p.5 #1 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
philip_pj wrote:
It's fit for purpose (event pro/portrait lens), being what clients want - probably. They all carry phones and watch giant TVs, which are their reference point of imagery. But for some, it may represent a rare misstep for Sony in GM - an overly aspherical, 'bokeh first, subject second' image producer of measurably great sharpness.
The very fact it's being seen and discussed is not a good sign for people who think progress always goes forward, and never backwards. Their task is to flood the field with similar lenses, so you get accustomed to the look. And they are busy working at it in other ranges and brands.
But - now that all lenses are excellent enough, image quality is essentially an artistic judgment - a perceptual quality, not a metric. Even if there are those who wish to convince you otherwise. Only the best lenses go on to become classics. Nearly all of them are 'imperfect'. ...Show more →
This is well stated. Imperfections in modern lenses are what we call "character" in older lenses. I don't know if this GMII will turn out to be a classic, or even if it will become known for some specific characteristic. The fact that on a small LCD screen I immediately recognized it looked different than my previous 85's is exciting to me. I'm looking forward to using it under varying lighting and backgrounds to see if it truly has it's own signature.
p.5 #2 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Daran wrote:
Weirdly I always thought the art is in subject, story, light & composition, not in lens imperfections.
There's always the element of aesthetic and style. Different ways of interpreting the same scene. Different ways of telling the same story. This is where discussions of the painterly character of the MKI and sharpness and contrast of the MKII are legitimate considerations.
p.5 #3 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Clients want to see their humans in focus. Good composition. Proper exposure.
Next, they may see an artistic edit on an image. Some care. Some don’t.
And finally, only us nerds are grading bokeh as discussed here. Clients, no.
So why do we want 1.4 glass, because LIGHT. And because WE enjoy the bokeh, most of us.
The issue I think some here have, is that the bokeh is more sigma like. And the lens, albeit priced the same as the former generation (launched almost ten years ago?), is not cheap.
To me, I’m going to buy a Sony lens bc I also use it for sport. AF is important to me. As is resolution, future firmware capability and compatibility with Sony bodies in the future, build, possible resale value, return policy.
p.5 #4 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Dj R wrote:
And finally, only us nerds are grading bokeh as discussed here. Clients, no.
Clients are definitely not paying attention to bokeh as we are, but I think it makes a difference to them, whether they realize it or not. It may have only a subtle influence, but it's there.
I've asked my wife her general opinion on some images in the past that were done with the Canon 50 1.8 and repeated with the 50L shot @1.8. They were simple images of flowers with a blurred out background. She preferred the 50L 7 out of 10 times. She couldn't tell me exactly why, but the bokeh was a dominant component of each image.
With that said, I dont think any non-photog would ever comment on bokeh unless it was something dramatically different than the norm (I'm thinking Helios 44-2 bokeh). Slightly different might be perfect to subconsciously get their attention where they notice something is unique, but can't quite determine what/why. Maybe this lens will have that.
p.5 #5 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
MMP wrote:
Clients are definitely not paying attention to bokeh as we are, but I think it makes a difference to them, whether they realize it or not. It may have only a subtle influence, but it's there.
I've asked my wife her general opinion on some images in the past that were done with the Canon 50 1.8 and repeated with the 50L shot @1.8. They were simple images of flowers with a blurred out background. She preferred the 50L 7 out of 10 times. She couldn't tell me exactly why, but the bokeh was a dominant component of each image.
With that said, I dont think any non-photog would ever comment on bokeh unless it was something dramatically different than the norm (I'm thinking Helios 44-2 bokeh). Slightly different might be perfect to subconsciously get their attention where they notice something is unique, but can't quite determine what/why. Maybe this lens will have that.
They pay attention to the overall aesthetic and style of how you shoot, and really it helps if you're shooting gigs to have a distinctive style. The way the background renders is absolutely a factor in overall style and presentation of the shot that your clients like whether they realize it actively or not. There's also an element of clients trusting your stylistic expertise....they trust you to consider the things that they may overlook.
My particular style draws a lot of inspiration from cinema, PJ, and a touch of high fantasy. In all of these cases typically I'm not prioritizing critical sharpness and contrast, but a natural and subtle interplay between background context and subject to tell that story without allowing the background elements to dominate the frame. This is what causes me to pause sometimes when shooting with the 85 GMII. To DJR's point though, if your photos are not in focus, particularly for documenting key events like weddings, you're toast. So this is where I'm holding onto the 85GMII, even though I will probably never sell the MKI
p.5 #6 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
I was asked to shoot an event at work celebrating Diwali. Nothing special, really, but hope this gives folks some further indication of what the lens looks like in different conditions.
