Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II for Weddings - Hands-On Review (vs Sony 85/1.4 GM)

[@frankfeng2701]

8:08 GM1 probably has the smoothest 85 f/1.4 bokeh of all time, which is why it is still so popular despite its shortcomings.

[@Snerkler1]

I've seen several videos now demonstrating how the bokeh on the GM II is not as smooth, and the bokeh balls not as large when compared to both the GM and Sigma DG DN but I've also noticed in every one, when mounted to a tripod therefore camera in the same position the GM II has a wider frame therefore I'm wondering if it's a true 85mm or more like an 82mm or 83mm which cou;d explain the difference in bokeh. Maybe if the shots were framed exactly the same rather than mounted in the same place the bokeh would be more similar? For example if you look at your shots at 8:20 the tower is slightly closer on the GM photo.

[@Mardukface]

I see that at 7:22 the Demagorgon is minimally sharper at the GMII, but either the focal point is different in the two images or the GMI does a better job and focuses more precisely in a larger area, because if I look closely, it is on the roof, the bottom row cube is needle sharp on the GMI, the GMII is obscure, as is the steering wheel too. I wouldn't say "Huge improvement" at all, as it is said in the video. I like GMI better.

[@davidamiel1908]

I recently purchased the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM I. There are some interesting points and advantages or improvements of this second version such as better autofocus and sharpness, The previous version is very sharp but for example the 50mm 1.4 and the 70-200 are sharper to my eyes. However there is something special of this GM I lens (The character) the defines it and in an holistic definition it defines the whole image (The whole is more than the sum of its parts). So I guess I would not change into the second version. Perhaps I would buy the 135mm 1.8 if I look for sharpness and better image isolation.

[@tschopp23]

What is causing the blobs in the bokeh balls at 1:45? Is that dirt on the back of the lens of something internal in the lens?

[@jeroenvdw]

I'm considering this lens since I want a new 85mm for months, been waiting for this lens to come out, but the price is criminal

[@cameraprepper7938]

I have been using the excellent Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* untill now, I did miss an aperture ring and a AF/MF switch, sometimes I could see the missig resolution for my 60 megapixels Cameras, so I bought the new Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II which is a GREAT performing Lens, it has outstanding good optical image quality, it is sharper than the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM which I also have, so I can recommend the new Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II, only downside is that it is heavier than my Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T*, but I will wear that weight knowing how good the Sony are !

[@jbdlr13]

Would it changed your mind of buying this if it was a 1.2? And can you please make another comparison video about this 85mm 1.4 gm ii vs 50mm gm 1.2? Thank you 👍🏽

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Not sure to be honest. Cause it’s not my focal length. I used to have Canons 85/1.2 L and it was gathering dust.

[@bjornoswald3469]

@@MagicWeddingPhotographer I'd say that is a clear "no it wouldn't change your mind" ;-)

[@cameraprepper7938]

Aperture 1.2 would only make it bigger and heavier ! If you compare fx the Sony 50mm 1.2 GM to the Sony 50mm 1.4, then the 1.4 performs better at a lower price, lower weight and in a more compact body.

[@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

[@phanMjPandj]

Hello magic! Does your previous installation affect the zoom lens? Because the wedding venue I'm in has a very narrow space! I hope you can reply to me. I want to buy the pre-installation package, but I'm hesitant because I'm currently using the zoom lens for my a73 camera. I am currently in Vietnam.

[@DevonLad]

Magic - A really big question... is the sharpness 'clinical', like the 90mm macro, or is there still that lovely softness that I love with the old 85mm?

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

@@DevonLad no lovely softness

[@TW-iu9zy]

… to get „lovely softness“ I use a mist filter. 😏 Without I want a sharp image when using the 85 GM II.

[@nickwilliams7867]

With all of Sonys MKII lenses they are smaller, lighter, faster and sharper than the last one.

[@Sherquant]

Hi Magic, great review once again. Would you be doing a long term review or say after 10k photos using A9III camera?

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Hey! You mean long term review of Sony A9III? Yup, for sure!

[@lamiafarjana1990]

which lens are you using when you are showing the buttons on the lens?

[@adrianlammers1229]

Any plans to have your preset on AfterShoot as well? 😅

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

@@adrianlammers1229 sadly nope :(

[@Revan89]

Hi Maciej. How can I use your Imagen AI talent profile if I already bought your preset like a couple of years ago. I can't figure out where to find it. Is not showcased in the Imagen app or website. Thanks

[@JosefFoti]

I would somehow love to love this lens but I have to admit I expected it to be under 600 g and also, in Czech money it's unfortunately more expensive than the old one was. Actually, I'm quite a big fan of the old one, although it's definitely on the heavier side and it's not super comfy to carry it around all day long at a wedding but the somehow vintage Minolta look has something to it. What I'm absolutely sure about though, is that I need to test it and see the results for myself. Maybe I will be more excited after that.

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Do you shoot with 85mm a lot?

[@JosefFoti]

@@MagicWeddingPhotographer Yes, quite a lot.

[@HK-NYC]

silent enough for high speed sports video? Thanks

[@TW-iu9zy]

… yes, absolutely.

