Lens Summary
Brand: Sony
Also Known As: Sony FE 85mm f/1.4
Lens Type: Prime Lens
Format: Full Frame / FX
Focus: Autofocus
Lens Mount: Sony E
Release Date: 2016-02-03
MSRP Price: $1799.99
Made in: Japan
Production Status: In Production
Lens Description: The Sony 85mm F1.4 GM features a new XA (extreme aspherical) element as well as three ED glass elements that work together to ensure that the in-focus areas are captured in extremely high resolution while the surrounding out-of-focus areas dissolve smoothly into a beautiful soft backdrop. It has a circular aperture with 11 blades – the most ever used in an Alpha lens – that ensures bokeh is smooth and visually appealing. Externally, the new model has Sony’s original Nano AR Coating, which is of particular importance in a portrait lens as it reduces flare and ghosting, even with backlit subjects or similarly challenging lighting conditions.For accurate autofocusing, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens includes a ring drive SSM motor system that provides ample power and speed to drive the lens’ large, heavy focus group. It’s also equipped with two position sensors to support flawless focus control of the large, heavy lens elements.This new professional portrait lens is dust and moisture resistant and also has an aperture ring with on/off switchable click stops that can be adjusted based on whether a user is shooting still images or movies. It also has an AF / MF switch and a focus hold button.
Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| * Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area | |
| Lens Type | Prime Lens |
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Mount Type | Sony E |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | Full Frame / APS-C |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 0.12x |
| Optical SteadyShot / AntiShake (Image Stabilization) | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | Yes |
| Maximim Aperture | f/16 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Maximum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 19° |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 29° |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 11 |
| Lens Groups | 8 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
| Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Elements | 3 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| Nano AR Coating | Yes |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | No |
| Direct Drive Super Sonic wave Motor (DDSSM) | Yes |
| Internal Focusing | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 77mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | Yes |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 89.5 x 107.5mm |
| Weight | 820 g / 28.92 oz |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
| Supplied Accessories | Hood (ALC-SH142), Lens front cap (ALC-F77S), Lens rear cap (ALC-R1EM), Case |
Lens Construction
MTF Chart
Optically great, maybe, but noisy and flawed.
The AF motor makes a whopping noise going from infinity to focus.
Worse, in AF-C mode (which is required for EyeAF) it vibrates as the back button is held in, as if continuously refocussing.
This vibration can be seen a blurring in the images at lower shutter speeds.
I have 2x brand new copies here to test and 2x A7R II bodies.
This is consistent behavior.
Also, for what it’s worth, the Nikon 105 F1.4 is better on the A7r II, with the caveat that it can only be shot at F1.4 due to the electronic diaphragm.
The 85mm f1.4 is a fantastic prime lens. I kept it on my a7ii for portrait work. When I do take out on sunny days I wish I had f22 for some extended DOF. Other wise this is a great lens and would recommend that all Sony shooters have it their arsenal even though it is a bit pricey.