SONY 85 f1.4 GM II REVIEW: a MAJOR Upgrade, BUT…

[@SiIkyJohnson]

It’s the man who taught me photography 11 years ago. Fun to see the shirt, logo and intro haven’t changed a bit 😃. I’m back to KZbin because I’m thinking about upgrading my kit.

[@TexasPelican]

My husband was a Civil War re-enactor for years. Yes, you are correct. Be polite, stay out of the way of the actual reenactors and have fun!

[@JojoJoget]

Because of the focal length, the difference between f1.2 vs f1.4 for an 85 is minor but the weight difference isn’t

[@AR-vf7vg]

Yes. But no.

[@petrpohnan875]

With this logic you could say that the difference between 1.4 and 1.8 is small, between 1.8 and 2 is small, between 2 and 2.8 is small... It is not the right way.

[@sashinger5230]

@@petrpohnan875 Nope. The difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 is two thirds of a stop while from f/1.2 to f/1.4 (just like from f/1.8 to f/2) is only one third of a stop. And from f/2 to f/2.8 it's even a full stop, so f/2 doubles the amount of light in comparison to f/2.8 which is a pretty big difference.

[@petrpohnan875]

@@sashinger5230 You've missed the point. I am not speaking F-stops, I am speaking relative differences between the look of shots from each two pair of lenses. It is not night and day between them as it is for example between f/1.4 and f/2.8. It is just small yet still valuable and useful. Firstly read (and understand), then react. 🙂

[@sashinger5230]

​@@petrpohnan875 Nope again. Before you try to teach others stuff they already know just admit YOU are the one missing the point. Because no one talked about the pure look only. The initial comment already states the diff is minor. But then you equated f/1.2 to f/1.4 and f/2 to f2.8 which is bs. If there were no technical differences, nobody would plan, engineer, sell or buy these products. And you wouldn't be here commenting neither. Nothing of what I said is wrong, absolutely nothing. Same goes for the initial comment. So decide what your very point is then deliver valid arguments matching it. Also please read (and understand), then react and don't try to be a smarta$$ in the first place. 🙂

[@JamilahsDad]

One of your best assignments in a while - and that’s a high bar to clear.

[@TestarossaMusicista]

Incredibly tasty shots at the end. I really love the 85mm focal length.

[@first9279]

Finally you edited pictures in a style I like lol

[@GeertDelmulle]

Great review video on this lens, Jared, adequate and passionate. The results accordingly speak volumes! Well done! Thank you Sony and Jared. :-)

[@brandonmcmullen1553]

It’s 2/3 of a stop. No client would see the difference. End of story really. Glad they kept it light and slimmed down because of that.

[@FrankDiNardi]

Forget the beautiful lens, I think it’s the presets and the editing that make these photos ridiculously good!

[@ShiroKage009]

Vignetting gang! Thank you for shouting out vignetting. It adds to much additional eye guidance and intimacy to portraits. I always keep it. Sometimes I'm tempted to crank it up.

[@froknowsphoto]

Exactly. Eye guidance is the exact word.

[@lisap5615]

Great review! Thank you so much. I also truly love your Civil War reenactment portraits! The guy was right, these are definitely top notch images. The editing presets with a little tweaking really made an impressive difference to your final result.

[@vincentsolon3216]

The sniff test sold me!

[@JoshMainka]

Beautiful set of images Jared. I've been waiting for this lens for ever...

[@nocchin4018]

私は、この動画を参考にして、迷わず1.2を購入しましました。なぜなら、隅々までしっかりと解像した風景写真を撮影したかったからです。このレンズの購入をきっかけに、風景を1.2開放で撮影することが多くなりました。肉眼では見えない、一部がボケ、そして、もう片方がしっかりと解像している風景写真は大変魅力的です！

[@nickwilliams7867]

Personally I am glad it's a 1.4 the size and weight difference from the Canon and Nikons 1.2 is huge. Maybe Sony will bring out a 1.2 as well like they have with the 50 to keep us all happy. My only problem is i'm so happy with my Sigma 85 im not sure ill gain much buying this lens.

