Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II review: What Makes it Stand Out for Portraits?

Introduction

Portrait photographers are constantly in search of lenses that offer a perfect balance of sharpness, bokeh, and speed. The Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is a lens that has captured the attention of professionals for its remarkable ability to deliver spectacular portrait images. With the high expectations set by its predecessor, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM, this new iteration brings significant improvements. This review dives deep into the lens’s design, optical performance, autofocus capabilities, and user experience to determine if it truly lives up to the hype.

Design and Build Quality

One of the first noticeable aspects of the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is its design. It’s lighter and more compact compared to the first-generation model. Weighing just 516 grams, the new version is significantly lighter than its predecessor, making it easier to handle during long shooting sessions. Its 99mm length and 87mm diameter contribute to its compact design, adding to its portability. These physical changes are welcome, especially for photographers who spend long hours on shoots or prefer to travel light without sacrificing performance.

Another crucial feature is the weather sealing, which protects the lens from dust, moisture, and light splashes. For outdoor photographers, especially those who often work in unpredictable weather conditions, this level of protection is essential for maintaining equipment longevity.

Lens Weight Comparison:

• Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II: 516g
• Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM: 820g

The weight reduction has improved the handling experience while maintaining the same sturdy, premium feel that users expect from Sony’s G Master series.

Optical Performance

When it comes to optical performance, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II shines. The lens is built with Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements and Extreme Aspherical (XA) elements, which help reduce chromatic aberrations and ensure high resolution across the entire frame. The result is impressive image clarity, even when shooting wide open at f/1.4.

A key feature of this lens is the Nano AR Coating II, which significantly reduces flare and ghosting, even in challenging lighting situations. This is particularly useful for portrait photographers who often shoot in backlit environments or during the golden hour.

Bokeh Quality Test:

Portrait photography enthusiasts will appreciate the lens’s ability to create beautiful, creamy bokeh. The 11-blade circular diaphragm enhances the out-of-focus areas, making backgrounds melt away while keeping the subject tack-sharp. This makes the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II perfect for isolating subjects in portrait shots and adding a professional aesthetic to the images.

Additionally, the sharpness of the lens remains consistent across various aperture settings, allowing photographers to maintain excellent detail at both wide apertures and smaller ones, depending on their creative needs.

Autofocus Capabilities

Autofocus speed and accuracy are critical in portrait photography, and the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II excels in this regard. Thanks to four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors, the autofocus is both faster and quieter than the previous model. This improvement makes it ideal for capturing spontaneous moments, especially during dynamic portrait sessions where subjects may move unexpectedly.

One of the standout features is the AI-driven Eye Detection AF, which ensures that the eyes of your subject are always in perfect focus. For portrait photographers, eye sharpness is non-negotiable, and this lens ensures you never miss the mark. Even in low-light conditions or fast-moving shoots, the lens maintains precision, delivering stunning portraits every time.

Bokeh Effects and Focus Breathing Control

Bokeh refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, and it plays a vital role in portrait photography. The Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II offers some of the best bokeh effects you’ll find in its class. Thanks to its wide f/1.4 aperture and 11 diaphragm blades, the lens produces soft, creamy bokeh that perfectly complements the sharpness of the in-focus subject. This creates a striking separation between the subject and background, allowing for stunning, professional-looking portraits.

Focus breathing, a common issue in lenses that causes a slight zoom effect when adjusting focus, is controlled well in the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II. Sony has implemented focus breathing suppression to minimize changes in framing while focusing. This is especially useful in video work or when shooting portraits where you want consistent composition.

Pros:

1. Exceptional Optical Quality: The lens offers superior sharpness and clarity, thanks to its ED and XA elements that minimize chromatic aberrations and deliver high-resolution images.
2. Lightweight and Compact: Weighing just 516g, the lens is significantly lighter than its predecessor, making it easier to handle during extended shoots.
3. Beautiful Bokeh: With its wide f/1.4 aperture and 11-blade diaphragm, the lens produces creamy and pleasing bokeh, perfect for portrait photography.
4. Fast and Accurate Autofocus: The lens features four XD linear motors, offering fast, quiet, and precise autofocus, which is crucial for dynamic portrait sessions.
5. Weather Sealing: The lens is equipped with weather sealing, protecting it from dust and moisture, making it suitable for outdoor photography in various conditions.
6. Excellent Eye Detection AF: Paired with Sony’s cameras, the Eye Detection AF ensures perfect focus on your subject’s eyes, making it ideal for portrait photography.
7. Focus Breathing Control: The lens includes technology to suppress focus breathing, which helps maintain consistent framing when adjusting focus.
8. Smooth Handling: Ergonomically designed with easy-to-access controls like an aperture ring and focus hold button, enhancing usability during fast-paced shoots.

Cons:

1. High Price: The lens is quite expensive, which may not fit the budget of hobbyist or beginner photographers.
2. Lacks Image Stabilization: There’s no built-in image stabilization, so using the lens in low-light conditions might require a tripod or a camera with in-body stabilization.
3. Still Heavy Compared to Other Lenses: While lighter than its predecessor, the lens might still feel heavy for some users, especially when paired with larger camera bodies.
4. Limited to Portrait and Low-Light Scenarios: Although it excels in portrait photography, the fixed 85mm focal length can be limiting for other types of photography, such as landscape or street photography.
5. Expensive Accessories: Some accessories, such as filters or lens hoods, may be costly due to the lens’s size and premium quality.

Quick specs

Compatibility with Different Camera Systems

The Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is designed for Sony’s full-frame E-mount cameras, but it also works with APS-C camera formats. When paired with an APS-C sensor, the equivalent focal length becomes 127mm, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to achieve more telephoto perspectives in portrait photography.

The lens performs exceptionally well when paired with Sony’s high-performance cameras, such as the Sony A9 III. The combination of the camera’s fast processing power and the lens’s sharp autofocus ensures that you’ll be able to capture quick movements and expressions with ease.

User Experience Insights from Professional Photographers

Professional photographers who have tested the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II consistently praise its handling and usability. The lightweight design makes it comfortable for long shoots, and the intuitive placement of controls, such as the aperture ring and focus hold button, adds to its overall ease of use.

Ergonomically, the lens is well-balanced, even when mounted on heavier camera bodies. Photographers have found that the lens’s ability to switch between manual and autofocus with ease is crucial during fast-paced shooting scenarios, where adjustments need to be made on the fly.

In terms of overall usability, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II offers a seamless experience, making it a go-to choice for portrait photographers who need a reliable lens that delivers both performance and comfort.

Conclusion: Is the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II Worth It?

In conclusion, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is undoubtedly one of the best portrait lenses available in the market today. Its combination of lightweight design, superior optical performance, fast and accurate autofocus, and stunning bokeh effects make it a top choice for both amateur and professional portrait photographers. The improvements in autofocus speed, weight reduction, and optical quality compared to its predecessor make it a worthy investment for anyone serious about portrait photography.

If you’re looking for a lens that delivers spectacular portraits with beautiful background separation and flawless focus, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is an excellent choice. Its price point may be high, but the performance and image quality it offers make it a lens that will stand the test of time, ensuring that your portrait work remains top-notch for years to come.