p.7 #1 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Well finally getting around to reading this forum thread on the new Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II.
Was originally interested in it since I’ve owned the GM I since almost the beginning when it first came out. These days though it’s not getting as much attention since for primes i use for portraits I have acquired over time the 35/1.4 GM, 50/1.2 GM + 50/1.4 GM, and the 135/1.8 GM.
Also, for reasons I can’t justify I also shoot with the Canon EOS R5 so I own the Canon RF 85/1.2L, 50/1.2L, and 135/1.8L.
So my question to the audience is how does the new Sony 85/1.4 GM II compare, IQ wise, at f/1.4 to f/4 to the Canon RF 85/1.2L. Anyone had experience shooting with the lens from both systems? While I like owning both systems because the two companies focus on different things spreading my money out across both systems has really got expensive and in a lot of ways the differences are getting smaller. If you have an opinion please share or if you know of a good comparison review please pass on a link to it. Thank you.
p.7 #5 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Just got mine a few days ago, so haven't shot that much with it yet. So far though, I am very impressed by the AF performance compared to first version. IQ is also great.
p.7 #7 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
JohnDizzo15 wrote:
Just got mine a few days ago, so haven't shot that much with it yet. So far though, I am very impressed by the AF performance compared to first version. IQ is also great.
p.7 #9 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
Take what I say with a grain of salt. I am no expert by any means. However I am curious about something. Here is what my experience has been with the 85mm 1.4 GM II. My first copy had some issues such as dust inside both under the front and rear elements. Not horrible but it was there. The aperture ring was sloppy and even with click engaged there was movement between apertures. Most importantly my images just were off. Like they built this lens at closing time on a Friday afternoon. lol. Can't nail why and subjucts were in focus but something was just off including very busy bokeh in some shots. I exchanged it. The new copy I received seems much better with no dust, aperture ring is perfect and the shots I have taken are beautiful including the bokeh. Not sure if copy variation can matter when it comes to bokeh or busy bokeh. I imagine any lens can produce busy bokeh if not careful with background. Anyway so far loving my new copy. One thing I really like about this lens is at 1.4 and adjusting my distance to subject and distance from subject to background I can really blow out the background if I wish or takes shots where I can still make out what is in the background while offering some nice soft bokeh.
p.7 #11 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II image thread (photo images photos)
wind30 wrote:
The background looks really harsh and busy...
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NJPhotographer wrote:
It looks that way because it is that way in reality, not because of the lens. The lens looks ok, imo.
I think you are both correct. That particular shot does look harsh and busy. But it is definitely due to those shooting conditions and setup (i.e. subject to background distance and background contents). Also, wife had me out there shooting these at about 1230 in the afternoon, which really didn't help. Attaching a few more without edits, and only the Camera Standard profile in LR applied.