[@jliang70]

$1800 is how much I paid for Sigma DG DN 85mm f1.4 and Sigma HSM 105mm F1.4. Two very good Sigma for the price of one Sony.

[@JoshStreetDesign]

that 105 1.4 is my primary studio lens and has made me a CRAP ton of money. Every bit as sharp as this, and better bokeh.

[@xufancai]

I just ordered mine today.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

I looked at the slide show and never felt the need for any of the images to have even shallower DoF.

[@froknowsphoto]

Until You see them side by side. There’s a look that goes beyond depth of field

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

@@froknowsphoto Please make a follow up video with this GM II adapted to a Nikon Z vs. the Nikkor 85mm f/1.2 on the same camera. It would be a very interesting apples to apples comparison in terms of image quality, bokeh, rendering, etc.

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Well, with a wider aperture you cna back up and end up with similar depth of field but more image that you can crop around in. Having faster aperture is always better and with these high resolution bodies we can really take advantage

[@Anthony-df4bs]

These photos are absolutely insane. Such motivation for myself to continue to improve.

[@Richard_Bumblebee]

I've been waiting a long time for this lens. It'll be great for portraits, events and indoor sports.

[@ldmndz4652]

Very cool! .my older 85 1.4GM just gave out on me..this is a much needed upgrade!... Yes 8 years wait is crazy..I dont mind the 1.4...but to nit pick Sony had 8 years to come out with a 1.2!!!..come on!! certainly no excuses for it..im sorry but fine tuning bokeh and slightly sharper and obviously quicker AF..yes thats all good but why couldn't you put that towards the 1.2!!..lol Yes they can put the analytics and sales and price point behind it to answer the question of why they chose 1.4... but for some of us a 1.2 would be nice and for them to just release a 1.4 II..is kinda disappointing... yes I will pick one up..but if Sigma releases a new 85 1.2..then I might have to certainly rethink about selling this 1.4 II..lol I hope that they will still consider a 1.2 in the future..like the 50mm 1.2/1.4...releases..at least give people an option to choose..lol

[@JoshStreetDesign]

Agreed, I was waiting FOREVER for a 1.2....and YES THERE IS A CLEAR DIFFERENCE

[@RG-rm9jt]

Good review bud. My 35 and 85 are my bread and butter for portraits. Glad sony filled this hole in their lineup.

[@welliqphotography1447]

Those photos are beautiful...plus that preset is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

4:15 "Everything is at 1.4" => that's what drives me crazy about dpreview, they would post only a few photos wide open, everything else is stopped down or with strange numbers, like f3.2 for an f2.8 lens.

[@kenn6592]

I've been waiting for this lens as a replacement for my 85 1.8 on my R5. But it's expensive and I wasn't convinced until I watched your review. I must have one! Don't expect me to thank you for this😬!

[@jettubby17]

Great shots Jared! 👍🏻

[@BankVaultFilms]

Your photo works are amazing

[@videos360grados4]

Thanks for this video -demo.

[@bruceman007]

i shoot reenactments a lot using my sony a7-iii and my 24-105 f4.. thanks for the video

[@DrUndoTattoo]

LOL Just as I was going to ask if you used the preset and then you said Coppertone. I have all 4 and love them, many times they a prefect but like you said tweaking them really makes the shots your own.

[@MaawiyVisuals2024]

I do find myself adding vignetting as well.. 😂😂 this lens is sweet!!

[@winther5]

Great review! You said the 1.4 version 1 was ok with cameras for the time it was released, but can't keep up with the AF on current cameras. I am still shooting on a Sony A9 - do you think the camera offers enough AF power to take advantage of the 85mm II ?

[@StoicJason]

Great photos, Fro!