[@12josemanuel12]

Me encantaría poder ver una comparativa entre este y el z 85 1.2 de nikon

[@bjornoswald3469]

Thanks for the review! In short: Great new lens but if you already own a 85mm be it Sigma f1.4 or Sony GM Mark I ... 99,9% no need for upgrade. Only for those who need the super fast focus and potential high fps. To be honest even owning the 85mm f1.8 (got it over the 85m GM because it was focussing much quicker and the image quality is pretty good while also I'm thinking 1) nobody cares what I've shot with and 2) probably nobody can notice the difference in reality). So I'll probably skip this one. For me F1.2 would have been tempting as it offers something more unique. But on the other hand the 50mm F1.2 already does that as well. I'm hoping to see some new tele zooms from sony (Update to 100-400mm GM or a new 100-500mm would be even more interesting!). But I guess those are not lenses you'd review haha ;-)

[@TW-iu9zy]

… main reasons to upgrading: better and faster AF for my journalistic work with the a1 and a9 III and for my video work - so at the moment it’s the best option for me. 😏

[@frankfeng2701]

​@@TW-iu9zy A very niche market. Even then 70-200 usually gets the job done better than 85.

[@TW-iu9zy]

@@frankfeng2701… no, first: journalism is no nice, sports and wildlife maybe, but not general journalism. in germany are working nearly 20.000 journalists (of cause not all Sony shooters 😊). second: And most of my Sony colleagues were waiting for a fast Sony 85 f1.4 lens (in terms of AF performance). and third: Mostly of them didn’t shoot 3rd party lenses behause the are members of the Sony Prosupprt.

[@sikapacapture]

It seems the noise is the only thing that I will wish gone in the old version, else it is pretty okay for me

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

@@sikapacapture …and speed, but that depends on what and how you shoot

[@JosefFoti]

@@MagicWeddingPhotographer Actually, if you shoot mostly portraits and thus you don't focus back and forth all the time, the lens doesn't slow you down. Also, I used it to shoot dancers and I was surprised to see that on the A7 IV body it was able to keep up with them. I think that the talk about the lens being slow is actually stronger than the reality.

[@FrancescoPaggiaro]

The lego demogorgon 😂 a lego castle fan here ❤ anyway very cool the new speed of this lens, a very good upgrade for pro photographers.

[@flol3266]

Could you maybe explain in a video why you shoot only 35/50? The difference is so marginal. And maybe explain which to choose in which situation?

[@nickwilliams7867]

search his video's for great examples of the focal lengths he uses

[@vergesslich82]

GM 85mm Mark 1 is now, in comparison, a vintage lens.

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

@@vergesslich82 haha very true

[@hikertrashfilms]

I own the α1, but I would not invest in the 85GMII even with the more clinical look with less LoCA and better sharpness. It lost it’s special character, just as when Canon switched from the 200 f/1.8 to the 200 f/2. I would rather use my 135GM or 50GM f/1.2 over this new 85GMII because those two lenses have all the speed to unleash the α1 & are razor sharp. The 85GM was the softest GM, but it had a special character about it, just like my 50 1.2. This new 85GMII looks identical to the 50 1.4, which is a step down from the real GM in my opinion. They need to bring back leaded glass in lens construction. Those lenses with leaded glass had a character that is unmatched by what the industry puts out today. Good video

[@matrixate]

The original had "that" look which everyone liked. It was sharp but has a subtle sidtness that required less aggressive frequency separation for glamor shots. I can't justify getting this lens.

[@matrixate]

If it was f1.2, then I would consider it. Since it's not, I'm keeping my 85GMi and use the money for something else.

[@albertogvphoto]

I am also 35 and 50 preferably without a doubt

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

@@albertogvphoto you and me both my friend!

[@JasonPierceOfficial]

Thanks for the review bro!

[@User-shmuzer-n6b]

haha. i just bought a sigma a week ago because i got tired of waiting gII

[@kemarbell]

Let’s talk about the price im keeping my sigma

[@kartsofficial1]

Definitely not worth the hype. F1.2 would’ve been better

[@TW-iu9zy]

… I can’t see any hype - but I see an amazing lens. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@frankfeng2701]

The most disappointing GM2 lens so far. After 8 years, we expect an f/1.2. If size is their concern, then they should've updated f/1.8 which is also 7 years old.

[@TW-iu9zy]

@@frankfeng2701 … no, it’s a good decision to update all the old GM lenses before launching a new ones like f1.2 versions. It’s not like the 50 f1.2 GM, because there was no 50 f1.4 GM to update - only the outdated ZA model.

[@TW-iu9zy]

@@frankfeng2701 … a 85 f1.2 would not be a GM2 - it’s like the 50 f1.2 and the 50 f1.4 a „mark one“ version. So the 85 GM II is not a disappointing GM2 lens, ist a great GM2 lens.

[@frankfeng2701]

@@TW-iu9zy It would've been a great GM2 lens two years ago. But now the expectation is higher. Timing is just as important as the product itself.

[@frankfeng2701]

@@TW-iu9zy And "most disappointing" doesn't mean it's not good. But compared to the other three GM2 lenses, it is lackluster and has the least upgrade from GM1.

[@TW-iu9zy]

@@frankfeng2701 … I will get my 85 GM II tomorrow (living in Germany) and try it. For me as journalist it gives me some benefits. it’s lighter and (a bit) smaller, sharper, especially in the corners and has way faster (up to 120 fps with the a9 III) and quite AF - mostly the same benefits like the other GM2 versions. I was never a fan of the bulky and slow old 85 GM. 🤷🏼‍♂️