Sony’s Updated 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens

The eagerly anticipated update to Sony’s 85mm f/1.4 G Master lens has finally arrived. But does this new version’s enhanced optics, build, and performance justify an upgrade? Here’s why I believe it definitely does.

Build Quality

Sony’s G Master lenses are renowned for their exceptional build quality, and the new FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II is no different. It’s notably lighter than its predecessor while maintaining a solid, compact feel.

Key aspects of the 85mm f/1.4 GM II’s build include:

• Dust and moisture resistance
• 20% lighter than the original 85mm f/1.4 GM
• 14 optical elements in 11 groups
• 2 XA (Extreme Aspherical) elements
• 2 ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) elements
• 11-blade circular aperture for beautifully soft bokeh
• Nano AR coating to reduce flare and ghosting
• 2 XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear motors for fast, smooth, and silent autofocus in both photo and video modes. Supports 120 FPS burst and 4K 120P
• De-clickable aperture ring with an iris lock
• 2 customizable focus hold buttons

Performance

The Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II is designed with top-notch performance in mind. It boasts precision optics that deliver exquisite bokeh and sharp, detailed images across the frame.

The lens features Sony’s latest ultra-fast XD linear focusing motors, offering silent and rapid autofocus, especially effective with their high-speed cameras like the a9 III, a1, and a7C R.

Compared to the original 85mm f/1.4 GM, the GM II offers 3 times faster autofocus speed for stills and a 7 times improvement in subject tracking for video.

I tested the lens in various settings. The silent and precise autofocus was impressive, and I encountered no issues even in low light at a high-end private fashion show.

The de-clickable aperture ring and the linear-response manual focus ring were particularly valuable for me as a hybrid shooter. These features allowed me to manage exposures efficiently and make precise manual adjustments, crucial for shooting video in dynamic conditions.

The image quality was outstanding, the build felt premium, and its performance surpassed that of the original 85GM by a significant margin.

Conclusion

At €1,699, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II is a high-end prime lens aimed at professionals and enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance. It joins Sony’s updated lineup of f/1.4 primes, complementing the FE 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm f/1.4 GM lenses.

With its beautiful bokeh and color rendition, the lens offers a perfect balance between fall-off and detail. Plus, its increased speed and compact size make it an excellent choice for portraits, travel, sports, wildlife, weddings, and more.

For photographers and videographers in search of a versatile lens that delivers outstanding image quality, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II is a top contender.