[@christophewagner4028]

Very nice portraits ! thanks ! (you also had a very good light that day)

[@bene-gb9tx]

Sniff test let's goooo! but looking forward to seeing the comparison in between Sigma 85 1.4

[@cyrilhamel8289]

Very good review! Nice pics 👍🏻

[@Joyofvision99]

Unfortunately for us Sony shooters, 85 1.2 is probably never happening due to the limitation of the smaller E-mount from what I understand. None the less, no other manufacturer creates lenses so optically great at a reasonable weight. The new Nikkors are excellent, but heavy AF

[@jujuxl]

Finally !!! 🎉

[@tomirwinphoto]

Any thoughts on how it compares with my Sigma 85 1.4?

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Slightly faster focusing, full 30fps (Due to sony limiting 3rd party lenses) and $700 more expensive than what you can buy the Sigma 85mm f1.4. He talks about the sigma at 12:10 of the video

[@tomirwinphoto]

@@CallMeRabbitzUSVI That only counts if your camera is an A1 or a9III. The rest of Sony bodies cap at about 10 fps.

[@flochfitness]

I appreciate that you compared this to the sigma. Thank you

[@JoshStreetDesign]

he really didn't though, lol

[@TheJeof1000]

New in editing here.. is will your preset works in lr mobile? Thanks

[@sandeeptanjore1253]

Jared - great and educative content! Out of curiosity - why did you shoot the image at 1/4000 speed when the object is stationary?

[@Jamie-kv1uv]

Yes that puzzles me too. Why have iso 320 if you could at a slower shutter speed dramatically and still be more than fast enough at say 640/1 with an iso 100.

[@sandeeptanjore1253]

@@Jamie-kv1uv No response yet from JP 🙂

[@joseluisjimenez5882]

Is it worth the upgrade? I have the old version and i don’t need the focusing speed🤔🤔🤔. Greaaaaaaaaaat picturessssssss Fro 👏🏼👏🏼

[@RichardLiloc]

Tamron 85mm f1.8 has stabilization and it takes superb images.

[@JoshStreetDesign]

tamron color and rendering isn't even close.

[@tomasrybka3548]

Hi FRO, do you think the new 85mm GM ii or the sigma 85mm 1.4 ART is better?

[@jaegerschtulmann]

IMO this lens renders better than the rf85f1.2

[@YmMa-uj9if]

When did you go blind bro?

[@livejames9374]

From what I’ve seen the sigma renders better than this lens. RF 85 1.2 is special

[@chrisahern21]

I’m blown away with how good Coppertone looked on these shots 🤩. Don’t want to make FroPack for Photomator by any chance? 😅

[@Trident_Media7104]

Jared, what field monitor are you using to record your cameras display like that? ❤

[@stepheneckert4006]

Atomos ninja V

[@AR-vf7vg]

Not an GM 75mm f1.2 ? "Just kidding". But I do believe they would rock all the boats at once if THEY did THAT. Yes, I agree..Garbage was my GM 85 m.1. And such a relief the DGDN version and i had some cash left from the buyer who did refuse to know about Sigma. If only I knew the GM 24-70 f2 is going to be reality. Whait and see. For the comparisons also of this 85 m2 and the DGDN. (And we're not safe from a sudden GM 85 f1,2. Although that would be mean by Sony, I then would indeed part from my Sigma.)

[@MrHAJ]

Comparison between rf 85 1.2 and this glass please 🙏🏼

[@crowtheri]

Canon is better….. 👍

[@buzzj89]

Awsome photos!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

I dont know what Sony is thinking. This should have been a 1.2 hands down. The 85mm 1.2 is an untapped market for Sony because NOBODY makes a 1.2 for Sony E mount. Not sigma , tamron nobody. This was a complete overlook and trying to compare the sales of the 50mm to estimate what the 85 will do was just dumb. Now when Sigma drops the first 85mm 1.2 for Sony E mount they will regret it . Whoever dropped the 85 1.2 for Sony would've sold like crazy and Sony completely missed the opportunity especially when the Sigma 85 is so close to accuracy of this lens and not that far up. So dumb. Sigma your up, hopefully they do not make the same mistake. It's just crazy to me how the 85 1.2 is untapped and nobody is gonna come get this money. Sigma will make a 1.2 and completely steal the temporary light of the GM II. I will continue to rock my Sigma 85 1.4, until they drop the 1.2

[@Sepia1989]

1.2 is impossible for E Mount bro. Neither Sony nor Sigma would be able to do it. Sony achieved scientific marvel when they successfully corporated E-mount into a full frame body. Now it's holding them down.

