For a 85/1.4 I prefer the softer Bokeh, so overall I would take the Sigma.

Thanks for reviewing the lens! Unfortunately, it’s not the best choice for astrophotography since it tends to deform the stars quite a bit, which is noticeable in the sample images in the review. Also, just a heads-up, those lines you see aren’t comets but the trails of satellites passing through.

Sigma with a7cr and a9 no issue at all. I never want to change

Great review as always! Thank you. 🙏

The new 85GM is stellar but not 60+% percent better than the sigma.

I know this video is a bit old, but I was wondering if anyone could advise me on whether the Sony GP-VPT2BT is compatible with bulb mode. Basically, I want to know if I can start and end the shutter opening using the remote. My camera is A7 IV. Thanks!

Olson Forest

I saw some of your videos, and they look really nice. What setup are you using? It also looks like you are not using an ND filter but cranking up the shutter speed to accommodate the bright light outside.

Thanks for the review! I happened to buy the 50-400mm JUST before Tamron released this one...What do you think about the image quality of these two? Are there any noticable difference?

17:28 you can see the Sony is a noticeably wider than the Sigma, maybe a 2-3mm difference, for ex the Sony could be 83mm and the Sigma could be 86mm. That does have an impact on the bokeh balls and background rendering.

Thank you! Very helpful video.

This is so true, even 8 years later. For example, there are still no pro grade APS-C lens for the Canon R7. This is really frustrating. Canon seems determined to push professionals towards full frame when, in fact, many pros do use cropped sensors because they understand they are the best tools for some jobs.

hi, nice review. I have a Sony A6700 with Tamron 18-300 lens. I use a smallrig cage with its own type of dovetail mount and would be interested to know if this locking plate will fit? Also with the lens hanging out front would it be stable. thanks

Thank you for a thoroughly review as usual. I found this lens used and I bought it for my Sony 7Cii. It will be my first 85mm prime. I han only 55mm

is this a fingerprint magnet?

❤❤❤

Great video thanks. What about this low weigh lens f3.5 for astrolandcape photography ?? I would really aooreciate your comments about. Thanks in advance. Alberto

For me this is largely a portrait focal length.... And maximum micro-contrast is not something I'm looking for in a portrait lens. Would have liked to have seen some portrait examples.... But I'm guessing I might actually prefer the sigma for that application.

Does this work with the official canon battery

can you show how to pair the remote control its not working for me my version of the lens is v6

I am somewhat confused, these are asp-c spec’s lenses at 16mm. Does this not mean that the focal length on a cropped sensor is 16mm and not 24mm that you mentioned early into the video? if you used a full frame lens on an aspc frame?

I'm just an amateur and live on a fixed pension income. The Sony GM lens is 2500 CAD. What!!! Seriously!?!? Hard to justify but I see that the Sony GM lens has advantages over the Sigma. I need to start to save money but how long is that going to take!

A not buying decision :))) It's not 1.2!!! Case closed, everyone is dismissed. I go back to hating my Sony GM 85 1.4 Ver 1. and loving my Canon FD 85 1.8. I prefer softness, smoothness and great filmic skintones in portrait lens.

If the AF is even remotely as accurate on Z-mount, I just might be able to retire my a7III from portrait use.

120fps vs 15fps on the A9iii makes the Sigma a non-starter for me.

I don't understand how can be possible to test the best two portrait lens in the world, without shooting one portrait 🤷🏻

Based on the photos from your test, it seems to me that the Sigma is sharper. Is that really the case?

Thank you. This lens needs good light and think of it as an F8 lens and use accordingly. The high resolution of the camera body is not otherwise exploited. But still, never seen a Fuji lens that is not very usable. It's a Fuji lens!

