p.1 #1 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
I have been using manual focus lenses on my Sony cameras for a long time now (I'm currently using the A7iv). The lens that sits on my camera 90% of the time is the Canon New FD 50mm F1.4. I love the rendering of lens so much, especially for portraits, but lately I've found myself craving the ability to focus more quickly.
I recently purchased the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM lens. I was a little concerned about the size/weight, slow AF and AF noise, but it turns out none of them are a problem at all for me (perhaps they improved noise issues with later production models?) The rendering of this lens is incredible (so dreamy!) and what a pleasure it is to be able to focus so quickly - the eye-AF feels very fast to me, but perhaps that's because I'm used to focussing manually!
So yea.. now I'm hooked on Auto Focus lenses, I need some suggestions for some wider angle lenses (with AF) that have some character. I want something for portraits etc. where space is more constrained. Perfect example would be where grandma and grandchildren were cooking together and I wanted to get the full context of the shot (28mm has worked well for me in the past).
I actually bought the Sony 35mm 1.4 GM some years ago, which on paper looks like the perfect complimentary lens for the 85mm, but I found this lens too clinical and lacking in character. Comparing the results to my trusty canon NFD 50, I returned the lens. It just wasn't for me.
I also had the Sony 28mm F2 (sold it many years ago), which I bought with my first Sony Full Frame Camera (A7Rii) and I really liked it! Some of my favourite images have been shot with the lens - it's got a nice character - but let's face it, it's not the sharpest of lenses. I could probably live with this lens, but I would like something of higher quality if possible.
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p.1 #2 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
rosewell wrote:
I have been using manual focus lenses on my Sony cameras for a long time now (I'm currently using the A7iv). The lens that sits on my camera 90% of the time is the Canon New FD 50mm F1.4. I love the rendering of lens so much, especially for portraits, but lately I've found myself craving the ability to focus more quickly.
I recently purchased the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM lens. I was a little concerned about the size/weight, slow AF and AF noise, but it turns out none of them are a problem at all for me (perhaps they improved noise issues with later production models?) The rendering of this lens is incredible (so dreamy!) and what a pleasure it is to be able to focus so quickly. - the eye-AF feels very fast to me, but perhaps that's because I'm used to focussing manually!
So yea.. now I'm hooked on Auto Focus lenses, I need some suggestions for some wider angle lenses (with AF) that have some character. I want something for portraits etc. where space is more constrained. Perfect example would be where grandma and grandchildren were cooking together and I wanted to get the full context of the shot (28mm has worked well for me in the past).
I actually bought the Sony 35mm 1.4 GM some years ago, which on paper looks like the perfect complimentary lens for the 85mm, but I found this lens too clinical and lacking in character. Comparing the results to my trusty canon NDF 50, I returned the lens. It just wasn't for me.
I also had the Sony 28mm F2 (sold it many years ago), which I bought with my first Sony Full Frame Camera (A7Rii) and I really liked it! Some of my favourite images have been shot with the lens - it's got a nice character - but let's face it, it's not the sharpest of lenses. I could probably live with this lens, but I would like something of higher quality if possible.
As has been discussed lately there are not a lot of 28mm AF options for Sony or really any FF mirrorless mount. You might try the Sigma 28 f/1.4, which is a bigger lens but that doesn't seem to bother you. It doesn't have a ton of character, but performs well and in several ways is a lot like your 85 f/1.4 GM (OG). In fact, I think if you like the original 85 GM, that you will likely like the Sigma 28 Art as well.
p.1 #3 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
Lenses on my radar:
- Sony 24mm F1.4 GM (will it have the character I'm looking for?)
- Zeiss Batis 25mm F2 (Could be a good option. I sure like the Zeiss look, although for some reason Batis lenses are regarded as overpriced these days?)
- Zeiss Batis 40mm F2 (same as above)
- Sony FE 28mm F2 (probably not sharp enough)
- Sony FE 24 mm f/2.8 G (I prefer a brighter lens)
- 7artisans AutoFocus 24mm F1.8 (need to look into this more)
- Sigma 28 f/1.4 (Added to the list, although might be too big/heavy for my preference)
p.1 #4 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
rosewell wrote:
I have been using manual focus lenses on my Sony cameras for a long time now (I'm currently using the A7iv). The lens that sits on my camera 90% of the time is the Canon New FD 50mm F1.4. I love the rendering of lens so much, especially for portraits, but lately I've found myself craving the ability to focus more quickly.