[@JoshStreetDesign]

@@Sepia1989 then tell me how come I can easily adapt the magical Canon EF 85 1.2ii with no problem? They can do it.

[@PowerOnPlay]

@@Sepia1989”The lens FE 50mm f/1.2 GM 'SEL50F12GM' for the digital single-lens camera α [E-mount] was released on April 23, 2021.” Are you talking about the 85mm size that cannot go to 1.2?

[@Sepia1989]

@@PowerOnPlay yes sorry, i mean 85mm and above. The E-mount which was their proud achievement proved to be too small for a long F1.2 lens. While Canon and Nikon can easily make one. 50mm F1.2 is the E-mount's limit.

[@JojoJoget]

@@Sepia1989lmao that’s bullshit, its easier to make lenses longer than it is to make them wider

[@80-80.]

If you want f1.2 you have to go to Canon and Nikon.

[@silence1s3]

Love your David star!! Love from Israel 🇮🇱

[@Jnewtonwright]

Great video amazing photos. I’m not a professional yet and shoot with an A7r4 and I don’t do sports so the Sigma would be my choice but I love this lens.

[@MrCoolAttitude]

Better be late than never.

[@JosephTMyers]

if you shoot on an older A7RIV what is maximum frame rate? Probably not the 120 but maybe 30-60fps?

[@froknowsphoto]

15

[@jliang70]

10 fps.

[@JosephTMyers]

@@froknowsphoto that's what one would get with Sigma right, so unless you have the A9III or A1 investment it isn't worth it for fast movers unless you just want the sharpness

[@JoshStreetDesign]

@@JosephTMyers the sigma isn't soft, lol

[@JojoJoget]

@@JosephTMyerssince when are Sigmas soft?

[@harshbiozone]

wt abt upgrade bw 85mm GM I vs II ?

[@donwhite332]

I guess it's time to switch back to Sony!

[@perfectposes]

You calling first version garage Stressed me out. Please advise, I can sell the first version for $1480, im gonna have to add about $450 out of my pocket to upgrade to version two. Does it worth for me?

[@djrease7354]

If the F1.2 was released I’d buy 2 of them … one for use and the other as a mint collection.. I don’t care if it’s twice as heavy or as large.. I want the heavier larger diameter glass for photography work…if it needs to be bigger than canon then great…I’ll use a mono pod..The buttery images are worth it as a photographer.. Everyone that bought the sigma 85mm 1.4 will just keep the sigma.. why not … Especially if you already have the 50mm F1.2..the 85mm F1.4 GM II was a mistake.. they should have released the 85mm F1.2 first like the 50mm f1.2 to compete with sigma.. Sad but good that we are getting some action from Sony..Waiting for the F1.2 monster which will be Sony’s best prime lens ever… and they know it… lol

[@mountains_and_moors]

Whoop 🙌 only a year or two late 😂

[@maddawgzzzz]

Yeah not sure why they would kick themselves waiting to release this so long, especially when other brands have had the upper hand on the 85 for 3+ years now.

[@Jambo1999]

They "stacked" their muskets.

