background on this series is very busy . I tend not to do that and look for simpler designs in the back. But I know we are testing here so that's okay but normally as shooters we try to isolate more
I like the Batis line for its higher contrast "punch" but don't like (in certain situations) its very "nervous" bokeh - for me, the 85 GM II fits perfectly between what i liked about GM1 and the Batis 85 - i've heard the GM II referred to as 'clinical' - i think it looks clean and fresh with that 'punch' you refer to and it's interesting b/c i haven't had the GM 1 for 5+ yrs and now that I'm seeing some sample shots from it again, yes, it has a nice look and it has its moments, but i feel perhaps it's being a bit romanticized, as in people are overlooking a lot of flaws for a bit of creaminess in the background.
I don't shoot "portraits" but take pics of family and situations and enjoy a bit of the background being somewhat recognizable (more wanting foreground/subject separation), albeit without distracting artifacts - and i think the GM2 is going to be a great lens for me in that regard.
p.21 #8 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
hiepphotog wrote:
Holy crap, are we really saying that the GM 2 bokeh is harsh? I am not sure which standards we are judging lenses but the GM 2 is a good lens. It might not obliterate the background as well as the GM 1 (partly due to being wider FOV) but to say it is harsh. I have looked through enough sample shots from Fred and Bastian to say the rendering of this lens is anything but harsh. I have seen more outlining from the Nikon Plena than this one.
Agreed, it is not harsh. The bokeh is fine, just as it is from virtually every other 85mm. That old saying "comparison is the thief of joy" can be applied to lenses. Comparing and finding a difference -- any difference -- can give the impression of finding some meaningful advantage or disadvantage. The bokeh differences are ever so minor, in my opinion, while bokeh is incidental to the subject of a photo anyway. I'd much rather work with a lighter faster-focusing lens than with one that gives a slightly smoother background.
p.21 #9 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
My take is that the lenses are pretty close in terms of rendering. Not as stark of a difference between the Batis and the 85GMI.
I think the question to consider is whether the GMII is worth the squeeze in terms of cost if you either have the GMI already or can acquire it for half the price of the GMII. Especially because although the difference may be kind of minimal, in some respects the GMI is a better lens. The GMII is an $1,800 lens so its not something to take lightly.
What the sample shots don't convey is how much better the AF and overall handling is. That's where I'm kind of torn. Going back my portfolio, 85GMI has been a bread and butter lens for like 6 years, but 85mm lenses are almost exclusively posed portrait lenses for me. I find the focal length awkward for most other things as it's too long to use indoors usually and doesn't have the useful reach of a true telephoto. So the AF improvements aren't necessarily a must have for me.
I don't have a 50mm in my kit so my inclination is to return the GMII, keep the MKI, and add 50 1.2GM. Or maybe I just stay 2K (with taxes) richer
p.21 #10 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
And people seem to forget that the GM was also $1800 when it was released. So arguably the expense from the GM II is just new release lens pricing. Invariably the older lens can then be obtained much cheaper used, or even new....since it isn't the latest version. Not that it was somehow a lower price at release.
(In the end this doesn't matter, other than it's sort of unfair to consider the GM II to be "more" expensive. It's just not discounted.
Mystik wrote:
My take is that the lenses are pretty close in terms of rendering. Not as stark of a difference between the Batis and the 85GMI.
I think the question to consider is whether the GMII is worth the squeeze in terms of cost if you either have the GMI already or can acquire it for half the price of the GMII. Especially because although the difference may be kind of minimal, in some respects the GMI is a better lens. The GMII is an $1,800 lens so its not something to take lightly.
What the sample shots don't convey is how much better the AF and overall handling is. That's where I'm kind of torn. Going back my portfolio, 85GMI has been a bread and butter lens for like 6 years, but 85mm lenses are almost exclusively posed portrait lenses for me. I find the focal length awkward for most other things as it's too long to use indoors usually and doesn't have the useful reach of a true telephoto. So the AF improvements aren't necessarily a must have for me.
I don't have a 50mm in my kit so my inclination is to return the GMII, keep the MKI, and add 50 1.2GM. Or maybe I just stay 2K (with taxes) richer...Show more →
p.21 #11 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Myself if I had the Version ! and II on hand I would sell Version 1 keep the Version II and get a nice 50mm 1.4 with that sale money. Not sure getting the 1.2 would make sense to me but im also not the biggest 50mm fan either. Frankly have not bought one for quite awhile. Im more a 12/15,24,35,85 guy when it comes to primes and really the only reason I sold the 135 was I needed more length but loved that Sony 135.