Bonjour et merci pour ce test toujours aussi précis et complet. J'ai l'impression que la profondeur de champ du Sigma et du Sony ne sont pas les mêmes à 1.4 Avez-vous essayé de mettre le Sigma à 1.8 pour voir si la netteté n'est pas meilleure et évidemment le bokeh ne sera pas aussi doux ? C'est juste une réflexion… Encore merci et bonne continuation, un français qui vous suit 😉

Always thanks for your great review

Excellent comparison! Thank you so much, Dustin! I would imagine that the 85mm GM Mark i will have even softer bokeh in comparison. I own that one, and I absolutely love its rendering.

I would like to thank Sigma for making a set of stellar lenses for most of us. I have several.

jees, I didn't know this review is 4 yrs old & the handsome looking 11mm has been around that long. It is small & seems very well made & only $215 for that kind of barrel material finish. I just saw it in a b&h ad that flashed in my e-mail screen. I'd buy it if not for the 16mm w/SR/MC mount I have owned for may be 40 yrs. It's very good, very sharp & w/ 4 built-in filters but quite heavy. { added: now adapted MC--> E.} I wish it were the later MD version, just as good or better , but lighter. There was a R-mount version for Leica R bodies. This TT11mm fish certainly looks handsomely compact & lighter. Whoever's going to own it, enjoy. It's a different optics game demanding a diff way of seeing.

I couldn't always see much sharpness or contrast advantage for the new sony, but huge advantages in distortion and vignetting. To be honest I'm not tempted away from my "ancient" zeiss batis 85 f1.8. Plus it's stabilised.

Great review! My use case involves AF tracking a high energy dog running towards me at full speed. Would you recommend getting the Sony over Sigma, or is neither going to be able to keep up on an A7R5?

I`m at around 3k Images with the new 85 GM ii, its absolute fantastic. Nails AF every time, and the details are amazing. Even better than the 135mm GM, and i thought that wouldnt be possible

Great comparison! The real-world photos have slightly different exposure with the Sony having 1/3 stop more light. Maybe next time you can switch to manual exposure? And I guess the Sigma being a "longer" lens helps to deliver softer bokeh.

bro has philippine pesos 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🦅🦅🦅

I’m a huge fan of Sigma! I’ve owned both the 35 & 85 1.4 DG DN since they came out. No reason to change (I also like the look of Sigma image).

Your a hard working man!

Thanks Dustin, great job, but the sigma now 4 years old is still a very good lens!

Hi Justin. I just ordered a Sigma DG DN for my L mount cameras today on the used market and found your video later this afternoon ! Well, apparently the Sigma is already a great performer and I kind of appreciate more the background out of focus softness than the one of the Sony. Anyhow I can’t use a Sony gm on my S1R … I will compare this DG DN with my Leica APO Summicron 75 which is astonishing. If the Sigma is far from the Leica I will send it back … or in the contrary I will get rid of the Leica and recover some cash 😊 Great review again, as usual.

12:22 Did the color profile change between these two shots? The GM lens is totally de-saturated.

Thank you Dustin for the comparison. I have shot with the Sigma and thought it was fantastic. This video shows that the Sony is even better. I almost bought a used Sigma for $750. A brand new Sony, after taxes will cost me $1,950. Is the Sony $1,200 better than the Sigma? Money no object, hands down Sony. If cost is an issue, then Sigma both used or new is a great deal.

Double off-place but "still".. : If portraits had to be done by a zoom in the 70-150mm range, then this or the GM 70-200mm (mark II) ?

If you had the choice between this and the Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5, which one would you prefer?

This one or the GM 24-70mm f2 ? ..😁just teasing

Always love your reviews! I can't wait to try the 85mm GM II tmr :)

The Sony is better but for more than half the price the Sigma is amazing. Like unless one is rich or uses a 85mm literally all the time I can not see any reason to own the Sony as the Sigma is so good. I will keep the Sigma and know from this its second best.

Can you compare the size of the night spot and the blurring ability of the 85 1.4DGDN~ GM2, Canon 85 1.2, Nikon 85 1.2?