[@jujuxl]

The photographer is responsible for the quality of his photos, not his equipment… even if such a high-level lens magnifies his work. Excellent photos! Bravo Jared! 😊

[@shtrudel-pu1cm]

very nice

[@jimmaherphotography6245]

Honestly, as the focal length gets longer the ‘need’ for larger apertures like F1.2 diminishes due to compression. You get very creamy backgrounds from smaller apertures at longer focal lengths for that reason, for example a 135mm F1.8 shot at 1.8 will have a softer and creamier dof than a 50mm F1.4 shot at 1.4 due to the compression difference. The argument for the extra light in modern cameras becomes defunct too, with reliable high ISO’s in body stabilisation etc, if you can’t shoot without F1.2 you’re not a professional photographer, and if you’re not a professional photographer why are you even spending stupid money for such a lens when the relative difference over a cheaper F1.8 is so minor? 😂 After spending years shooting on medium format film cameras with no auto focus and the biggest aperture F2.8 (which on medium format has softer dof than F1.4 on many 35mm lenses) I find all these extras lovely but increasingly pointless… This lens looks lovely and F1.4 is MORE than enough!!

[@Lucenafoto]

Sony knows that the ones who are moving the market are filmmakers and they, for the most part, prioritize size and lightness and don't need 1.2 as much. =(

[@morvegil]

Does it be a the 1.2 RF

[@tonygerassi1502]

The Sony GMii is $1800, the RF is $2800. That’s a big price difference for a larger, heavier, massive chunk of a lens so you can go from paper thin depth of field to ultra hair thin depth of field. Check out the digital picture when he gets his review up and you can compare the lens and aperture’s on the site

[@crowtheri]

The canon lens is better and the market leading lens at this focal length.

[@livejames9374]

@@crowtherino it isn’t

[@macbaar6073]

why a mew lens has no price drop effect on others?

[@CoffeeSupremacy712]

Why am I even watching a Sony review. I'm on Canon system. lol

[@JamesCocherell]

Same reason I watch all the Canon and Nikon ones, because we're camera nerds.

[@DavidVYoutube]

You said the sigma is not going to give you the 120 FPS like it's the lens fault but let's be honest it's software limited by Sony. Something that was not mentioned in pretty much any a93 "review"

[@froknowsphoto]

It’s understood that it’s a limitation. But it’s also possible there motors might not keep up.

[@PowerOnPlay]

“The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, and 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro are now all compatible with the a9 III’s 120 FPS drive mode, joining Sigma’s 28-70mm f/2.8, 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3, 100-400mm f/5-6.3, 150-600mm f/5-6.3, 35mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, and 500mm f/5.6 lenses. However, there is a significant caveat. The updates may allow these 10 Sigma lenses to work with the Sony a9 III when it shoots at 120 frames per second, but the lenses cannot continuously autofocus at this speed. Instead, the lenses are only compatible with 120 frames per second shooting when used in AF-S autofocus drive mode or with manual focus.”

[@Damian13188]

Awesome photos🎉

[@77dris]

Couldn't care less about Sony products, but still watching because Jarod's videos are super entertaining.

[@triedge6200]

Yeah i have a sony for work… and Nikon for personal stuff I love the Nikon colors but man is 1.2 annoying on nikon always misses the eyes

[@AntiHydra747]

He sounds exactly the same like you did 7 years ago this is crazy

[@thomasbatters]

Any thoughts on if a theoretical limit of the Sony mount could have contributed to it not being 1.2?

[@dccoletrain]

Would you stop down a lens if your fro depended on it…. lol

[@mmspixel]

Still love my Sigma ✋🙂‍↔️🤚

[@yokeshs8140]

🤩

[@jmp622]

Ronnie the limo driver in the civil war.

[@Vndrew_ARW]

Those images are outstanding. Love Sigma, but the look out of this lens is where it’s at.

[@thinkingape7655]

BeatTony to the upload by 2 min. 😅

[@darrow_andromeda915]

Who?

[@DavidStella]

@@darrow_andromeda915Tony

[@doopr1813]

sony oss pls omg canon for 20y does it

[@craigmontour9906]

What were the horizontal lines in the background of Ira’s photo? Looked kind of weird.

[@Richard_Bumblebee]

In the top left? The white area? That's the siding of a house.

[@craigmontour9906]

@@Richard_Bumblebee Yes at around 4:30. Makes sense.

[@roadtriprohan]

Sigma 85 1.4 does the same thing, $799 cheaper

[@javiervelazquez2857]

I already have 50mm 1.2 is there any reason to get this lens. I just feel that having both lenses, i would end up not using one of them.

