p.1 #1 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
I've been talking about adding a 85mm lens forever, but this week I'm finally doing it.
Use case: I moved to Europe and no longer really use a large camera rig. I mostly use it for documenting family, friends and everday life in a documentary style. I switched my a7RV to an a7CII, I'm largely happy with it (but I do miss a better EVF, but it forced me to change my shooting style, it is all doable).
I now mostly use the 24-50/2.8, but still have the small compact 24/2.8 and 40/2.5. I want to add a short 85mm prime.
I don't need the 85/1.4 GM II, thus I am opting for a more budget-friendly option.
Viltrox 85 Pro seems big and heavy, I tried a copy of the Sirui 85/1.4 but mine had issues and was returned. Batis 85/1.8 could certainly be an option, but it's not that easy to find a good, clean copy here in France.
The good ol' Sony FE 85/1.8 costs 425 euros right now (under $500 USD incl VAT), weighs under 400 g, and has the same 67mm filter. I know it is an older optical and AF design, not THE best bokeh in the world, but is there any reason NOT to buy and try it? Are current owners still happy with it?
p.1 #5 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
The Samyang P is certainly interesting, it is not widely available here in France, but you can certainly order it and have it shipped to you. 25 euro price diff over the Sony.
p.1 #6 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
patotts wrote:
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I tried a copy of the Sirui 85/1.4 but mine had issues and was returned. Batis 85/1.8 could certainly be an option, but it's not that easy to find a good, clean copy here in France.
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What issues did you have with Sirui 85/1.4? I have had mine since March and, so far, it's been a great lens with occasional focus miss due to swift movements of the subject.
I have read good things about both Samyang/Rokinon 75mm f1.8 and TTArtisan 75mm f2. You might want to look into those lenses. Both of them are smaller/cheaper than Sony 85mm f1.8.
p.1 #7 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
nepali wrote:
What issues did you have with Sirui 85/1.4? I have had mine since March and, so far, it's been a great lens with occasional focus miss due to swift movements of the subject.
I have read good things about both Samyang/Rokinon 75mm f1.8 and TTArtisan 75mm f2. You might want to look into those lenses. Both of them are smaller/cheaper than Sony 85mm f1.8.
My copy was too soft wide open, and had some central color issues (fringing?). It was not pleasing at all. I might very well had one of those early lemon copies, but if I get a f/1.4 I fully intend to use it wide open, and I need it to perform much better than my copy of the Sirui lens did.
p.1 #8 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
Mark Galer uses the Sigma 90/2.8 along with the 24-50G. personally my small carry around kit is the 24-50G, Sony 85/1.8 and Samyang 18/2.8. I think the Sony 85 is fine for general travel use and is cheap to buy and light to carry around
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p.1 #10 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
Viramati wrote:
Mark Galer uses the Sigma 90/2.8 along with the 24-50G. personally my small carry around kit is the 24-50G, Sony 85/1.8 and Samyang 18/2.8. I think the Sony 85 is fine for general travel use and is cheap to buy and light to carry around
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I had thought about that one, but I felt that it would be good to have at least one lens in the kit that would be faster than f/2.8
p.1 #11 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
RoamingScott wrote:
I'd be looking hard at the TTA 75/2, much more portable and has excellent sharpness and rendering wide open, roughly the same AF speed as the Sony 85.
Jeez, that thing is 229 euro incl tax and shipping?! You don't even get a Sony RX1 thumgrip for that ;-)
p.1 #12 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
patotts wrote:
I've been talking about adding a 85mm lens forever, but this week I'm finally doing it.
Use case: I moved to Europe and no longer really use a large camera rig. I mostly use it for documenting family, friends and everday life in a documentary style. I switched my a7RV to an a7CII, I'm largely happy with it (but I do miss a better EVF, but it forced me to change my shooting style, it is all doable).
I now mostly use the 24-50/2.8, but still have the small compact 24/2.8 and 40/2.5. I want to add a short 85mm prime.
I don't need the 85/1.4 GM II, thus I am opting for a more budget-friendly option.
Viltrox 85 Pro seems big and heavy, I tried a copy of the Sirui 85/1.4 but mine had issues and was returned. Batis 85/1.8 could certainly be an option, but it's not that easy to find a good, clean copy here in France.
The good ol' Sony FE 85/1.8 costs 425 euros right now (under $500 USD incl VAT), weighs under 400 g, and has the same 67mm filter. I know it is an older optical and AF design, not THE best bokeh in the world, but is there any reason NOT to buy and try it? Are current owners still happy with it? ...Show more →
I owned the Sony 85/1.8 and sold it after a few years. It was good but not great. It didn’t inspire me to use it.
I purchased the Samyang 85/1.4 II a few months ago and absolutely love it. Same price as the Sony 1.8 but the bokeh is beautiful and the colors are too. Plus I get f1.4. It’s a really good lens and I love putting it on the camera.
p.1 #13 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
patotts wrote:
Use case: I moved to Europe and no longer really use a large camera rig. I mostly use it for documenting family, friends and everday life in a documentary style. I switched my a7RV to an a7CII, I'm largely happy with it (but I do miss a better EVF, but it forced me to change my shooting style, it is all doable).
I now mostly use the 24-50/2.8, but still have the small compact 24/2.8 and 40/2.5. I want to add a short 85mm prime.
I don't need the 85/1.4 GM II, thus I am opting for a more budget-friendly option.
This makes me think you're a rather pragmatic person. For the intended use you mentioned, I consider fast, but above all, truly reliable AF to be the most important feature in practice. So, the Sony would certainly not be a bad choice.
p.1 #14 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
Nifty Fifty wrote:
This makes me think you're a rather pragmatic person. For the intended use you mentioned, I consider fast, but above all, truly reliable AF to be the most important feature in practice. So, the Sony would certainly not be a bad choice.
What you wrote makes sense for action photography, as for family photos even Samyang's AF is more than good enough...
p.1 #15 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
j4nu wrote:
What you wrote makes sense for action photography, as for family photos even Samyang's AF is more than good enough...
Some say this, others say that.
p.1 #18 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
When it comes to family photos, my high school age daughter doesn't mind an ultra-sharp lens, my wife less so... ;-)
I've learned that I don't enjoy lugging things around Paris. Here you get around by metro and bus (or rideshare bikes), so keeping the bag as light as possible is a high priority. I even switched out my Bellingham bags for a simple, ultra-light shoulder bag from Uniqlo, which also attracts zero attention from potential thieves and pickpockets (a frequent concern here). As much as I think I would enjoy the output of the e.g., the new Viltrox Pro at 800 g, before filter/s, is a no-go.
In many ways, I love the idea of a "character lens" but I'm not willing to sacrifice size/weight, AF accuracy and speed, or pay too much. I figured the Sony 85/1.8 might be a bit boring, but not a bad choice small a7Cii body.
It arrives tomorrow. If it falls short of expectations, I'll return it and try another route.
p.1 #19 · Would you (still) buy the Sony 85/1.8 today over...
had th 85 sony sold it and picked up the tamron 28 75 g2, the background blur is silky smooth and i dont even notice any difference in amount of blur compared to the 85 1.8.
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