I recently purchased the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM lens. I was a little concerned about the size/weight, slow AF and AF noise, but it turns out none of them are a problem at all for me (perhaps they improved noise issues with later production models?) The rendering of this lens is incredible (so dreamy!) and what a pleasure it is to be able to focus so quickly. - the eye-AF feels very fast to me, but perhaps that's because I'm used to focussing manually!
So yea.. now I'm hooked on Auto Focus lenses, I need some suggestions for some wider angle lenses (with AF) that have some character. I want something for portraits etc. where space is more constrained. Perfect example would be where grandma and grandchildren were cooking together and I wanted to get the full context of the shot (28mm has worked well for me in the past).
I actually bought the Sony 35mm 1.4 GM some years ago, which on paper looks like the perfect complimentary lens for the 85mm, but I found this lens too clinical and lacking in character. Comparing the results to my trusty canon NDF 50, I returned the lens. It just wasn't for me.
I also had the Sony 28mm F2 (sold it many years ago), which I bought with my first Sony Full Frame Camera (A7Rii) and I really liked it! Some of my favourite images have been shot with the lens - it's got a nice character - but let's face it, it's not the sharpest of lenses. I could probably live with this lens, but I would like something of higher quality if possible.
p.1 #5 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
rosewell wrote:
Lenses on my radar:
- Sony 24mm F1.4 GM (will it have the character I'm looking for?)
- Zeiss Batis 25mm F2 (Could be a good option. I sure like the Zeiss look, although for some reason Batis lenses are regarded as overpriced these days?)
- Zeiss Batis 40mm F2 (same as above)
- Sony FE 28mm F2 (probably not sharp enough)
- Sony FE 24 mm f/2.8 G (I prefer a brighter lens)
- 7artisans AutoFocus 24mm F1.8 (need to look into this more)
- Sigma 28 f/1.4 (Added to the list, although might be too big/heavy for my preference)
The 24GM is the most interesting here and is the most similar to the 85/1.4GM in terms of rendering - lower contrast, softer bokeh.
p.1 #6 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
jeffbuzz wrote:
Providing examples of what you're asking for would help. What do you mean by "character", "dreamy" and "clinical"?
It's difficult to pinpoint why I prefer the rendering of one lens over another. I suspect it's entirely subjective, like a piece of art - one person might love it, another not so much.
I just know that subjectively for me, I much prefer the way the canon renders straight out of the camera over the Sony 35mm 1.4.
p.1 #7 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
28mm is my most used lens and sadly there are really not any AF options apart from the the Sony FE28 which I have owned twice and but could never gel with or the rathe large Sigma f1.4
the nearest I could find to that focal length that I like is the Batis 25 and I am amazed no one has ever produced a decent 28mmm for Sony
p.1 #8 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
Viramati wrote:
28mm is my most used lens and sadly there are really not any AF options apart from the the Sony FE28 which I have owned twice and but could never gel with or the rathe large Sigma f1.4
the nearest I could find to that focal length that I like is the Batis 25 and I am amazed no one has ever produced a decent 28mmm for Sony
I suppose there's always the Sony zooms to consider. FE 24-50mm 2.8 G, FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM, Sigma’s 24-70mm 2.8 DG DN Art, etc.
p.1 #9 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
rosewell wrote:
Lenses on my radar:
- Sony 24mm F1.4 GM (will it have the character I'm looking for?)
- Zeiss Batis 25mm F2 (Could be a good option. I sure like the Zeiss look, although for some reason Batis lenses are regarded as overpriced these days?)
- Zeiss Batis 40mm F2 (same as above)
- Sony FE 28mm F2 (probably not sharp enough)
- Sony FE 24 mm f/2.8 G (I prefer a brighter lens)
- 7artisans AutoFocus 24mm F1.8 (need to look into this more)
- Sigma 28 f/1.4 (Added to the list, although might be too big/heavy for my preference)
Get a used Batis ,those are really cheap and really nice . I got the first one ,the 25mm a few years ago . I asked in the Batis image thread how is it that those lenses are not that popular ? Check this thread out , those are very special lenses
p.1 #10 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
Garmadon wrote:
Get a used Batis ,those are really cheap and really nice . I got the first one ,the 25mm a few years ago . I asked in the Batis image thread how is it that those lenses are not that popular ? Check this thread out , those are very special lenses
Yea. Right now, for me, it's a toss up between the Sony 24mm 1.4 GM and the Batis 25mm F2. I will check out the images from both!
p.1 #11 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
Hello, I have the sigma 35mm f2 which I like a lot for its rendering. I've had the gm 1.4 also which was fabulous, but I can understand why you feel it is too "clean"
I've used the batis's in the past, but its af is not reliable. If I want an AF lens, I want at least that its reliable! Otherwise, I prefer my Nokton 1.2!