Im hard to go by as well I buy and sell a lot and mostly I like to try things but I will buy for gigs sometimes on the need side
p.21 #12 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
tsdevine wrote:
And people seem to forget that the GM was also $1800 when it was released. So arguably the expense from the GM II is just new release lens pricing. Invariably the older lens can then be obtained much cheaper used, or even new....since it isn't the latest version. Not that it was somehow a lower price at release.
(In the end this doesn't matter, other than it's sort of unfair to consider the GM II to be "more" expensive. It's just not discounted.
Oh yeah it's the same price as when the GMI was released, but today's market GMI can be had used in good condition for just under $1K or new for $1,200, and it renders better to boot. The real consideration is again, whether you need the AF of the MKII or not
p.21 #13 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
On price I think it's normal and fair but it is a lot of money to outlay. I would like one but given im not shooting as much these days or have that need for one its a hard buy for me. But I will rent one in a heartbeat if a gig needs it
p.21 #14 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
GMPhotography wrote:
Myself if I had the Version ! and II on hand I would sell Version 1 keep the Version II and get a nice 50mm 1.4 with that sale money. Not sure getting the 1.2 would make sense to me but im also not the biggest 50mm fan either. Frankly have not bought one for quite awhile. Im more a 12/15,24,35,85 guy when it comes to primes and really the only reason I sold the 135 was I needed more length but loved that Sony 135.
Im hard to go by as well I buy and sell a lot and mostly I like to try things but I will buy for gigs sometimes on the need side...Show more →
I could never fall in love with 50mm lenses. I've always been a 35mm, 85mm kinda guy. GAS is a hell of natural drug sometimes lol.
Gigs slower for me these days too which makes the decision a little more thoughtful than in the past
p.21 #15 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Mystik wrote:
I could never fall in love with 50mm lenses. I've always been a 35mm, 85mm kinda guy. GAS is a hell of natural drug sometimes lol.
Gigs slower for me these days too which makes the decision a little more thoughtful than in the past
Go for 50/1.2GM ... but seriously I think it does have a slight edge in rendering.
Anyways, since you have both 85 GMs, did you notice any difference in eyeAF triggering during shooting?
I've read one review stating that GM II seemed not to trigger eyeAF wide open sometimes, which seemed ridiculous, but then something similar is visible on the cherub's(?) sculpture in Dustin Abbott's comparison video...
p.21 #16 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
j4nu wrote:
Go for 50/1.2GM ... but seriously I think it does have a slight edge in rendering.
Anyways, since you have both 85 GMs, did you notice any difference in eyeAF triggering during shooting?
I've read one review stating that GM II seemed not to trigger eyeAF wide open sometimes, which seemed ridiculous, but then something similar is visible on the cherub's(?) sculpture in Dustin Abbott's comparison video...
No eye AF issues on a7cr and adapted nikon ZF. I can't speak for the older bodies
p.21 #17 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Alright so cranking through the photos where I was not taking comparison shots and just shooting spontaneously with the GMII, and where the GMI is the superior posed portraiture lens, the GMII is a better documentary lens. AF and more punchy rendering
p.21 #19 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Any owners of the lens able to check if there is a small gap at the focus ring?
The tension when turning the ring is also less compared to my 135GM and 24GM.
85GMII:
135GM:
Sep 30, 2024 at 03:09 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.21 #20 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Mystik wrote:
Alright so cranking through the photos where I was not taking comparison shots and just shooting spontaneously with the GMII, and where the GMI is the superior posed portraiture lens, the GMII is a better documentary lens. AF and more punchy rendering
Thank you for the shots you have provided. The GM II looks like a lovely lens, which is smaller, has much better AF, and is sharper. It looks like if you want a general use 85mm and you want the fast aperture, then it will be hard to beat and nice addition to the GM lineup. To my eyes it sure looks similar to the 35 f/1.4 GM, 50 f/1.2 GM, and 135 f/1.8 GM and seems to have very similar functionality. It seems Sony has settled on a clear model for their new GM lenses, although it is still early in learning about this lens. Thank you for sharing your experience.
The rendering comparisons was also very helpful to me. For me personally, I am more that happy with the GM I, but I can see why some would want the GM II.
... but seriously I think it does have a slight edge in rendering.
