p.3 #1 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
@darbo thank you for the images! I too see slightly more contrast in the Zeiss images, which is quite surprising in the f/8 case. What was the WB setting when taking and/or RAW converting these? Any chance of the light changing slightly between shots? I see there's some faint cloud cover...
p.3 #2 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
old-gregg wrote:
@darbo@ thank you for the images! I too see slightly more contrast in the Zeiss images, which is quite surprising in the f/8 case. What was the WB setting when taking and/or RAW converting these? Any chance of the light changing slightly between shots? I see there's some faint cloud cover...
Today I took all shots at the exact same white balance and didn't change it in post. It's possible the light could have changed, but my lens changes were pretty quick. Hard to be 100% sure. It was definitely overcast all day today, however conditions were very still. Images were minimally processed in Lightroom with lens profile corrections disabled.
There was so little air movement that I was able to take a 3-shot focus stack at F8 on the GM II. This was processed more aggressively in Lightroom and Photoshop...
ILCE-7CM2FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens85mmf/8.01/15s100 ISO-0.7 EV
p.3 #3 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
Unless you are heavily relying on 85mm for income or your main focal length, or you need more than 15 fps, I'd say a minty used Batis 85/1.8 for around $500-600 is a great value buy.
p.3 #4 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
darbo wrote:
No one asked for this, but here the lenses are at F8 - I'm posting this because imo the Batis shows superior color and tones. Look at the bridge supports - the GM II looks a little hazy a little washed out while the Batis holds a nicer tone..
Also, if you look at reflections of foliage in the water in any of your bridge shots (not just the f8 ones), I prefer the Batis's rendering of the reflections.
p.3 #6 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
Just catching up with this thread and read with great interest because I currently own both the Zeiss Batis 85/1.8 and the original Sony FE 85/1.4 GM. Have not bought the GM II version like I have for almost every other Sony lens I’ve owned and also because I own the Canon RF 85/1.2 L that I use on a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and previous R5.
It seems from review here that since I’m not making any money these days from my photography there probably no reason the get the 85/1.4 GM II. These days I use my Batis with my small A7CR and A7CII bodies and the FE* 85/1.4 GM with my A7RV’s larger body that handles the larger size and weight better. Also still have the Batis 40/2 CF and 25/2 to pair with it to get a constant feel and image quality across the focal range. Just not sure that upgrading to the newer 85/1.4 GM II is money well spent. Am I wrong?
p.3 #7 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
So you have a Canon R5, Sony A7CR, A7CII and an A7RV, and 3 different 85mm lenses plus others and you don’t earn money from photos? That’s a lot of toys.
Also, no, I don’t think you need the 85GMII lol
swldstn wrote:
Just catching up with this thread and read with great interest because I currently own both the Zeiss Batis 85/1.8 and the original Sony FE 85/1.4 GM. Have not bought the GM II version like I have for almost every other Sony lens I’ve owned and also because I own the Canon RF 85/1.2 L that I use on a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and previous R5.
It seems from review here that since I’m not making any money these days from my photography there probably no reason the get the 85/1.4 GM II. These days I use my Batis with my small A7CR and A7CII bodies and the FE* 85/1.4 GM with my A7RV’s larger body that handles the larger size and weight better. Also still have the Batis 40/2 CF and 25/2 to pair with it to get a constant feel and image quality across the focal range. Just not sure that upgrading to the newer 85/1.4 GM II is money well spent. Am I wrong? ...Show more →
p.3 #8 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
Hey, I don't fault you for having a lot of gear as long as you can afford it. I know people with 3 or more motorcycles, or 5 cars, or a jetski they use once per year. Who cares as long as you have the cash.
Reg the 85/1.4 GM II - I have studied that lens closely and tested it. It is ultra-sharp, great micro-contrast, top-of-the-line AF (esp with a9 III or a1 II), but same or worse bokeh as the 85/1.4 GM. If none of that matters, then I'd say stick to what you got. If it matters a bit, then consolidate, sell the rest and keep one great 85mm lens.
I personally think it is fun to shoot multiple systems, so having a Canon R5 II and their stellar 85/1.2 along side your Sony system can be a lot of fun. Now having both the a7Cii and a7CR on the other hand... but you don't need to justify anything to anyone. As long as you are happy, we are happy :-)
p.3 #9 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
KarmaKramer wrote:
So you have a Canon R5, Sony A7CR, A7CII and an A7RV, and 3 different 85mm lenses plus others and you don’t earn money from photos? That’s a lot of toys.