ILCE-7CM2FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/160s800 ISO-0.7 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/160s100 ISO-0.7 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/160s250 ISO-0.7 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/160s400 ISO-0.7 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/160s200 ISO-0.7 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/160s160 ISO-0.7 EV
p.5 #7 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Dj R wrote:
The lens only shoots at 1.4, didn't you know?
I hear you. You don't like it. Love you man.
Here's another. She's actually running very quickly towards me here.
if you're on a computer, you want to click on the image and then it cleans up.
LR had an update come out recently, and it doesn't have a new profile for our new lens.
Hahah bruh, it's all good Nice shots for sure, bokeh looks great! Just not my style for my bokehlicious nerdnesss
For the record it's all subjective. You'd never guess that the shot below was shot with a $500 lens that weighs less than your Sony...
But it was. It's the good old Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 RF, which weighs in at just 582 grams. Your GM II weighs at 642 grams... Focus speed is also fast!
Again, this shot was done by the Samyang, not the sony lens. Don't want to mislead everyone with this amazing bokeh from sayang
Canon EOS R6SAMYANG RF 85mm F1.4 lens85mmf/1.41/500s200 ISO0.0 EV
p.5 #8 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Here's a few from a fencing competition today. This lens is now my go-to for my kid's fencing comps.
However, while the lens can absolutely keep up with the action (using the A9iii) at 60fps (or higher), the 1.4 aperture and the crappy angles I'm forced into (due to crowds and venue space) does't give me enough DOF for the opponent, so I'll have likely have to adjust my shooting style a bit, like focusing on the opponent when shooting with my kid's back to me and vice versa, stepping back from the action, or stopping down.
The ideal angle for fencing is straight on with both fencers on the same plane, but that angle is rarely available.
I do experience this issue with other lenses such as the 70-200 GM II and 135 GM, but not as bad given the combination of the focal length and aperture of the 85 GM II.
Last tidbit, this is the only GM lens with XD motors in which I can feel the motors working while pre-focusing in AF-C. It's very feint, but I can feel it. It's still silent. It doesn't bother me, but it is semi-reminicent of the GM I in which you an both feel and hear the motors.
ILCE-9M3FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/500s800 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-9M3FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/500s800 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-9M3FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/500s800 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-9M3FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/1.41/80s250 ISO0.0 EV
p.5 #15 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
@Elijah
we went to sony for the best technology in combination with the best mirrorless glass offering
the sony 50 1.2GM is good enough to move people for that alone. 4.3" and 778grams. 4 motors, AF is incredible.
sony may not be for you. perhaps you look for more soul. which is a thing, I get it.
And the AF-C from nikon and canon has finally "pretty much caught up", but only with certain bodies.
the Nikon Z8 for one, is nice.
canon still doesn't have the DR that sony offers, and nikon (who is using sony sensors still).
canon also hasn't allowed us to "assign metering to the AF point". unacceptable lol!
both nikon and canon 1.2 glass is so much larger and heavier than their mirrored glass was.
I really can't comprehend it. they went backwards.
p.5 #17 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
It's crazy. I just looked at the pictures and only one of them stuck out to me and that was the one taken with the Samyang. I really didn't expect that.
p.5 #18 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Nifty Fifty wrote:
It's crazy. I just looked at the pictures and only one of them stuck out to me and that was the one taken with the Samyang. I really didn't expect that.
85/1.4 Samyang is a very nice lens. I have one and was very satisfied with the results. What I don't like about it and why I decided to buy GM II:
1. I prefer colors and contrast of GM
2. Samyang AF misses sometimes even on static objects (1 of 10, may be)
3. Weak flare resistance.
p.5 #19 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Nifty Fifty wrote:
It's crazy. I just looked at the pictures and only one of them stuck out to me and that was the one taken with the Samyang. I really didn't expect that.
When it comes to straight out of the camera pictures, Samyang/Rokinon (both, I and II versions) is really amazing. It simply has its own character, due to its flaws I guess, which means that when the conditions are right the pictures are striking compared to "neutral" lenses such as 85DN or GM II... Of course, this also means that there are situations where its character works against the picture you're trying to take .
Nice shots for sure, bokeh looks great! Just not my style for my bokehlicious nerdnesss 
I remember the old Nikon DSLR days. 