[@clausgiloi6036]

Damn, those ARE good photos.

[@Bikerbeest]

These pictures are screaming for black and white

[@soyluisvalenzuela]

I haven't watch the video but le me guess... "It's not super pro because it's not f/1.2" haha

[@JoshStreetDesign]

When that horse was trotting towards him it couldn't keep the guys face locked in. See that's a problem with all these low f-stop lenses, they just struggle with holding focus on objects moving towards the camera. I do pretty well, but I deff wouldn't spend $900 plus tax over the sigma just for AF-C that barely works any better...dang.

[@jemenesk]

Damn you Sony. What we really nedd is a 85 1.2... that is what we need, to the trained eye there is a massive difference, and we do not care if it's 3 pounds. I carry a 105 mm 1.4 from sigma for 12+ hours, plus other plrimes, and I have never complained that lenses are too heavy because there is nothing out there that can match that image quality of a fast prime. If it's too heavy, go to the gym and stop making excuses about an extra 200 grams.

[@JoshStreetDesign]

100% agreed. I carry that 105 and the 35 1.2 WITH speedlights on top all day at weddings. I'll carry a lens the size of a trashcan if it gives me more DOF.

[@withoutpassid]

“We really need…” How many of “we” are there?

[@jemenesk]

@withoutpassid if you are questioning this then, definitely not you, nor anyone anyone in your circle, apparently. But pretty much, most of portraiture photographers use primes, so those. Plus, all the other professionals who actually do this every day for a living and need the specific look of a prime lens. Real pros have as many lenses as they can because they will need them at some point. But you are looking for a census, which you won't find any, anywhere. I do automotive portraiture and need that look in particular for specific purposes. Not all the time, obviously. There are looks no zoom or small aperture can mimic. If that was the case, there wouldn't be f0.75 and f0.95.

[@withoutpassid]

@@jemenesk Of course I’m not in your circle. I was just wondering how many of people in that circle out there. If the customer base is not large enough, there’s not enough incentive for Sony to make a 85 1.2 lens.

[@jemenesk]

@withoutpassid for perspective, keep in mind that Sony has already released primes that are over 8k dollars and up to 13k dollars, which the market for those is small compared to pretty much everything else. The 85 mm 1.2 would be priced around $2600 to $3000. I doubt they price it higher than the RF from Canon. But who knows, I am just guessing right now based on current lenses and previous prices. I hope they stay within the Nikon prices since I am literally waiting for one to come out to buy immediately. Anyway, to the point I was trying to make. $2.6k to $3k is not a high price for the majoriy of professionals, it is an average cost, and for most serious hobbyists in developed countries where the majority of the market for these lenses are, they can also afford it. This increases the market even further from just the professional photographers. The market is there, it has always been there for Sony. Sony has been too complacent when it comes to that lens and some other small things. Canon and Nikon released the 85 1.2 quickly, trying to gain territory in the mirrorles market. They know how important that lens is, hence why they didn't sleep on it.

[@morvegil]

Those reenactments are hilarious. Most civil war soldiers were a g age of 25...most of those guys are double that

[@Xirpzy]

True lol. The reenactment I was to had guys in the 25-30s except for 4 old ones. But I do like how older people look in photos tbh.

[@jmp622]

Real world =LOL

[@huntercoleman8036]

Yeah. Why would I buy this? Like the 50 1.4? When I know that they are just going to come out with a 1.2 anyway. Cheap bastards. Its 85mm 1.4 mark 2. So its obviosuly still got to be a 1.4 or else it wouldnt be a mark 2. 😂😂😂

[@Twothenines]

booger in your right nostril.

[@TimelessDigitalFilms]

3rd 😂

[@brysonsales]

27 seconds I’m first

[@goldenstasgs]

This lens has huge fringing

[@theindiancinelens]

first

[@vivalasvegas702]

GM = Garbage Material. Why is Sony keeps on putting aperture ring, yet still has massive focus breathing.