Also, no, I don’t think you need the 85GMII lol
You don’t own these lenses, have no interest in owning these lenses, and have no reason for interacting here except to do the only thing you seem to know how to do: Slinging poo. Awesome contribution.
p.3 #10 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
swldstn wrote:
Just catching up with this thread and read with great interest because I currently own both the Zeiss Batis 85/1.8 and the original Sony FE 85/1.4 GM. Have not bought the GM II version like I have for almost every other Sony lens I’ve owned and also because I own the Canon RF 85/1.2 L that I use on a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and previous R5.
It seems from review here that since I’m not making any money these days from my photography there probably no reason the get the 85/1.4 GM II. These days I use my Batis with my small A7CR and A7CII bodies and the FE* 85/1.4 GM with my A7RV’s larger body that handles the larger size and weight better. Also still have the Batis 40/2 CF and 25/2 to pair with it to get a constant feel and image quality across the focal range. Just not sure that upgrading to the newer 85/1.4 GM II is money well spent. Am I wrong? ...Show more →
I think you’re assessment is exactly spot on. It just seems to me, having used and looked carefully at the 85GM II vs the Batis 85, that the upgrade that the GM offers is very slight, AND the fact that you already have a complete set of Batis lenses suggests sticking with the Batis is the best path imo.
I will say, regarding size and weight, that Sony did another amazing work of engineering to whittle down the weight of the GM II over the original GM, so I’m finding it comfortable to use on my a7C II.
All that said, I do love the 85 GM II and will be keeping it and selling my Batis. My kit has evolved and is now mainly 20G, 35GM, 50 GM, and now 85GM II: which is nice and consistent just like your Batis setup.
p.3 #11 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
darbo wrote:
I think you’re assessment is exactly spot on. It just seems to me, having used and looked carefully at the 85GM II vs the Batis 85, that the upgrade that the GM offers is very slight, AND the fact that you already have a complete set of Batis lenses suggests sticking with the Batis is the best path imo.
I will say, regarding size and weight, that Sony did another amazing work of engineering to whittle down the weight of the GM II over the original GM, so I’m finding it comfortable to use on my a7C II.
All that said, I do love the 85 GM II and will be keeping it and selling my Batis. My kit has evolved and is not mainly 20G, 35GM, 50 GM, and now 85GM II: which is nice and consistent just like your Batis setup....Show more →
Thank you for your feedback. I agree with you.😎. These days I am mostly using my smaller compact bodies and found that the size, weight, image quality of the Batis 85/1.8 model meets my needs. Probably should just also sell my 85/1.4 GM since sits at home most of the time. Really only use the Batis and Canon. Sure I have a lot of gear but did use to be a professional and like the option of shooting both with Sony and Canon since the FE and RF lens systems each emphasize different things an photography I has been a passion since I built my own dark room when I was 13.
p.3 #12 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
darbo wrote:
I agree with your assessment completely. The GM II picks up some very minor texture/detail that the Batis doesn’t at F2, but it’s super minimal.
I’ll attempt some color fringing torture comparison tests per your request…hopefully tomorrow.
Hi, again thank you for your comparisons, which have helped me a lot.
This thread got carried away a bit and some time has passed.
If you ever did do the color fringing torture comparisons, I would still be very grateful!
Likewise any portrait comparsons at identical f stops (but with the latter do not bother, if it takes a lot of effort)
p.3 #13 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
I only have the Batis and do not consider it "light"
The MF is difficult being not lineair.
What about the new EVO Viltrox 85mm f2.0 Tests say it's shaper, lighter, smaller, has lineair MF an aperture ring...
p.3 #14 · Sony 85mm/f1.4 GM II versus Batis 85mm/f1.8 - comparison shots at f2 and f2.8
Chaliel wrote:
I only have the Batis and do not consider it "light"
The MF is difficult being not lineair.
What about the new EVO Viltrox 85mm f2.0 Tests say it's shaper, lighter, smaller, has lineair MF an aperture ring...
Most likely an excellent lens.
But this specific thread is about a comparison of the two lenses mentioned in the title.
If you have these two lenses I would be very interested in further comparisons at identical f stops.