And... I agree about the planar canon (double gauss formula) I also have it and really like it.
Maybe you could try the zeiss 1.4 sony? But again, AF is not on paar with today's standart.
p.1 #12 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
Dave Sanders wrote:
The 24GM is the most interesting here and is the most similar to the 85/1.4GM in terms of rendering - lower contrast, softer bokeh.
I've been looking at the image threads and I agree, the 24GM has lovely rendering. I'll probably pick one of these up.
p.1 #16 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
rosewell wrote:
It's difficult to pinpoint why I prefer the rendering of one lens over another. I suspect it's entirely subjective, like a piece of art - one person might love it, another not so much.
I just know that subjectively for me, I much prefer the way the canon renders straight out of the camera over the Sony 35mm 1.4.
There's nothing mysterious about how or why certain lenses render colors or bokeh in a particular way. It's simple a factor of the optical formula. That old Canon lens uses a simple 7 element / 6 group design with no fancy aspheric glass. You'll find similar designs in basic "nifty-fifty" lenses like the Sony 50mm f1.8 and Planars like the Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2.
p.1 #18 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
Have you looked into Sirui 35mm f/1.4? I’ve been impressed with mine—center sharpness is excellent, and the bokeh is beautifully smooth. Autofocus is fast and accurate for stationary or slow-moving subjects, though it can falter a bit in low-light conditions. The only downside I’ve noticed is the narrow gap between the lens mount and the grip. My average-sized fingers fit fine, but I can see how larger hands might struggle.
p.1 #19 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
'AF Lens (with character)' it's almost an oxymoron when it comes to fine AF primes that are usefully small and light-ish in the 28mm region. It may seem that AF is an introduced species or artificial aberration.
Start with lenses from the same maker, and identify your criteria - weight-size-cost, etc. Look at image threads and YT videos. Hone in on your exact focal length needs, for the subject matter you need it for.
p.1 #20 · AF Lens (with character) Suggestions to compliment 85mm
rosewell wrote:
I have been using manual focus lenses on my Sony cameras for a long time now (I'm currently using the A7iv). The lens that sits on my camera 90% of the time is the Canon New FD 50mm F1.4. I love the rendering of lens so much, especially for portraits, but lately I've found myself craving the ability to focus more quickly.
I recently purchased the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM lens. I was a little concerned about the size/weight, slow AF and AF noise, but it turns out none of them are a problem at all for me (perhaps they improved noise issues with later production models?) The rendering of this lens is incredible (so dreamy!) and what a pleasure it is to be able to focus so quickly - the eye-AF feels very fast to me, but perhaps that's because I'm used to focussing manually!
So yea.. now I'm hooked on Auto Focus lenses, I need some suggestions for some wider angle lenses (with AF) that have some character. I want something for portraits etc. where space is more constrained. Perfect example would be where grandma and grandchildren were cooking together and I wanted to get the full context of the shot (28mm has worked well for me in the past).
I actually bought the Sony 35mm 1.4 GM some years ago, which on paper looks like the perfect complimentary lens for the 85mm, but I found this lens too clinical and lacking in character. Comparing the results to my trusty canon NFD 50, I returned the lens. It just wasn't for me.
I also had the Sony 28mm F2 (sold it many years ago), which I bought with my first Sony Full Frame Camera (A7Rii) and I really liked it! Some of my favourite images have been shot with the lens - it's got a nice character - but let's face it, it's not the sharpest of lenses. I could probably live with this lens, but I would like something of higher quality if possible.
I believe the Sony GM 85 F1.4 is one of a very few Sony "character" lenses. Most of the other GMs have that very well corrected look which I personally appreciate. But I also kept the original GM 85 F1.4 due to its unique IQ. From personal experience the Sony Zeiss FE 35 F1.4 also has a distinct look.
